When John and Chrissy Warren resurrected the Cornell Watch Co. in 2023, it felt like a leap of faith—a gamble on the revival of American luxury watchmaking. Fast forward to today, and their experiment has blossomed into a full-fledged mission. With their first 15 meticulously crafted timepieces sold out, the Warrens are now setting their sights on scaling production without compromising the artistry that defines their brand.
The initial allure of Cornell’s relaunch lay in the hands of Roland Murphy, a luminary in American watchmaking. His craftsmanship, honed over decades at RGM Watch Co., brought an air of authenticity to the 1870 Classic Enamel—a watch that felt less like a product and more like a heirloom. But artisanal excellence comes at a cost: limited production. RGM’s meticulous hand-finishing meant only a handful of Cornell watches could be made each year, leaving demand largely unmet.
Enter Zach Smith of Hour Precision, a maestro of micro-machining whose expertise spans aerospace, medical devices, and now, horology. Smith’s partnership with Cornell marks a pivotal shift. Together, they aim to create a vertically integrated manufacturing operation in the U.S., capable of producing hundreds of watches annually—each rivaling the precision of Swiss counterparts.
The new Cornell models, born from this partnership, are a nod to midcentury elegance. Drawing inspiration from icons like Patek Philippe’s Calatrava and vintage Hamiltons, the designs are thinner, more refined, and tailored to modern tastes. Roman numerals remain, a subtle homage to Cornell’s pocket watch heritage, but the dials—crafted in German silver—signal a fresh chapter.
What’s truly groundbreaking, however, is the ambition to produce fully American-made movements. While the 1870 CE relied on Swiss components, the collaboration with Hour Precision opens the door to in-house movement development. Warren envisions a miniaturized version of Cornell’s pocket watch movement, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology.
The Warrens are clear-eyed about the challenges ahead. Scaling production while maintaining quality is no small feat, and the investment required is substantial. But the payoff could be monumental: a resurgence of American watchmaking on a global stage. As Warren puts it, “We’re not just making watches; we’re building a legacy.”
The first fruits of this partnership will debut in the coming months, with pre-orders opening to the public. For those who missed out on the 1870 CE, this new line offers a chance to own a piece of history in the making. And for Cornell, it’s a step toward reclaiming America’s place in the world of haute horology.
