Bringing Watchmaking Back to America - Assembled in the USA Ameriquartz
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- Опубліковано 16 лис 2024
- Today we will start on a journey - there's a company that is bringing watchmaking and movement making back to America. That company is Fine Timepiece Solutions, and the product is Ameriquartz.
Producing an American made movement is the largest hurdle to producing a watch that is "Made in the USA".
This video will be the first of a series explaining both FTS and Ameriquartz.
www.LongIsland...
www.ftsusa.us/
Thank you for watching.
Being an engineer, I can see how exciting the momentum is to produce an American watch. Bravo! Can't wait to see what comes of this.
Yeah!!!!
Fascinating ! I look forward to watch the movements comparaison (Rhonda, Miyota, Ameriquatz ...). Thanks !
So do I!
Thanks!
We applaud you Marc for telling everyone about FTS and their new Ameriquartz movements.
I like this new series. However, I thought RGM watches (out of Lancaster, PA) made their own in-house movements? I hope you profile them because no one ever talks about them. They are the company that renewed my interest in watches.
Thank you.
Thanks for the tip! - hadn't even heard of RGM and I'm from the area. I know that MKII is nearby as well ( in Wayne Pa. ), and they have an Assembled in the USA designation for some models that use Swiss ETAs.
There is a strong tradition of precision machining and decorative industrial arts in that region, so the presence makes sense. And it's good to see that both are pushing the envelope and w/ some really nice designs.
Looking forward to this 👍
One of my favorite watches is a Bernhardt Watch Company Binnacle Diver; Asian/Swiss sourced parts, assembled in NC USA. Excellent Customer Service.
Thanks!
Excellent news. I'll be keeping an eye on this, and the products they produce.
Thanks!
I’m excited for the day when you inevitably announce that you will be producing your own American made watch line!
I was thinking the same thing. Marc is a very smart man and plans well. The business side of the last 6 months at LIW add up. 😁👍
Same here. I think it is coming.
Haha, thank you.
Very cool, I will 100% purchase a “Made in the USA” watch when the day comes.
Nice to see some people making watches in the USA. I was happy to see Timex offering Amrican Documents watch which are made in USA and quite beautiful. But they are using a swiss movement and fairly expensive - maybe they can go ameriquartz and become truly made in the USA
That would be a great goal.
Great News..! Looking forward to see how all this develops..!👍
Thank you, me too.
It’s about recreating the vibe of the heyday of American watchmaking in the 1850s and 1860s. On that topic there is still amazing value in original Waltham watch co and similar pocket watches, which were ‘almost’ 100% made in America.
Thanks Lester!
All I can say is WOW! I just love this concept and can not wait wait to learn more. I believe this is an incredible goal for them and I already want to buy a watch MADE IN AMERICA. So much so I'll even gladly buy a quartz piece. Can't wait for future videos!
Thanks Mark!
A very interesting idea that needs to be taken more seriously here in the UK also.
Great idea!
Brillier's railway watches are stunning. I don't know why but theirs something about them that makes me warm and fuzzy inside.
Yeah, me too
I'm glad you did this video, Marc. I'm sure I'm not the only one who appreciates this topic. I'd definitely be interested in an all USA made watch if it can hold its own against, say, a Seiko.
Thank you!
Isn't there a company in PA. that makes their own automatic movements and parts? Read or saw some youtube video on them. I also know they aren't cheap.
Watched this after release of your Islander Field Watch. I appreciate what you are doing to support made in America watches. Would love to see you tackle a Bulova Accutron Astronaut clone some time.
Great series idea- can’t wait to see your future installments.
Thank you.
Very cool. Looking forward to what they can make.
Thanks!
I really hope USA watch making comes back. I would love to get into them.
Great, thank you!
Almost all industrial products today have a degree of global sourcing. This is a bold endeavor, and there's no reason it can't succeed.
Very true.
