A watch isn’t just “a watch.” It symbolizes the wearer’s appetite, zeal & zest towards life. If you take pride in your watch, chances are you’re punctual, diligent with your time, and hopefuly, you have good sense of style and an eye for great design as well. For those avid watch enthusiasts, we’d like to introduce Jorg Gray watches into your horology lexicon. Made in America, the brand was founded in 2001, and they might just be the best quality timepieces you’ll find on the market for under a thousand dollars. Details you’l find on these watches include cases with silver & rose-gold stainless steel finishes, scratch-resistant, sapphire crystal dials, and straps made from Italian buffalo-grain leather. And in case you needed another reason for checking out their watches, try this: President Obama wears a Jorg Gray watch, and that’s the bible truth. Read our Q&A with the brand below.
“President Obama proudly wore the JG6500 Secret Service Edition timepiece at his inauguration in 2009 …”
When did Jorg Gray come into existence and what was the original founding principle behind Jorg Gray watches?
Jorg Gray was launched in 2001 by Logomark, Inc., a leading North American promotional products company founded by Trevor Gnesin in 1998. With a goal to challenge the status quo by daring to reinvent the timepiece, Jorg Gray sought to create American designed watches that offered something new and refreshing in the timepiece market. In 2009, Jorg Gray became an official retail brand and has since grown exponentially, revered and respected for its modern-, classic- and sport-designed timepieces that satisfy the modern generation’s demands for both cutting-edge engineering and outstanding quality. Jorg Gray’s visually striking, boldly designed watches combine high-quality materials that transition from classic to elegant, yet are rugged enough to fit any lifestyle.
Where are your watches designed, assembled and manufactured?
Jorg Gray watches are designed in Tustin, Calif., and assembled in factories on the Pacific Rim and Japan. An additional quality control team in California approves the timepieces before they are shipped out from the headquarters in Tustin.
Can you tell us a little bit more about the specific watch movements in Jorg Gray watches?
Though a few Jorg Gray watches are equipped with Japanese Miyota movements, including the best-selling JG6500, Jorg Gray quartz movements are now predominantly Swiss, particularly from the Ronda family. The cases are cut from solid brushed or polished 316 grade stainless steel, and the watches are crafted with a mix of sapphire crystal, sapphire coated, and scratch-resistant mineral crystals.
Also, apart from the watch movements, what other elements of design set Jorg Gray apart from other competing watch brands?
Every watch we design and produce features the Jorg Gray initials on the back tip of the second hand and on the custom crown. In addition, every watch is marked with a unique serial number on its back plate. We are one of the few brands that offer that level of detail and it shows how special every Jorg Gray timepiece is to us.
In the vast realm of watches with brands like Rolex, Heuer, Jaeger Le Coultre, Timex, Nixon, Swatch etc, what exactly is the niche and space that Jorg Gray occupies?
As a proud American brand, we know exactly where we stand in the market. For those that already have a good collection of expensive watches and are looking for a stylish timepiece with an outstanding build quality at an affordable price, Jorg Gray is the brand to close that gap. We offer a lot for the price point. For example, the Jorg Gray Limited Edition Collection provides style, durability and functionality in each of its built-to-last athletic timepieces. Each model is individually numbered and limited to only 1,000 pieces – making them legendary pieces of sports history. The Sports Collection is designed for fitness or finesse – offering top performance in any scenario. These purpose-driven wristwatches are cut from stainless steel, offered in rugged integrated silicone-rubber straps or stainless steel bracelets, and designed with bold pops of color. The collection offers chronograph, three-hand designs as well as divers watches, with most capable of withstanding water depths up to 200 meters.
How would you describe the target male customer who’s a lifelong devotee to your brand?
Jorg Gray attracts consumers between 25 and 45 years old who are on their way to achieving success or are already leading a successful professional and personal life. From the sporty, dynamic and masculine watches, to the elegant and sophisticated watches from the Jorg Gray Classic Collection that easily transition from the boardroom to black tie, each timepiece is designed for the authentic gentleman who carefully invests in his own future.
Of course, we read the press about the American Secret Service wearing Jorg Gray watches. How did the company develop this impressive relationship?
The United States Secret Service was looking for an outstanding watch to offer their team and selected the JG6500, which bears on its face the USSS Star and is available to employees of the Secret Service through the shop in their headquarters.
Also, the honorable president of the United States, Barack Obama also wears your brand. Tell us about the commemorative presidential Jorg Gray watch …
After President Obama proudly wore the JG6500 Secret Service Edition timepiece at his inauguration in 2009, we felt strongly that this historical moment should be memorialized, and so the commemorative edition of the JG6500 was born. Jorg Gray’s Presidential Collection, now worn by dignitaries across the globe, commands attention with timepieces of uncompromising quality and functionality. These aviator-style instruments are crafted with high-precision movements and chronograph features originally designed for pilots. Easy-to-read luminous hands and hour markings provide assistance and assurance, whether tracking time zones or navigating challenging schedule demands. Encased in a silver or rose-gold stainless-steel finish, the scratch-resistant mineral crystal or sapphire crystal timepieces wear comfortably with alligator-pattern or buffalo-grain Italian leather straps, or a stainless-steel bracelet.
Watches have become an integral facet in the surging growth of the men’s fashion industry lately. How does Jorg Gray intend to capitalize on this continuing trend?
A watch is more than simply a utilitarian device for telling time. The level of technology and detail that goes into a modern timepiece speaks to the sophistication of the wearer, and every watch is a window into an individuals taste and lifestyle. A watch exists as a piece of jewelry that accessorizes a look without being ostentatious or flashy. There is an effortless style that comes through when a man wears a Jorg Gray watch. It says, “I don’t have to try too hard.”
Jorg Gray will continue to offer unique watch designs of outstanding value and quality, and to ensure that we continue to relate to our core audience, we are in the process of updating our public profile. A new and cutting-edge website with innovative features will go live soon and will give Jorg Gray the opportunity to showcase bold new styles and classic lines in a way that’s contemporary and fresh. As always, we will continue to offer American men a classic timepiece as a stylish alternative to electronic wearables.
Jorg Gray has already enjoyed a lot of success as a respected timepiece brand. What are the areas of growth and expansion you envision for the next 5-10 years?
We will continue to develop and grow our lines while remaining committed to our core values of quality and style that has defined the brand in the past. From 2009-2014, Jorg Gray launched over 250 different styles of watches. The collection has grown to include more than 90 different styles. With each new addition to the Jorg Gray collection we envision offering thoughtful pieces that appeal to just about any man
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