Curious about Tsao Baltimore watches? Watch collectors love conversation pieces. This new brand takes that to the next level — and to a charmingly local level, too.
Whenever I visit a city, I like to buy a shot glass with the city’s name on it as a souvenir. I used to buy art, but I only have so many walls. Ideally, I’d get it from a truly local business, but worst-case scenario, there’s always the airport.
After learning about Tsao Baltimore Watches, I might switch to watches — at least when I can. It won’t be often because not every city boasts a real, local watch brand. Baltimore does.
Even more, they do truly interesting things with their constructions. Remember when the Francis Scott Key Bridge partially collapsed? Well, Tsao is taking the ashes and making a phoenix. They’re building watches using steel from that very bridge.
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Tsao Baltimore: A Quick History
Tsao Baltimore was launched by Alan Tsao in 2017 in, of course, Baltimore, Maryland. In addition to focusing on quality and details, the brand’s sublines feature designs and stories specific to the city.
All of this plucky microbrand’s watches are designed and assembled in Baltimore. Tsao wants to eventually manufacture locally as well.
Still, personal touches are made when and where it’s possible.For example, the Legacy 36 watch is powered by a respectable Miyota 9015.
However, it features a custom rotor, which is built and assembled by Maryland Watch Works. Basically, Tsao watches are more American-made than many (perhaps all?) heritage brands sporting American names.
I’ve heard their designs described as minimalist with attention to detail. I wouldn’t call their overall style minimalist per se.
However, they make good, smart use of the dial face, and the attention to detail does look quite meticulous. They’re truly thoughtful and distinct watches.
And the way Baltimore is incorporated into their designs? I find it remarkable, and it’s beautifully exemplified by their upcoming line.
The Upcoming Key Bridge Watches
On March 26, 2024, a container ship struck a pier on the Francis Scott Key Bridge on the Patapsco River in the Baltimore area in Maryland. It was a tragedy.
However, what better way to honor those who’ve suffered through a tragedy than through art and charity? I think of the 9/11 museum in New York or even the film Titanic.
This is exactly what Tsao Baltimore is doing.
Alan Tsao told the local news that a client and friend of his was contracted to work on the bridge’s demolition. The client’s supervisor agreed to let Tsao have some of the metal from the bridge. In fact, he received a whopping 200 pounds of it.
With this metal, he can make anywhere from 50 to 150 watches, depending on the design.
So that’s the art part. The charity part comes from the fact that Tsao is donating all of the profits to an emergency fund. The fund will support the families of the tragedy’s victims. Yes, 100%.
Tsao is aiming to have the watches available at the end of 2024 or the middle of 2025.
Now, here are some other cool sublines from the brand to give you a better idea of Tsao’s designs.
The Natty Boh Moon
I’m starting with the Natty Boh Moon because of how charmingly fun it is. And it manages to be this way without leaning too annoyingly hard on the quirk factor. Plus, I love a good beer collab.
National Bohemian, or Natty Boh as it’s lovingly referred to, brews an American lager. They’re originally from Baltimore, though the Pabst Brewing company has since purchased them.
Natty Boh’s mascot is Mr. Boh, a one-eyed cartoon character placed on every NB beer can and bottle.
With his tophat, mustache, and perpetual smile, Mr. Boh represents the brand’s MO: Living and loving life.
The Natty Boh Watch encapsulates this entire vibe. It’s a moonphase powered by a Swiss quartz. Mr. Boh lives at the bottom sandwich of the dial, peaking through the moonphase complication. The indices are in a vintage-style Banker watch font.
It also comes with a beer-can-shaped container, referred to as the watch’s “stash can.” There are a few colorways (or were a few, since each variation is limited). The orange is bright and lively, while the black is subdued but still fun.
I think the gold-toned version matches the overall vintage aesthetic best though.
Torsk-Diver Pro
You know what I think is a sign of a good watch designer? When he/she/they can serve up a classic diver, unidirectional bezel and all, that miraculously also has its own personality.
Basically, one that uses the tried-and-true foundational elements but doesn’t come out looking like the Submariner. This is why the Torsk-Diver Pro caught my eye. It’s classic but distinct.
Some stand-out visuals include the three-floor knurled crown and the beautifully textured dial. The almost organic dial and the industrial-looking crown offer an attractive contrast.
As with any good diver, the Torsk-Diver is spec-forward. It’s armed with BGW9 lume, a double-domed sapphire, and 300 meters of water resistance.
It gets its name from the USS Torsk submarine, a World War II submarine that’s now a museum ship managed by Historic Ships in Baltimore.
The Legacy 36 Collection
Speaking of classic but distinct, the Legacy 36 collection might be one of my favorite new-to-me everyday watches this year.
Like the Natty Boh, there’s a touch of fun in the design. The concentric circles surrounding the dial remind me a bit of the Looney Tunes and Merry Melodies intros. Meanwhile, the sandwich dial gives the indices and cardinals some depth.
The hands are elegant, almost like bigger and curvier feuille hands. The dial itself comes in several variations, from a moonstone-like mother of pearl to a murky and deep raven purple.
I like the Arctic and the Sky Blue colorways because they remind me of variations of Tiffany blue. It feels luxurious, but not in your face. The bold yet simple case is a civilized 36 millimeters.
Conclusion: Tsao Baltimore’s Commitment
Something else I want to mention about the Legacy 36 is that it has 200 meters of water resistance. It’s so easy not to worry about water resistance for a watch that isn’t even a diver. And it happens far too often.
I mention that here because it seems that Tsao Baltimore is as committed to the craft and function as it is to its local community. I find that part of this project most attractive.
And if Tsao continues with this level of commitment, I can see them going full American one day. Just imagining that makes me want to support them.
Could you imagine real-deal watchmaking starting to come back to the US? All that to say, I’d recommend this brand to localvores and those who want a watch that’s also a conversation piece.
It’s not often you find a regional watchmaker who takes its local charm and manifests it into handcrafted timepieces with universal appeal.
You don’t have to be from Baltimore or even have lived there to appreciate the designs. I just learned what a Natty Boh beer is, and I’m highly considering adding that watch to my collection.
Questions? Comments? Sound off below!
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