Hmmm....I just checked out Fine Time Piece Solutions's website and clicked on "jobs and Careers" tab and noted they are looking for "Watch Assembly Technicians." "No prior Experience is Necessary." Yikes!! $15.00 per hour was listed as the starting salary. Criminy! Well, I guess to gain skill you gotta start somewhere and hiring only skilled labor in the watchmaking industry in the US, at our prevailing wage rate, simply could not be sustained by most young companies. It sounds like they do have some very skilled watchmakers on staff. Hopefully, they also teach well. I wish the company success...we sure do need to reclaim the art and engineering of watchmaking greatness and do much more to increase skilled labor, generally, in all handicraft businesses.
Thanks Brian!
@@islandwatch You bet! A cry I hear frequently from the Old Dog tradesmen/women often; their particular trade is dying. They cannot find a younger person interested in interning. And they mean really interning with a burning passion and motivation propelling them to WORK and follow direction without expecting instant gratification and realization of their dreams. Thank you for doing what you do Marc. I just bought some goodies from your store this past Friday after watching your video on the Orient Triton. I really enjoy your informative videos, all of them...watch-specific or not. I'm a neophyte 'watchman" so I love to learn from what you share. I particularly enjoy the glimpses you give in running a business like the tax video or the struggle against the big corporate dogs. They (businesses) are not built in a day, year, or even a decade. It is very tough...of course, I don't have to tell you that. Cheers!
One can look at this $15 plus benefits, I would assume, for no prior experience is more or less an apprentice level position, do your time, learn, salary goes up, they also may include perks like some stock ownership (good if it works out) lunch or other perks which means your base salary is only part of the whole package. I freely admit I'm off base. But if it does work out, they go in house, quartz then mechanical/automatic I'm sure those who stick with it will earn more, or become watchmakers with other companies.
I am not anti-quartz, a good quality movement, in some cases like a chronometer can offer great performance at a fraction of the cost of an equivalent mechanical watch. Do I prefer automatics over quartz, yes. Would I buy a good quality Citizen, or Seiko quartz like a Seiko Flight Master of which I own yes.
For almost 100 years, the largest site in the world dedicated to watchmaking was located in Elgin, Illinois. I look forward to seeing how making watches in the US again works out.
Me too!!!
It may work out with Swiss salaries going through the roof, skilled and trained watchmakers who went to Switzerland for training may make the US an attractive alternative. That according if it's done to near perfection, and people are willing to forgo Omega and Rolex or buy them as a second luxury watch.
I would love to see an American made watch and watch movement. America needs to break back into the watch making game.
For sure. It will be interesting.
Most interesting...I have some watches with the basic Miyota movement... plainly made and reliable.
They sure are.
Maybe I'm jumping the gun, but I'm under the impression that both RGM (PA) and Weiss Watch Co (CA) manufacturer American made watch movements. Will these companies be discussed in a later video?
I can only discuss the companies I have knowledge of.
@@islandwatch Well, now you know ;)
I don’t know about RGM but Weiss assembles movements in the US from Swiss parts
@@timlangel6211 Does that include their American made field watches?
Adam Robert Rassi yes. I believe it does. Unless they need to update their website.
Very interesting! I look forward to the upcoming vids! Congrats Marc!
Thanks Bubba.
It would be very cool to be able to buy a high end quartz watch built in America.
It sure would.
Interesting.I still don't get why get why a good quartz movement is so downed.They are incredible pieces of micro electrical engineering! That's why Seiko thought outside of the box ? Genius really. Cheers.
For sure, I'm with you.
I agree. I recently saw an exploded view of a Casio GPW 2000 (my most used watch) and OMG it puts anything from Switzerland to shame.
@@billcosgrave6232 On the same wavelength as myself . My most worn piece is indeed a Casio mrw200 h. The internals are as you say could pull heavy punches in the scheme of things! Cheers!
