These brands were key players in America’s watch industry from the 19th to mid-20th centuries. Many are now defunct or foreign-owned.
1. Waltham Watch Company – Founded 1850, Massachusetts
Pioneered industrialized watchmaking with interchangeable parts; produced over 40 million timepieces before closing in 1957.
2. Elgin National Watch Company – Founded 1864, Illinois
One of the largest U.S. watchmakers; known for durable pocket watches and wristwatches before closing in the 1960s.
3. Hamilton Watch Company – Founded 1892, Pennsylvania
Became known for railroad and military watches; now Swiss-owned but retains American roots and heritage styling.
4. Ingersoll Watch Company – Founded 1892, New York
Introduced the affordable “Dollar Watch”; played a major role in democratizing watch ownership.
5. Bulova – Founded 1875, New York
Revolutionized precision with the Accutron tuning fork movement in 1960; now owned by Citizen (Japan), but with deep American heritage.
6. Gruen Watch Company – Founded 1894, Ohio
Prestigious early 20th-century brand; known for innovative cases and precision. Defunct since the 1950s.
7. Benrus – Founded 1921, New York
Supplied watches to the U.S. military; known for robust field and dive watches. Revived multiple times.
8. Howard Watch Co. – Founded 1858, Boston
One of the earliest premium American watchmakers; known for precision and quality.
🇺🇸 Modern & Revived American Watchmakers
These brands emerged or were revived after the decline of the U.S. watch industry and are part of a recent resurgence in American watchmaking.
9. Timex – Founded 1854 (as Waterbury Clock Co.), Connecticut
Once known as “Takes a licking and keeps on ticking,” Timex remains a major affordable watch brand with U.S. origins.
10. Shinola – Founded 2011, Detroit
Assembles watches in the U.S. using imported movements; positioned as a lifestyle brand with a focus on American manufacturing.
11. Weiss Watch Company – Founded 2013, California
Produces hand-assembled mechanical watches with American-made components; traditional craftsmanship.
12. RGM Watch Company – Founded 1992, Pennsylvania
One of the few American brands making in-house mechanical movements; produces high-end, classically styled watches.
13. Vortic Watch Company – Founded 2013, Colorado
Specializes in restoring antique American pocket watch movements and fitting them into wristwatch cases—“American made from American history.”
14. Oak & Oscar – Founded 2015, Chicago
Boutique brand known for limited-edition watches with U.S.-based assembly and design.
15. Autodromo – Founded 2011, New York
Inspired by vintage motorsports; stylish, retro-modern timepieces designed in the U.S., manufactured abroad.
16. Martenero – Founded 2014, New York
Independent microbrand offering bold, modern watch designs with automatic movements.
