Inspired by military manufacturing practices, America’s standardised watch manufacturing idea was a trailblazing one in the 19th cenutry. It turned away from the European établissage system, preferring to produce interchangeable components in huge factories. Albeit starting off quite crude compared to Swiss counterparts, American railroad watches of the late 19th and early 20th centuries became renowned for their accuracy, Bulova’s and Gruen’s Art Deco design language dominated the Roaring Twenties. The former’s Accutron looked like it was about to revolutionise timekeeping again, and Hamilton was making LED watches before anyone else. And yet, it all came crashing down even before Japanese watchmaking shook the world in 1969, with the final American-owned hold-outs opting for off-shore production. Rather than focus on the downfall of American watchmaking, this article is meant to celebrate it, so let’s do just that, with nine brands that are looking to bring horology back to the US in a big way.
1776 Atelier
With bases in Texas and Ohio, 1776 Atelier is as independent as its name suggests, run by self-taught watchmaker (though also trained by Philippe Narbel) Jason Lu and WOSTEP graduate Zach Smith. Production runs are small, details are plentiful and well-considered, as is the transparency around which components are manufactured in-house and which come from specialist suppliers. All in all, then, an haute horlogerie independent brand by all descriptions.
Autodromo
If you’re a car racing fan of any description, there’s a high chance that Autodromo will have something for you in their catalogue. Driven by the nostalgia for an era of racing where safety was nominal and risk guaranteed, their collections have been inspired by everything from early Grand Prix racing to specific series like the monsters of Group B and Group C categories – the Group C Turbo Sport is an unsurprising addition to the list of our favourite releases of 2026.
Avoirdupois
Named after the pound-weighing-16-ounces measuring system that, despite becoming obsolete in most places, is still in use in America today, Avoirdupois is a Manhattan-based brand that is all about American manufacturing. Founder James Stumpf may have started with five-figure, MCM-meet-space-age furniture, their latest obsession being the Force Majeure, a no holds barred mechanical wristwatch made entirely in New York City that is truly unlike any other, with a completely novel calibre architecture.
J.N. Shapiro
When talking about people responsible for the revived interest in American-made watches, one cannot go without mentioning Joshua Shapiro. Starting off as a third-party producer of engine-turned dials in a California garage, Shapiro has since made strides in working with high-end materials, producing the first-ever non-Swiss tantalum watches. His pursuit culminated with the Resurgence, a watch made completely in-house, including dial, case, and movement.
Keaton P. Myrick
A WOSTEP graduate and experienced watch restorer, Myrick produces no more than a dozen watches per year, using age-old techniques and machinery in combination with modern design software. Like many independent, the starting point was a Unitas manually-wound calibre, but Myrick redesigned most of it, and makes most of it in-house – including the sonnerie-style, blued winding click and hairspring – to the point where its roots are hardly recognisable.
Lorier
Masters in managing a vintage-inspired release, Lorier has long been an enthusiast favourite for their affordable collection. Anchored in the design sensibilities of the 1950s, their four main offerings echo the popular cues of those times, but with materials that will last – think Bakelite, but better. If you needed any more proof of their desirability, the fact that Worn & Wound decided to purchase the brand should say enough.
RGM
As one of the OGs of new-school American indie watchmaking, Roland G. Murphy and his brand RGM have amassed quite a following over the years – and for good reason. They were one of the first to explore US-made calibres after the downfall of the successful American watch industry, modelling their designs on the fine pocket watches that defined that bygone era. The (Unitas-derived) 801 and 801-based Pennsylvania Tourbillon are RGM’s greatest achievements, with some 90% of the components produced by RGM, in the US, while their other watches rely on third-party Swiss calibres from the likes of Sellita.
Traska
All cased in hardened steel, with excellent case finishing and design that strikes a perfect balance between unobtrusive and present – would be the way I describe Traska in just a sentence. Founded in 2018 by Floridian Jon Mack, they’re hyper-aware of their strong standing with enthusiasts and readily admit that their customers’ “friends have never heard of this small, independent brand. And they’re just fine with that.” To their credit, this confidence is well-founded in Traska’s excellent product.
Weiss Watch Company
Founder Cameron Weiss created his eponymous brand in 2013 after training in both Switzerland and the States, cutting his teeth under names like Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin. Hand-assembly has been his motto since the very beginnings, growing from a cleared-out dinner table to a purpose-built Tennessee workshop capable of movement finishing and assembly using modified ETA 2892 and 7001 calibres.
