JS Watch Co. is probably the smallest watch brand you’ve never heard of — and one of the most charming.
Handmade in Iceland. Swiss movements. Clean Scandinavian design. Built by a father-and-son team who craft watches one at a time in a little workshop in downtown Reykjavik.
If that sounds romantic, that’s because it is. But the watches? Surprisingly serious.
JS Watch Co. was founded in 2005 by Sigurður (Siggi) Stefánsson, a master watchmaker and horology historian, alongside his son Gilbert and two close partners.
It’s based in Reykjavik, Iceland, and proudly calls itself “the world’s northernmost watch manufacturer.” From day one, the focus has been on
traditional watchmaking at a micro scale — no outsourcing, no mass production, just pure craftsmanship in small batches.
They produce fewer than 200 watches per year, using Swiss mechanical movements (mostly ETA or Soprod) and assembling everything in-house by hand.
JS Watch Co. hits a very specific note: understated elegance with microbrand soul.
Highlights include:
Movements are reliable Swiss autos or hand-winds, assembled and regulated by Siggi himself or the JS team. Every watch comes numbered, often
signed, and delivered with Icelandic pride.
Because it’s the opposite of hype.
No influencer collabs. No limited-edition cash grabs. Just a tiny workshop making thoughtfully designed watches, one at a time, for people who appreciate the craft.
There’s a warmth to every JS watch — from the proportions to the typography — that feels personal. But the execution? Totally legit. Everything is
finished to a high standard, and the build quality holds up against much bigger names.
And let’s be honest: how many watches do you own from Iceland?
JS Watch Co. doesn’t flood the market, so availability is limited by nature. You’ll mostly find:
These watches are more common in Europe, but they’ve slowly gained traction with American collectors who appreciate microbrands done right.
JS Watch Co. is what you recommend to a guy who’s been through everything — and wants something small, soulful, and different.
I’ve seen a few over the years, and they always have this quiet, vintage-meets-modern character. The Sif Diver is a beast in the best way. The Islandus? Just elegant.
It’s the kind of brand where meeting the watchmaker is part of the pitch. And if you’re lucky enough to do that in Reykjavik? Even better.
Delray Watch is always on the lookout for unique JS Watch Co. watches — especially Islandus, Sif N.A.R.T., and Frisland models.
If you have a JS Watch Co. watch you’re ready to sell or trade – reach out. We’re always buying.
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