Today we’d like to introduce you to Cameron Weiss.
Cameron, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I founded Weiss Watch Company in 2013 to achieve my long-standing goal of restoring prestige to American watchmaking. We design and build timepieces with mechanical movements by hand in Los Angeles, California. Each timepiece is individually assembled in America by me.
I have always had an interest for timepieces, even as a child. I attempted to fix my first watch at just 5, and for my high school graduation present, I requested watchmaking tools and books instead of a traditional gift. I attended a 2-year, apprentice-style Swiss watchmaking program in the US (a WOSTEP school) to receive my watchmaking certification and further my learning. I worked for two prestigious brands before finally launching my own business, which was always my end goal along this journey.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Each milestone along the way to create a timepiece has been a large undertaking. There are no off-the-shelf parts in the US, so everything is done from scratch and requires engineering, manufacturing, and testing. Launching the first model took over 300 hours, but that hasn’t stopped me. We still have a hard time keeping up with demand, but our clients enjoy the wait that is now a part of the process when ordering something so special.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Weiss Watch Company story. Tell us more about the business.
We specialize in handcrafting timepieces that are a timeless piece of art to wear on the wrist. The movements are all mechanical, meaning there are no batteries, so about 150 components inside the timepiece power the watch itself.
I am most proud of our Limited Edition 42mm Titanium American Issue Field Watch – Ultralight with Aluminum CAL 1003. This timepiece took four years of development to create and was inspired by aerospace innovation in LA. I selected unique materials for its construction that are used in aerospace rather than traditional watchmaking alloys.
We are unique in that I am the one sitting at the desk everyday making our timepieces by hand. It is definitely a labor of love to run a small business like this, but I am proud of the craftsmanship that goes into each timepiece I make.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck has been important in regards to our business. When we launched Weiss Watch Company, many publications were just beginning to pick up lifestyle stories and write about niche menswear items. We were able to get press at our launch event, and we then sold our very first watch in a matter of days. It got the ball rolling and eventually a writer staffed at the LA Times wanted to write about us! This helped really cement our place in the industry and grow our business.
Pricing:
- Timepieces start at $1150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://weisswatchcompany.com/
- Phone: 2135871506
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weisswatchcompany
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/weisswatchcompany
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/weisswatchco
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