Every Timepiece Is
Deeply Personal
Many of our clients are seasoned collectors — individuals who not only appreciate fine watchmaking but have spent years immersed in its nuances. While our standard configurations offer beauty and craftsmanship in their own right, we also understand that some collectors desire something even more tailored.
We offer a range of semi-bespoke and fully bespoke customization options, allowing you to personalize your watch to reflect your tastes and values. Below, we highlight the semi-bespoke options currently available, which can be selected at the time of order for supported models.
If you are considering a semi-bespoke or fully bespoke build and would like to discuss options, we invite you to reach out directly. Every watch we produce is crafted with the same care we would give to a piece made for ourselves or a loved one — because we understand that each timepiece is deeply personal.
Let us help you make yours truly your own.
The Art of the Hand
Available exclusively on the Mount Vernon collection.
Modern Scroll
This is our no-charge engraving option, executed entirely by hand. It features a refined, modern scroll pattern that strikes an elegant balance between artisanal technique and minimalist restraint.
Teutonic Scroll
This denser, more intricate scrollwork pays homage to classical European engraving traditions while reinterpreting them through a distinctly American lens. Hundreds of individual scroll elements leave almost no surface untouched.
American Gun Scroll
Our highest level of hand engraving, inspired by the decorative embellishment seen on fine American shotguns at the turn of the 20th century. Intricate, elegant, and deeply expressive — a tribute to one of America's most historic engraving traditions.
American Gun Scroll Case
Case engraving at this level is a rarity in modern watchmaking. The scrolls are cut directly into solid steel, a surface that demands exceptional skill and patience. Few brands attempt it today, not only because of the immense time it requires but also because so few engravers have the ability to do it properly.
For those who choose it, the Mount Vernon can be commissioned with American Gun Scroll case engraving, carved entirely by hand by one of the finest engravers in North America. No machines, no CNC, no lasers. Only the steady hand, sharp tool, and trained eye.
The result is true Métiers d'Art, with nearly a full week devoted to every case. The flanks of the watch become a canvas of living steel, transformed into something as rare as it is enduring.
Iconic Components,
Artful Expression
In a manually wound timepiece, the crown and ratchet wheels are among the most visible and iconic components — a natural place for artistic expression. Historically, wheel decoration has been one of the most celebrated aspects of traditional watchmaking. In that spirit, we offer both modern and traditional finishing methods across the following options.
Logo Ratchet Wheel
This no-cost option features our signature engraved logo on the ratchet wheel and 13 stars on the crown wheel — a subtle tribute to America's founding. Both are laser-engraved with hand-applied circular graining that catches light beautifully.
Skeletonized Ratchet Wheel
Also available at no additional charge, this set features a cut-out ratchet wheel with two stars visible through the opening. The crown wheel carries our signature 13-star motif. Laser-engraved and hand-finished with satin circular graining.
Double Snailing
Available for a modest surcharge, this technique uses an 80-year-old traditional watchmaker's lathe to apply concentric solarized graining patterns. Each wheel receives two overlapping spirals, creating beautiful light reflection and a strong sense of motion.
Triple Snailing
For those seeking even greater visual complexity, triple snailing adds a third layer of spiral graining to the ratchet wheel. Due to the size of the crown wheel, it retains double snailing. This represents the highest level of traditional wheel decoration in our catalog.
Tone & Personality
Galvanic plating is one of the most important tools in defining the tone and personality of a timepiece. It affects not only the color and contrast of a movement but also the way light interacts with its surfaces. We offer several galvanic treatments to help you express the aesthetic you want most.
Yellow Gold
For those who value classic aesthetics, yellow gold evokes the spirit of 20th-century American and European timepieces. It brings a timeless warmth and stately presence.
Rose Gold
Warm and traditional, rose gold is often used in combination with black rhodium to achieve rich contrast and highlight movement architecture. It bridges modern design with classical elegance.
White Rhodium
With its bright, silver tone, white rhodium is the most reflective of our finishes. It maximizes light play and clarity, especially ideal for collectors who want to showcase every element of finishing and engraving.
Black Rhodium
A bold, modern choice. Its dark tone adds depth and sophistication while offering high contrast with polished and engraved elements. Though less reflective, it provides a sleek, technical look highly favored by collectors seeking modernity.
Beyond Customization
We understand that a watch is a deeply personal object, and for some collectors, that means going far beyond standard customization. Perhaps you envision a more intricate engraving pattern, a scene of personal significance hand-engraved on the movement, or even dial-side engraving that tells your story.
For serious collectors seeking something truly exceptional, we can even explore custom bridge configurations — or, in rare cases, a movement design that exists nowhere else but on your wrist. As an independent watchmaker, we welcome these conversations. While feasibility depends on the model and scope of the request, we are always happy to explore the possibilities with you.
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