The Weiss caliber 1003 is made in the USA. All the parts for the Standard Field Watch are out of Los Angeles.
dean uga nope, just saw one and it said Swiss on the movement.
@@sog6841 Then I'd buy it, as it's a unicorn. The CAL 1001 was a 6947 "assembled" in L.A. using Swiss parts but ran afoul with the FTC for saying it was "Made in America". The answer was the CAL 1003 in 2016, which "are manufactured and assembled in our Los Angeles workshop".
weisswatchcompany.com/pages/usamade-movements
www.businessinsider.com/first-us-made-watch-movement-in-40-years-2016-9
Good video, looking forward to more information.
Thank you.
Can’t wait for follow up vids. I will definitely go for a US made watch quartz or auto doesn’t matter. Support US made goods.
Great, thank you!
Works for me I'm glad to see these being made here, I think Minuteman watches also use that movement.. 😉
Thanks Steven.
I buy a lot of USA made watches, vintage Timex and Hamilton even some Bulova.
timex only recently started "assembling" some watches back in the USA after moving production to taiwan in 1978
Super cool 'hobby'.
Long Island Watch My point is that we were perfectly capable of making timepieces that people want, and are becoming more and more collectible. There is no reason it can’t be done again, I just don’t see a mass of watch enthusiasts desiring made in the US quartz watches but it is a good market for vintage inspired value mechanical pieces. The timex Q vintage inspired watch if that were made in the US, they can’t even keep them in stock anywhere the iron is hot right now! As for timex making stuff in Taiwan you’re missing my point, timex was huge and even assembling those watches here was more than we have now. I’m not being contrarian, you call it a hobby but I’ve spent a large amount of money on my vintage American collection and so have numerous friends of mine. Now as a business owner can you not see how you could turn my ‘hobby’ into revenue, isn’t that what small business owners do find a niche and fill it??
Looking forward to seeing some good quality quartz from the US. Country of origin certs are frustrating with a huge supply chain. Not surprised about Shinola.
Yup, thanks for watching.
Marc, why don’t you sell Monta? It would be great to see Monta in your lineup, as they can be difficult to get hold of.
I'll take a look, thank you.
@@islandwatch Yes I want a Monta Triumph
Orion Watch (but foreign movements) looks like very nice stuff.
I’d be interested how you began your begins as a watch seller and where you would like to end up.
Very interesting. Looking forward to more videos like this
Thanks!
RGM I think is the only American Watchmaker in the US that designs and manufactures his on movement.
I believe weiss watches are also
Nevermind, I went on their website and it says hand assembled in America
I believe so.
@@islandwatch Their watches start at $2,300. Most are in the $5,000 to $40,000 range, with one costing $95,000. Out of many people's price range. Nice watches if you can afford them.
@@rdk_metalmelter1250 I've also heard he sells everyone of them.
Outstanding
Thank you.
Dang I hate quartz but dang I love America. Guess I'm buying some mystery quartz watch.😂
LOL, thank you.
I clicked here with hopes they were making mecha-quartz movements. I think they would be more successful selling that hybrid model.
No US-made movements?? Perhaps there is a viable business plan in buying up vintage USA movements, dissasembling and rebuilding for durability, then installing in modern cases with the benefit of water resistance. (I guess the scale of such a business depends on the number and cost of movements you could acquire ; there are caches of NOS movements scattered about and I realize I'm hoping more than stating fact)
Sounds a bit like Vortec
@@islandwatch Thx! I looked at vortic. Rather high-priced movements they sell. With your business platform, if it could be done, I'm guessing you would have looked into it. Bespoke wristwatches...
Normally I have zero interest in quartz. But recently I've become aware that not all quartz is equal. I look forward to some compare and contrast, as I basically know nothing about the topic.
Thank you
Exciting times in US watch making. I hope some of USA's best and brightest come up with some amazing innovations that dont try and ape great Swiss/Japanese/German etc watch making but bring us something different. Entirely possible, eg Seiko designed the spring drive.
