What We Know:
Last year, we reported on the rebirth of the Cornell Watch Co., a relatively short-lived 19th-century American brand from Chicago brought back to life by Cornell Watch collector John Warren. Today, the brand is releasing another attempt at imagining what the brand could have created if the company had survived. While not totally “Made in America,” Warren has sought a few major suppliers in the country who use the same machines as those in Switzerland to assist in producing more of the product in the United States.
The new Cornell Watch ‘Lozier’ was inspired in some aspects by an upsized Patek ref. 96, with a 37.6mm by 8.5mm (including crystal) stainless steel case, slightly wider-stance 22mm lug width and 50m of water resistance. The dial is made of what pocket watch collectors refer to as “double sunk” German silver, with a single-piece design, diamond-cut with a frosted finish, and pad printing of Samuel Baker’s new “Chicago Roman” design. The hands are in the brand’s “Cornell Watch Leaf” style, which is horizontally brushed by hand and has diamond-cut edges.
The case, dial, and crown are entirely manufactured in the United States using Kern 5-Axis CNC machines by Swiss-trained watchmakers and machinists at Hour Precision in Columbus, Ohio. Warren stated that just a few micro-machine businesses have the same machines as Swiss and German watchmakers, and collaborating with those companies will ideally help build a supply chain that may be employed in future watches. The crystal comes from Japan, and the movement is an elaborate Swiss Sellita SW-300-1 b with a 56-hour power reserve that can be adjusted to three positions. Justin Harrell and Sergio Berrios, CW21 and WOSTEP-trained watchmakers and owners of The Watchmaker’s Shop in Asheville, North Carolina, completed the watch’s final controls, regulation, and assembly.
Preorders for the Lozier will begin on June 18, 2025, and will be open for four weeks, ending on July 16, 2025. Deliveries will start in the fourth quarter of 2025 and continue through 2026, with watches being delivered in the order they are received (first come, first served). The watch is not limited in number, but the 2025 allocation will not be available once the preorder deadline closes. The cost is $6,200 (50% deposit due at order, 50% due before delivery). Full specifications and details are provided below.
What We Think
A few weeks ago, John Warren brought the Lozier into the Hodinkee headquarters. I liked the watch’s appearance and proportions, which reminded me of a Patek reference 96. There’s also a hint of an elevated field watch vibe, evocative of Hamilton, one of the few survivors of American watchmaking’s demise, who became an icon. It wore extremely pleasantly, with a somewhat longer 46.8mm lug-to-lug distance. With its elegant German silver dial, it might serve well as an upscale, everyday watch.
However, the price is high. Warren informed me that they keep their margins pretty acceptable. Unfortunately, the United States’ supply chain is not strong enough to support more modest pricing arrangements. While it may not be a full-fledged “put your money where your mouth is” moment for supporters of “Made in America” watchmaking (mainly because the movement is Swiss-made), it is an opportunity to test the waters to determine if both the design and production are commercially viable.
The Basics
Brand: Cornell Watch Co. Model: Lozier
Diameter: 37.4 mm
Thickness: 8.5mm
Case Material: 316L stainless steel. Three-piece structure. Hand-finished.
Dial Color: German silver. Three-tiered design, one-piece fabrication. Diamond-cut, with a frosted finish. Hand finished.
Indexes use custom “Chicago Roman” numerals and a chapter ring. Pad printed using black ink.
Lume: None.
Water Resistance: 50 meters.
Strap/Bracelet: Dark taupe nubuck leather strap with subtle stitching and stainless steel Cornell Buckle (18mm); 22mm lug width, 46.8mm
The movement
Calibre is Sellita SW-300-1b.
Functions include hours, minutes, and central seconds with a stop-second mechanism.
Power reserve: 56 hours.
Winding: Automatic.
Frequency: 4Hz
Jewels: 25 Chronometer No certification is required. Additional features include elaborate grade movement with three regulated positions.
Cornell Watch: Pricing & Availability Details
Price: $6,200.
Availability: Orders beginning June 18, 2025 and lasting four weeks. A 50% payment is required at the time of ordering, with the remaining 50% due before delivery.
Limited Edition: No.
You can read luxury watch news here!