These are 10 of the best watch brands from the Netherlands

Did you know that the Netherlands have yielded some impressive watchmaking over the last decade? If you didn’t, you’re about to find out. The country’s horological history stretches back centuries, most notably as far back as the mid-1600s to a gent by the name of Christiaan Huygens, an astronomer and mathematician. Amongst studying Saturn and discovering its largest moon, he also invented the pendulum clock, which remained the most accurate timekeeping device for hundreds of years. Nearly 400 years later, the Dutch continue this tradition, though not in the same way that watchmaking powerhouses like Switzerland, Japan, or even Germany conduct their business. Instead, the approach is a lot more considered, with a heightened appreciation for small-scale, artisanal production.

Christian Van der Klaauw

Becoming a member of AHCI (the independent watchmaker association) in 1989, Van der Klaauw is best known for his astronomical complications, first used in clocks, and as of 1996, wristwatches. While he retired in 2009, his brand and legacy continue under the care of long-time collaborators Maria and Daniël Reintjes, and is now exclusively focused on astronomical wristwatches alongside Pim Koeslag in the role of master watchmaker. Van der Klaauw’s Planetarium and its many variants are the brand’s best-known pieces, twice awarded the GPHG – in 2018 for their collaboration with Van Cleef and Arpels, and again in 2021 under the CVDK name.

Dingemans Mechanische Horloges

Founded by Fred Dingemans whose enthusiasm stemmed from his father’s old machines, d.m.h. is a brand with a distinctly brutalist aesthetic, relying on new-old-stock Tenor-Dorly calibres. Dingemans makes everything else himself, while the vintage movements are made usable by watchmaker Frans de Groot. With every watch fully made to order for each customer, you can go with either a classic three hander, or d.m.h.’s signature, the quirky jump hour. The best thing of all is that, by using NOS calibres, the prices are incredibly approachable for such a highly-customisable and hand-made product, starting right around A$4,000.

De Rijke & Co.

Here’s yet another Dutch watchmaker that has made the 2 o’clock (ish) crown their signature, and this time we’re talking about De Rijke. The Amalfi garnered plenty of interest when it initially launched, but its party trick is that you don’t have to have the crown in such a position, as it can slide all along the right-hand side of the case. The result is a 45-degree twisted dial akin to some drivers’ watches of the past, which supposedly made it easier for them to check the time while gripping onto a wide-rimmed wooden steering wheel. What’s even better are the champlevé enamel dials these come with. That’s not the extent of De Rijke’s offering, however, as the Dutch micro recently launched the Capri, their slinky rectangular dress watch with a fantastic piece of curved sapphire crystal on the front.

Dunselman

One of the latest introductions into the Dutch independent scene is Annelinde Dunselman and her wonderful Black Tulip. After an internship with JLC, and three-year stint with fellow Dutch masters at Grönefeld (spoiler for the next entry on the list), Dunselman’s first independent effort honours the elusiveness of the yet-non-existent flower, chasing perfection but never quite getting there. Honestly, I’m not quite sure where she’s getting that from, because the D202.5 calibre is as well-considered as I’ve seen, especially so for a first effort. All the signatures of a true, high-end independent are there, but extend to more than just the movement. We’ve begun taking for granted things like hand-skeletonised, bevelled bridges (look at the multiple steps on that escape wheel cock!), black-polished steel components etc., but the subtly repeating tulip motifs and those stunning hands cement Dunselman as one to watch in the near future.

Grönefeld

The horological brothers are likely the best-known independent watchmakers to come from the Netherlands, and for good reason. Tim and Bart are third-generation watchmakers, their grandfather and father being responsible for maintaining the clock of Oldenzaal’s St Plechelmus basilica while also running a watch shop. Like many others, their path took them from watchmaking schools to some of Switzerland’s most renowned workshops – in the case of the Grönefeld, that was Renaud et Papi. Their first effort was the 2008 GTM-06 Tourbillon Minute Repeater, which would mark the beginning of a very successful career spanning multiple world-firsts and several GPHG awards. These days, their orders books are closed until further notice.

Holthinrichs

Setting themselves apart from other independents, Holthinrichs became one of the pioneers in horological 3D printing, and built their know-how from there. Founder Michiel Holthinrichs trained as an architect and was a watch collector, and you can see these influences in the sculptural shapes of the brand’s cases. Now a decade in, the brand has continued their pursuit to forward 3D-printing tech, but has also pursued haute horlogerie efforts with the Ornament Nouveau’s titanium powder case and first serially-produced Dutch movement with an in-house designed escapement and glass bridge.

Hulsman

Machiel Hulsman is a watchmaker that doesn’t get nearly as much coverage as he deserves, the banker-turned-watchmaker taking a mere seven years to go from enrolling in watchmaking school to finishing a from-scratch tourbillon. Lots of his work included custom-made, one-off pieces – including a 38-time zone watch with automatic daylight saving, triple axis tourbillon, and in his words, the most complicated watch ever made. Of the creations that have made it to public eyes, there’s the Marie-Elise three-hander, Easy Perpetual calendar synchronised via the crown, and the Tourbillon Solstitium with retrograde minutes and jumping hours.

Ketelaars

Young Dutch watchmaker Stefan Ketelaars has made his the three-dimensional display of the Earth his signature, relying on heavily modified Unitas movements for the most part, going as far as relocating the balance to the front of the watch. However, ever since he founded the brand back in 2017, he’s also been developing the in-house Terra Luna calibre, which is nearing completion after a decade in development. Impressively, all of the design and manufacturing is done in-house, with the intricate details of the two globes hand-engraved.

Sero

An amalgam of its founders’ names (Sergino and Robert), Sero Watch Company has been around since 2023, though presenting their first-ever watch only in February 2026. The Signature was enough to get them a spot on this list, however, with its hand-wound Sellita movement, compact case (37.5mm x 9.5mm), and engraved Arabics on the dial presenting a ton of horological value.

VPC

The brainchild of a true enthusiast, VPC was founded by Fratello writer and devout vintage enthusiast Thomas van Straaten. You can’t get much more for-watch-nerd-by-watch-nerd than this to be honest, as every detail seems to scream “big brands, are you listening?”. Case sizes don’t exceed 38mm, thicknesses are kept to an absolute minimum (a point driven home by what is likely the thinnest 200-metre diver on the market), and with things like typefaces and bevels obsessed over – we can’t wait to see what the next release will be for this exciting microbrand.