Great, thanks!
Not all but a majority of German watches are using Swiss movements, Stowa and a few others and they do not hide the fact.
Are there any other made in usa watches besides RGM? Vintage bulovas are still cheap and I still get them under $100 and they run great.
What is your opinion about Ingersoll? Worth of buying or not?
I like the railroad watches on their website and the Ch 3 design they posted on FB. Prices for these quartz watches are going to scare away many buyers, however. I’d like to buy one of the Americana Ch 3 watches but not for $400.
Thank you for the feedback.
Would love to see some U.S. made auto and mechanical watches for a resonable rice. Sadly I don't see that happening with labor and manufacturing costs here.
Doubt it.
So is Timex getting away with labeling their American Documents watches “Made in America” because also labeling the dial with “Swiss Movement” is like a disclaimer?
Correct.
So you're basically taking us all along the journey to you selling your own LIW-branded watches with a goal of getting them as close to "Made in the USA" as possible?
If so, that's fascinating.
So far out of all my Quartz watches, only the new Marathon Navigator w/sapphire, battery hatch, & Rhonda Quartz movement has come close to really keeping good time with the atomic clock.
Which I bought from LIW...hmmm...coincidence?
It's my motorcycle beater watch since it has to contend with non-stop vibrations coming from a giant single-cylinder 700cc motorcycle engine which occasionally goes off-road.
No problems with it yet and it keep excellent time, maybe gaining a few second a month.
LOL, thank you. You never know.
I don't know if he does 'customer calibers'
How do I buy one of these movements?
I think what people would like to see, and buy, are more American watches with original designs, builds and finishing performed in the US. The specific sourcing and state of components is secondary IMO. The important thing is to (re)develop the skills, processes, and logistics domestically.
And I'm not even concerned whether it's legally designated as Made in the USA. Frankly MITU rules are too biased towards large vertically integrated manufacturers. It may actually be better to develop a private American industry designation.
But what if Seiko or Citizen brought their machinery and expertise to USA and sourcered the raw material in USA... Will they be making $5 made in USA quartz movements?
No, the cost of all the new buildings and machinery will make the cost still be very high. That's why a new business cannot be started from scratch the upfront cost are too great. They'd have to charge higher for the movements for a while until they get in the black before they can charge cheaper prices on the movements.
Nope. Can't survive on 50 cents a day here.
Seiko and Citizen have already developed and sold Japan made quartz movements for $1 so if there was a large market, I don't see why they couldn't invest in infrastructure in the US to manufacture US made quartz movements.
YES! YES! YES!!!!!
In case you were wondering, we are REALLY angry about JDM's disappearing. Please let us know why on some forum. What will happen to the Japan-based sellers? I know a jeweler in Chicago who stocks these (along with Moser and some REALLY high-end stuff, the JDM's are his only New watches south of ten grand). Will everyone 86 these? Is Seiko America sicking its lawyers on the dirty Gaijin?
I can only speak for myself, and I'm getting rid of them.
I've always heard that if something made in USA has quality behind it. Of cars, tools, pens or watches. It's still think so.
Awesome, thank you!
Roland Murphy and RGM Watches in Pennsylvania
Chrono 24 took my seiko sla 017 off their site saying i can’t list it as new/unworn due to trademark infringement in the EU. Whats up with that?
Yep saw something like this on reddit madness. Check marks last video on jdm watches
Seiko in the EU has a lock on that.
We should build quartz watches in USA after all is an American Technology.
I feel like waving a flag :)
Isn't the bulova sweep quartz American made?
Nope.
Shinola (of "you don't know shit from Shinola" fame), was made in USA, once upon a time iirc. Shinola folded and someone brought the name back or something.
Wasn't Bulova was too, way back?
USA used to have a tradition of watchmaking.
Yes, Bulova sure was.
Yes. Bought by Citizen, though. Hamilton was American until the late 1960s, too. Now part of the Swatch group. Timex is now Dutch.
