Founded in 1998 by master watchmakers Hartwig Balke and George Thomas, TWC quickly became synonymous with independent American horology. Notable for sending watches aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour and assisting the Smithsonian Institution, the brand exemplified the blend of tradition and innovation. Under Plank’s ownership, Towson maintained its handcrafted, old-school approach, continuing to produce exceptional timepieces while expanding its narrative reach.
In 2016, Towson Watch Company experienced its first significant ownership transition when Kevin Plank, founder of Under Armour, acquired a majority stake through his investment firm, Sagamore Ventures. Drawn by the compelling story and expertise of co-founders Hartwig Balke and George Thomas, as well as their unique homeland relationships for sourcing watch components, Plank’s investment provided TWC with a broader vision and additional resources. This enabled the company to expand its collections while fostering American watchmaking in the process.
The story of Towson Watch Company took another exciting turn in 2021 when Spencer Shattuck, a student at Johns Hopkins University connected to Plank and TWC since his youth, acquired full ownership from Sagamore Ventures. Shattuck embraced the legacy built by both the original founders and Plank’s guidance, further modernizing the company's approach by evolving the collections and adopting a direct-to-consumer model. Most importantly, he sought to find watchmakers that Hartwig and George could train. This shift not only allowed for more Towson watches and stronger collector relationships, but also reinforced the brand's dedication to authentic, handcrafted horology in Towson, Maryland.
Under Shattuck’s leadership, Towson continues to honor its foundational values—designing and assembling highest-grade watches in-house with components sourced only from the same family-run workshops in Pforzheim, Germany. Today, Towson Watch Company stands poised to continue its trajectory, blending historical reverence with innovative thinking, ensuring the spirit and legacy of this secret American watch brand.
Towson Watch Company (TWC) has played a pivotal role in reinvigorating American watchmaking and pioneering the microbrand industry with signature models like the CHOPTANK—the predecessor to the TALBOT. Since 2021, our founders have mentored the next generation of Towson watchmakers, passing down their expertise to ensure the craft lives on.
The TALBOT is the first model in the TWC Collections fully designed by their apprentices, marking the beginning of Towson’s next chapter. Inspired by the CHOPTANK, it retains the same graceful tonneau-shaped case, now in a sleeker, more refined profile.
At its core, the TALBOT embraces a design philosophy where shape, color, and form take precedence over convention. Its minimalist dial, free from printed numerals, delivers a playful twist on classical watchmaking, boldly showcasing TWC’s brand identity. This is independent horology embracing its own.
