When John and Chrissy Warren resurrected the Cornell Watch Co. in 2023, it was more than a revival—it was a bold experiment. Their mission? To reignite the flame of luxury watchmaking on American soil. Fast forward to today, and the Warrens have not only proven that there’s a hunger for finely crafted American timepieces but have also set their sights on scaling up production without compromising on quality.
The initial offering, the 1870 Classic Enamel, was a masterpiece of American craftsmanship, assembled by the legendary Roland Murphy of RGM Watch Co. Murphy’s reputation as a maestro of horology lent the project an air of credibility, but there was a catch: RGM’s meticulous hand-finishing meant limited production. Only 15 of these exquisite timepieces were crafted in 2024, leaving the Warrens with a challenge—how to expand without diluting the essence of their brand.
Enter Zach Smith of Hour Precision, a micro-machining wizard with a background in watchmaking. Smith’s expertise in crafting precision components for industries like aerospace and medical devices made him the perfect ally. In December, Cornell and Hour Precision announced a partnership aimed at creating a vertically integrated manufacturing operation in the U.S. This collaboration promises to produce hundreds of watches annually, a stark contrast to the small-batch artistry of RGM.
The new line of watches, thinner and more refined than the 1870 CE, draws inspiration from the golden age of watch design—the 1930s to 1950s. Warren looked to iconic models from Patek Philippe, Omega, and Hamilton, blending their timeless elegance with Cornell’s signature Roman numerals. The result? A dress watch that feels both classic and contemporary.
But the real game-changer lies in the potential for fully American-made movements. While the 1870 CE relied on Swiss movements, Warren dreams of bringing end-to-end production back to the U.S. Hour Precision’s expertise in movement manufacturing could make this a reality, with plans to miniaturize a Cornell pocket watch movement for wristwatches.
Warren’s vision is clear: to rival Swiss and German brands in both quality and scale. “We’re not just relying on the ‘Made in America’ label,” he says. “We’re bringing competitive, world-class products to the table.” The first of these new models will debut in the coming months, with an order window designed to give every enthusiast a shot at owning a piece of American horological history.
The journey from artisanal craftsmanship to industrial precision is fraught with challenges, but the Warrens are undeterred. With Hour Precision by their side, Cornell Watch Co. is poised to redefine what it means to be an American watchmaker in the 21st century.