If I sent them a pics of a watch dial/face and mm of casing they could make me one?
You may also want to try Weiss watch, license Swiss parts made in the USA (same as Brillier) or Vortec, pocket watch recased into a wrist watch and then there is high-end companies RGM, Keaton Myrick, JN Shapiro (German movement) 🤔 I feel like I'm forgetting two... Barrel hand (Swiss movement with American /German complication module)
It's more of a manufacturer rather than a custom house.
Quartz? :( I thought you gonna make some 4r35 or ETA movement watches
LOL Crawl first.
@@islandwatch good luck ..I do have one quartz watch seiko sndf93 and i never thought I was gonna buy it before I bought it...
Why didn't you open the caseback and show us the fancy movement compared to a cheapo quartz???????????
Future vid!
Considering my recent experiences with General Motors, American made does not appeal to me as much as it once did so any American Watch company faces a real challenge related to American Companies lass than stellar reputation for honesty, quality, integrity and service.
Regretfully, you speak the truth.
This is where FTS is trying to change your mind.
WE CAN HOPE
Nice. I actually prefer quartz. But for heavens sake make sure the hands line up.
Of course!!!
I generally avoid quartz watches. I buy watches not because I need them, my phone gives much more accurate time. I buy watches because it's a hobby. I do have a couple of quartz (a Timex Ironman and a Seiko perpetual calendar). Quartz watches just feel so soulless.
Maybe, I get it.
I am not sure I understand what this means given that most watches today are built on assembly lines using some form of automation whenever possible. And that goes for YOU KNOW WHO as well.
For context of American watch brands: whichwatch.org/10-best-american-watch-brands/
Thx
Nearly 100% made in USA means the instruction manual paper can be made elsewhere I bet.
Probably!
I just skimmed the info on the Federal Trade Commission’s webpage. The rules seem like a bureaucratic labyrinth to say the least.
www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/complying-made-usa-standard
I liked this video very much. I hope whatever you are trying to accomplish goes well. Prices are high here in USA because we give burger flippers 15 bucks an hour. So a good competent watch maker will charge us much much more. little off track but anyway. And still on another topic and I ask respectfully. Are you ok? You look like you need sleep, tired, run down, worried about business or something else. Low iron will do that too. Get that checked if you please.
LOL. Nah, just lunch-time doldrums!
Long Island Watch, I sure hope I did not embarrass you I can assure you that was not my intentions Mark.
i’m a old guy just writes what he sees. Sorry if I hurt your feelings just the same.
Will your own brand of watches say Made in USA Marc?
Justin Serda I watch all of Marc’s videos!
I do not know what the future holds!
Couldn't find any technical information about Ameriquartz movements on their site. No specs, no datasheet, no manufacturing info, no nothing.
Still in its infancy.
I have not used a watch for years, they are not that accurate and phones seem to be perfectly accurate every time.Something we could really use is the clocks in vehicles being more accurate, we pay big money for our cars and trucks and the clocks are more like the $5.99 watches but are built into the vehicle.
Maybe getting better, my 2008 Accord fits your description to the tee, but my 2013 Accord seems to keep time well, or reasonable that only have to change it and adjust it during daylight to standard time, don't think it loses a minute.
But here you are watching a watch only channel. Maybe it's time!
There are many watches that are as accurate as cell phones. You should review the Casio waveceptor models. Seiko and Citizen I believe have similar technologies. Longines has a quartz watch which is accurate to within a couple seconds a year and many others as well.
@@billcosgrave6232How much are they?, i find good watches cost way too much for what they do. They are more of a jewelry item, i am glad to see more American made things made, not so sure I can afford a good watch, I have looked at some nice watches but they cost a fortune. The cheap cell phone gives perfect time every time, unfortunately the watch companies are competing with $50 phones and a phone does a lot of things. We still do need good clocks and time pieces for our homes and cars though- all you can get is Chinese Walmart crap now. Hopefully that will change soon.
