American Watchmakers Jason Lu and Zach Smith of 1776 Atelier
The interview explores how 1776 Atelier, founded by Jason Lu and Zach Smith, is pushing American watchmaking forward with the Liberty 250, a timepiece claimed to be over 90 % U.S.–made. By developing virtually all movement components in‑house—from raw brass and steel plates to wheels, balance and finishing processes—the brand demonstrates the feasibility of high‑end, domestically produced watches despite a limited local supply chain. The discussion highlights the challenges of sourcing remaining parts such as jewels, sapphire crystals and mainsprings, and the brand’s reliance on a small, highly skilled team operating out of Ohio and Texas. The conversation also examines regulatory constraints, noting the FTC’s “all or virtually all” standard for Made‑in‑USA claims and suggesting that a tiered system could better reflect incremental domestic content. Production remains deliberately low‑volume, with about 140 watches made last year and a target in the low‑hundreds this year, emphasizing hand finishing and quality over scale. Future plans include developing smaller movements, refining the free‑sprung balance, and eventually achieving a fully American‑made watch as domestic component suppliers emerge.
Buying Time Analysis: This story is important because it illustrates the challenges and breakthroughs of building a high‑end, largely American‑made watch, highlighting both the technical ingenuity required to create the Liberty 250 and the broader implications for domestic manufacturing and “Made in USA” labeling standards.
