ABOUT US 

CUSTOM T. WATCH ATELIER is an independent watch design workshop specialising in crafting exclusive custom tool watches for watch enthusiasts.

“It’s all about reimagining the iconics."

Charles & Sakamoto

Designed with the spirit of "IKI”

“IKI” (いき/粋) is a Japanese aesthetic, born in Edo period.
It is an expression of simplicity, sophistication, spontaneity, and originality.
It is ephemeral, romantic, measured, audacious, and unselfconscious.
“Iki” is exhibited directly and unabashedly.

All our watches are created with the spirit of “Iki”.
A way to reflect modern watch designs.
A uniquely Japanese aesthetic.

WHEN TWO ENTHUSIASTS MET

Founded by Charles and Sakamoto, the story of CUSTOM T. WATCH ATELIER evolved out of a simple yet elegant meeting and further developed into a lasting friendship built on shared passions. Charles is a former watch expert from Sotheby’s and an enthusiastic watch collector and Sakamoto is a passionate camera collector specialising in rangefinder customisation.

During a trip to Tokyo in 2019, Charles shared his frustration at not being able to get the grail custom watch he had been dreaming of with Sakamoto. The pair realised they needed to establish CUSTOM T. WATCH ATELIER, not only to share their vision for watch customisation but to allow their services to be accessible to any enthusiast no matter their budget.

Inspiration Is the Seed of Imagination

Created in the spirit of “Iki”, our watches are crafted for those who are never satisfied with the ordinary. At the forefront of every design is a deep appreciation of the arts and a love for mechanical tool watches. A balance is forged by fusing iconic features with prominent watch designs and modern materials to produce a durable mechanical watch that will stand the test of time. We aim to breathe new life into classic tool watches by creating distinguished designs that are modern and unique yet able to retain the original spirit and DNA of the classics that we all love.

Our Vision in Watch Design

Disruptive, forward-thinking, and design-focused, our vision is to create unique custom tool watches with innovative designs at great value without compromising the quality. As often found in other luxury markets, a few key companies dominate the watch industry. The opportunity to own a bespoke timepiece is usually limited to a very elite group of people.

To disrupt this antiquated bias, Charles initiated an experimental project that would combine his extensive experience in watch collecting with Sakamoto’s expertise in rangefinder customisation. He wanted to produce exclusive custom tool watches without the premium price tag and year-long waiting lists. The project and watch prototypes were a great success and Charles made the decision to establish CUSTOM T. WATCH ATELIER.

When Art Meets Mechanics

Tool watches have been strongly present throughout history. We’ve witnessed them travel to the Moon, cross oceans, break records, and overcome challenges and adventures. We're committed to solely producing mechanical tool watches because we believe their practicality and timelessness match our brand philosophy. We believe a tool watch is created not only for telling time but also as an art piece, and we want to appreciate the mechanics and engineering behind each one.

Through a variety of precise modifications, we have remastered some of the most iconic tool watches. We want you to proudly wear your custom watch through all the important milestones in your life, a story that will be passed on for generations, a shared passion.

At CUSTOM T. WATCH ATELIER, we’ve spent countless hours researching every detail in our remastering process. Our watches are thoughtfully designed with traceable origins such as:
· Inspirations extracted from nature or specific themes that deeply connect to people.
· The re-interpretation of unique design features from some historical timepieces.
· The usage of innovative materials and the application of colour theory...
These are only some notable elements that make our custom tool watches extraordinary.

It takes Time to Make a Beautiful Timepiece

Design and customisation are the DNA of our brand, yet the quality of our watches is our top priority. With over 30 years of experience in the luxury industry, Charles deeply understands the importance of quality in watchmaking. This is reflected in the craftsmanship of our products, as well as the selection of our materials, specifications, and manufacturing.

We recognize the value of time and how quickly it can go by. We don’t rush our process, as good things take time. We have chosen to be a limited production brand, only producing a small number of watches every year. We are committed to producing high-quality timepieces, crafted to last and designed to help people remember the important moments in life. We want your timepiece to be one you enjoy wearing anywhere and one that you are proud to have as an everyday companion.

For the Love of the Planet

In addition to our vision of building a successful watch brand that allows people to express themselves, we want CUSTOM T. WATCH ATELIER to be a platform that advocates sustainability within the watch community.

We feel sustainability is one of our social responsibilities and are committed to producing sustainable products. We only offer high-quality mechanical watches designed to last. Our philosophy is “Buy Less, Choose Well, and Make it Last.” We have also implemented 3 initiatives to show our commitment to building a truly sustainable brand: the Limited Production Principle, a No Discount Policy and a 3-Year Warranty. You will find more information about each of these below.

As a purpose-driven brand, we strive to consciously select sustainable materials for our products, such as recycled plastic and paper, and this will always remain our principle in the future. We are pleased to be a member of the “1% for the Planet” global network. Although we are a small company, we hope every small step we take will make a difference in protecting our planet. We believe we can all do our part, and we can all give back.

01

LIMITED PRODUCTION PRINCIPLE

SOMETHING ABOVE AND BEYOND BUSINESS

Our Limited Production Principle is a way for us to express our passion for watch customization and the spirit of Iki. By producing limited batches of custom tool watches every year, we can remain small and independent, giving each piece the time and dedication it deserves to ensure you are entirely satisfied with your purchase.

With our effort and commitment, we hope that our next-generation tool watches encapsulate a story, helping you remember all the important moments in life. Your timepiece must become a companion that you will enjoy anytime, anywhere.

02

NO DISCOUNT POLICY

DISCOUNTING IS SIMPLY NOT OUR PHILOSOPHY

Each watch has a beautiful story to tell and a uniquely personal connection to the owner. We pride ourselves on the quality of our products and are proud of what we offer. We stand behind the effort our artisans spend on each piece so discounting is not part of our philosophy. 

Together with our Limited Production Principle, we can have better control of our inventory and deliver unrivalled value to our customers.

03

WARRANTY

3-YEAR WARRANTY

We offer a 2-Year International Limited Warranty on all the custom watches we create. When you buy a timepiece from CUSTOM T. WATCH ATELIER, you will have complete peace of mind.

You have the option to extend your warranty from 2 to 3 years by joining our “Customer Care Programme”. You can receive tips on how to care for your watch and be the first to receive important news from us. Please contact us for more details.

EXPLORE OUR INSPIRATIONS

CUSTOM T. WATCH ATELIER is an independent boutique watch design workshop specialising in crafting exclusive custom tool watches for watch enthusiasts. Armed with years of experience in the luxury watch auction industry and modifications of high-end rangefinder cameras, our work is the fruit of serious reflection on innovation and creativity.