@@billcosgrave6232 The problem is we already carry cell phones and they have other functions. it will take time for good watches to come down in price, they may only come down in price is a lot of people buy them. If they already have cell phones they may not feel the need for a watch especially if they have to pay one or two hundred dollars for a watch. I have looked for watches that are nice looking and functional and accurate but even for a used one it can be quite pricey- well over $100.
I think Ginault makes their own movements. Maybe I'm misremembering
I don't think so.
I own a quartz, and an automatic. I respect both, and while I prefer the mechanical, it is largely the romance, not the practicality.
Great video -- super interesting, thanks. Shinola -- ugh -- I hate that company. Overpriced stuff, a complete con job.
Thanks Bob.
I wonder where all the old machine tools are from Timex, Hamilton, Bulova, Westclox, Elgin, Waltham etc. It’s really kind of sad but the Pacific rim is the future. Also sad to say, I don’t have much faith in products made in the USA. We are getting beat at our own game in every quarter and I don’t see how watche manufacturing would be any different. John Cameron Swayze is gone and he is forgotten.
Probably in a basement somewhere!
hopefully timex will follow suit and stop with the aweful quartz movements. bring back the m24/5/7 with armalloy vconnic bearings i say!
Yup!
a quartz movement ASSEMBLED in America ( not manufactured in America ) using some American AND foreign parts ( aka Chinese parts )
I'm sorry...…...but I just don't see the point.
That's too bad. Sorry.
You are quite right. Assembly is nothing. You need manufacturing to become a real industrial powerhouse!
Hi Quarters-Eye. FYI - there are NO Chinese parts in an Ameriquartz movement. Also - If you want to see the point you should see the process of programming, oiling, testing and assembling an analog quartz movement.
Just buy a citizen twice the watch a quarter the price.
You are missing the USA component; that's what I'm trying to highlight.
@@islandwatch sorry mark i got your point , mine is the Japanise components are probably of a higher qualilty and at a much lower cost. It must be an american thiing.
:)
🤔
:)
Hahaha “watch” dog 😂
Is President Trump responsible for this happening?
This idea was around before him!
Every American made car is full of part out sourced by ford and Gm. Yet they still are considered made in usa.
They are not.
REALLY. Consumer reports. Listed by percent what cars were full of parts not made in the USA. But are listed as domestically produced. Read the article. Take it's accuracy up with them.
I hope not like ginault?They say build in America?
I can't say what they do, sorry.
They have to be cheap. Just can't imagine these things being more expensive than computer chips. Often I hear about difficulties with respect to high wages and that's just bs. Most of the time, people who have this excuse just don't know what they're doing. The US still manufactures chips the Chinese have to import to build phones. No way you can tell me a watch movement is supposed to cost more than memory controllers and processors. That's just bull. FYI, every PC also has a quartz oscillator to keep the time.
There's a heck of alot more to a movements than an oscillator.
This is pure fantasy.
Not really; it's happening.
@@islandwatch
Yes, and only half a century too late. Be sure to inform me of when a new mechanical movement is produced in the USA. Alternatively, wait a year and tell me why it failed.
Are quartz watches really considered watchmaking? There's no skill you buy a $5 circuit board throw a battery in it.
One Make Then
Baby steps, like he said.
I agree in theory and believe that's generally considered true. But the idea can be flawed. If you're truly designing and building your own movement and putting it into a case you've designed and manufactured yourself, that's a completely different thing.
It's watchmaking, just commonly not luxurious watchmaking. Then again, decades ago most watches were not considered luxury unless made in precious metal which, same as hand decoration, doesn't relate to the quality of the caliber as a timekeeping device.
While the mechanical finesse isn't the same level, there's certainly a fair bit of engineering that goes into quartz movements. Plus, the accuracy and ruggedness of quartz is appealing in its own right.