When it comes to affordability, practicality and durability, American watchmakers have been stepping up their game in recent years. In ‘Our Best American Watch Brands of 2025’, we’ll dive into the standout companies redefining what it means to build a timepiece with American roots. From heritage-inspired designs to cutting-edge horology, these brands are proving that Swiss dominance isn’t the only story worth telling. Whether you’re a collector or simply curious, this year’s top contenders offer something impressive for every wrist. Let’s dive in!
Our Best American Watch Brands of 2025
Hamilton
Hamilton Watch Company was founded in 1892 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, initially gaining fame for producing accurate pocket watches for the American railroad industry. The brand quickly adapted to the needs of the military, supplying wristwatches during World War I and over a million timepieces to U.S. forces in World War II. This legacy of precision led to innovations like the Ventura in 1957—the world’s first electric watch—famously worn by Elvis Presley, and the Pulsar in 1970, the first digital LED watch.
In 1969, Hamilton moved its production to Switzerland and joined the Swatch Group in 1974. Today, the brand blends American heritage with Swiss craftsmanship, offering innovative timepieces with extended power reserves and specialised aviation models. Hamilton watches also maintain a strong presence in film, appearing in major movies such as Interstellar and Tenet.
Our Hamilton Pick: Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic
This Hamilton watch is for those who brave the outdoors and seek adventure. Featuring a navy blue sunray dial with white Arabic numerals and luminous silver-tone hands, it blends military heritage with contemporary design. The dial also features a date aperture at 3 o’clock for added practicality. Encased in stainless steel and protected by a sapphire crystal, the 42mm case houses the automatic H-10 calibre movement. This movement offers great accuracy and reliability thanks to its 80-hour power reserve. And for an added touch, the wearer can view this movement through the exhibition case back. A brown calf leather strap completes the design of this timepiece. Moreover, the watch is water-resistant up to 100 metres, making it more than suitable for everyday wear.
Ball Watch
Ball Watch Company was founded in 1891 by Webb C Ball in response to a tragic train collision in Kipton, Ohio, caused by a stopped watch. Appointed as Chief Time Inspector, Ball established the “RR Standard,” setting stringent criteria for railroad timepieces. This criterion comprised specifications like a minimum of 17 jewels, adjustment to five positions, as well as a maximum deviation of 30 seconds per week. Not only did these standards enhance railroad safety, but they also influenced global timekeeping practices; laying the groundwork for modern chronometer certifications.
Today, headquartered in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Ball Watch Company continues its legacy of precision and innovation. The brand is renowned for its self-powered tritium gas tubes, providing continuous luminosity for up to 25 years without external charging. Ball’s collections, such as the Engineer, Trainmaster, and Roadmaster series, combine rugged functionality with refined design, embodying the company’s motto: “Accuracy under adverse conditions.”
Our Ball Watch Pick: Ball Watch Company Engineer III Marvelight Chronometer
This precision-engineered timepiece combines robust functionality with refined aesthetics. Crafted from 904L stainless steel, the 40mm case offers exceptional corrosion resistance as well as a polished finish. The watch features an ice-blue dial with 14 micro gas tubes; ensuring continuous luminosity for up to 25 years without external charging. A magnified date window also features at 3 o’clock, adding practicality to its design. A COSC-certified Ball RR1103-C automatic movement powers the watch. It delivers a 40-hour power reserve and operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, so it will never let you down. A sleek stainless steel bracelet concludes the design of this timepiece. Additionally, with water resistance up to 100 metres and anti-magnetic protection rated to 1,000 Gauss, it’s built to perform reliably in both professional settings and daily life.
Timex
Timex traces its origins to 1854 with the founding of the Waterbury Clock Company in Connecticut. The company aimed to produce affordable timepieces for the masses; distinguishing itself from the more expensive European watchmakers. In 1941, Norwegian industrialist Thomas Olsen acquired the company, and by 1950, the brand name “Timex” was introduced. Timex gained widespread recognition through innovative advertising campaigns in both the 1950s and 1960s, showcasing the watches’ resilience with the slogan “It takes a licking and keeps on ticking.”
Over the decades, Timex continued to innovate, introducing the Ironman Triathlon watch in 1986, which became a favourite among athletes for its durability and functionality. In 1992, the company launched the Indiglo night-light feature, enhancing visibility in low-light conditions. Today, Timex remains a prominent name in watchmaking. The brand continues to produce a range of timepieces that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, maintaining its commitment to both quality and affordability.
Our Timex Pick: Timex Marlin Chronograph Tachymeter
This Timex Marlin Chronograph blends vintage aesthetics with modern functionality. Featuring a 40mm stainless steel case and a silver-tone dial, it showcases three black sub-dials for chronograph functions as well as a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. The dial also features silver-tone baton indices and silver-tone hour, minute and second hands. The hour markers at 12, 3 and 9 o’clock are retro-style Arabic numeral indices. To ensure precise timekeeping, a reliable quartz movement powers the timepiece. Moreover, the tachymeter index along the outer minute track of the dial allows the wearer to measure speed; it’s not just a design feature but also a practical element of the watch. A black leather strap with a traditional buckle clasp complements the classic design, offering comfort and a secure fit.
Bulova
Bulova was founded in 1875 by Joseph Bulova, who began with a small jewellery shop in New York City. Driven by a passion for precision and innovation, he soon expanded into watchmaking. In 1912, Bulova established its first dedicated watch factory in Bienne, Switzerland, combining high-quality craftsmanship with mass production; a move that helped revolutionise the watch industry. By the 1920s, Bulova had become a household name, and in 1926, it made history with the first-ever radio commercial: “At the tone, it’s eight o’clock, Bulova Watch Time.”
In 1960, Bulova launched the Accutron—the world’s first fully electronic watch powered by a tuning fork, offering unmatched accuracy. NASA later adopted the Accutron for space missions, including the Apollo moon landing in 1971. As quartz technology emerged in the 1970s, Bulova introduced its own quartz movement and, in 2008, became part of the Citizen Watch Group. Today, with innovations like the Precisionist and over 150 years of heritage, Bulova remains a symbol of craftsmanship and forward-thinking horology alike.
Our Bulova Pick: Bulova Super Seville Precisionist
The Bulova Super Seville is a sleek, stylish timepiece that allows you to embrace an effortless kind of elegance. It features a 38mm gold-tone stainless steel TV-shaped case, complemented by a vertically brushed silver-white dial and gold-tone hands for a crisp, elegant aesthetic. A distinctive grooved coin-edge bezel frames both the flat sapphire crystal and magnified date window at 3 o’clock, adding to its classic charm. At its core is Bulova’s proprietary Precisionist movement, a high-frequency quartz mechanism vibrating at 262kHz. This ensures exceptional accuracy, within seconds per year, and offers enhanced resistance to temperature variations, as well as a smooth sweeping second hand. Completing the look is an integrated three-link gold-tone stainless steel bracelet with a secure push-button deployment clasp.
What are your thoughts on our best American watch brands of 2025? Which brand is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!
