We sort American watch brands using a tier system. A brand’s tier placement comes from the brand’s own published statements, and cross-checked against independent reporting from Worn & Wound, Hodinkee, aBlogtoWatch, Quill & Pad, Monochrome, Time and Tide, Gear Patrol, and others.
This tier system is a living list. If a mistake was made, we want to know about it. And that goes for brands that we missed. So, if you know of a brand that you believe qualifies for inclusion on The American Dial brand list, contact us with answers to these three questions: Where is the movement manufactured? Where is the case manufactured? Where is the watch finally assembled?
Tier 1 — Manufactured in America
Watches manufactured in the United States across the board. Some use newly manufactured American movements (J.N. Shapiro, RGM, Keaton Myrick); others pair new American case, dial, and crown work with a restored vintage American movement (Vortic) or a movement assembled in the US from foreign-supplied components (Colorado Watch Company). The shortest list in the industry, and the closest any modern watch brand comes to the FTC’s ‘all or virtually all’ standard for ‘Made in USA.’
Tier 2 — Substantial US Manufacturing
Cases and other major components are made in the US, alongside US assembly. The movement may be imported or partially US-assembled from foreign parts.
Tier 3 — US-Made Movement, US Assembly
Movement assembled in Arizona by FTS (Ameriquartz or Americhron). Case and dial typically imported.
Tier 4 — US Assembly
Final assembly takes place in the US. The movement and most parts are imported, typically from Switzerland or Japan.