Company Lore
6.17.2025
The Art of Rebuilding Swiss Calibers
Our Pursuit of Horological Excellence
Towson Watch Company
Our Watchmakers
Hartwig balke &
george thomas
TWC was founded by Hartwig Balke and George Thomas in 1998. Both immigrants who moved to America in their retirement to sail the Chesapeake Region. Inspired by local maritime history, the two engineers decided to pursue their horological dreams together in Maryland. They have pioneered American watchmaking ever since.
“I started life as a watchmaker in 1948, 58 years ago. Hartwig started out as an engineer. We work together well because he essentially does the design and engineering work that I can’t do. But I’ve had a lot of experience doing restoration of antique watches for museums. These are 200 to 300 year-old timepieces. We have both ends of the technical spectrum covered, from current engineering to an understanding of watchmaking 500 years ago.”
George Thomas
“I started life as a watchmaker in 1948, 58 years ago. Hartwig started out as an engineer. We work together well because he essentially does the design and engineering work that I can’t do. But I’ve had a lot of experience doing restoration of antique watches for museums. These are 200 to 300 year-old timepieces. We have both ends of the technical spectrum covered, from current engineering to an understanding of watchmaking 500 years ago.”
George Thomas
Our Watchmakers
Take a look behind the curtains at the thought process, design process, and history of our watchmakers and some their most iconic pieces.
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