Who makes Towson watches?
Towson watches are designed by Towson Watch Company in Maryland. Each watch is assembled, regulated, and tested by hand in Baltimore, Maryland, by watchmakers who trained under the company's co-founders, Hartwig Balke and George Thomas. The cases are made in Pforzheim, Germany, and the mechanical calibers come from Switzerland.
Where are Towson watches made and assembled?
The design work is done in Maryland. Cases are made in Pforzheim, Germany, and the calibers are Swiss. Assembly, regulation, and service all take place in Maryland. Some references also carry guilloché dials cut by hand by Jochen Benzinger in Pforzheim.
Is Towson Watch Company an American watch brand?
Yes. Towson Watch Company is based in Maryland, the designs originate there, and the watches are assembled, regulated, finished, and serviced there. The components are international, with German cases and Swiss movements. For that reason we describe the watches as designed, assembled, and regulated in Maryland, and we do not describe them as made entirely in the United States.
Who founded Towson Watch Company, and when?
Hartwig Balke, an engineer and watchmaker from Pforzheim, Germany, and George Thomas, a master watchmaker and restorer, founded the company after meeting in an Annapolis pub. The earliest history runs from 1998 to 2000. The usual sequence is a request for a watch for the NASA STS-99 shuttle mission in 1998, the first Towson watches in 1999, and the shuttle flight in 2000. Different accounts date the founding to 1998, 1999, or 2000, so we describe the sequence rather than a single founding year.
What flew on STS-99?
A Towson automatic chronograph flew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-99 in 2000, with German astronaut Gerhard Thiele. That flight is the heritage behind the MISSION line. Read the journal story →
What is the connection to Abraham Lincoln's pocket watch?
George Thomas, co-founder of Towson Watch Company, took part in the work on Abraham Lincoln's pocket watch, which revealed a hidden inscription inside the watch. His work was covered by The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. About George Thomas →
What happened to the Timonium showroom?
Towson Watch Company no longer operates a showroom in Timonium. The watchmakers who built Towson watches there now work at Baltimore Watch Company in Union Collective, Baltimore, where Towson watches are shown and serviced. Visitors can also see watches by appointment at our private showroom at 1200 Steuart Street, Baltimore, and the full collection is available on this site. Visiting details →
Who services Towson watches now?
Service and repair for every Towson watch, including retired references, is handled through Baltimore Watch Company, Union Collective, 1700 W. 41st Street, Baltimore, MD 21211. Antonio, who trained under Hartwig Balke and George Thomas and built Towson watches before the move, is among the watchmakers there, so the standard of work continues. Service & Repair →
How long is the warranty?
Every new Towson watch carries a two-year warranty from the date of purchase, covering service and repair. Warranty and service work is handled in Maryland through Baltimore Watch Company.
Do you sell through retailers or authorized dealers?
No. Towson watches are sold direct only, on this site and at Baltimore Watch Company. There are no authorized dealers.
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