Journal

At Jack Mason, giving back is an integral part of our company culture. Since the company was founded, we have helped support many charities and non-profits that benefit not only our local community but also some significant international efforts.

Inspired by the relaxing yet fast-paced nature of sailing, the Halyard name originates from the phrase "to haul yards," and refers to the ropes used to raise a boat's sails. Combining design cues from elegant sails and classic intricately designed boats, we created a watch that is functional yet refined.

A.J. Foyt is one of the most legendary drivers in race car history. He began his career in 1953 on the small dirt tracks around his hometown of Houston, TX, where he resides today.

Step into the cockpit of that car. As your weight sinks into the upholstered seat, a sense of security and adrenaline starts to build up inside you. Now, you grip the steering wheel and turn the ignition, and the menacing sound of the engine fills the area around you. You’re now in total control and ready to peel off the asphalt leaving tread marks behind you. 

The Jack Mason design team consists of some of the most talented watch designers in the industry, and we are so lucky to have them as part of the Jack Mason family. Get to know who designed your watch. 

Peter Cho - Creative Director

Peter was brought up living in 6 different states, but Chicago is where he claims as his home. Graduating with an Industrial Design degree from Parsons School of Design in Manhattan, Peter started his career in the New York area and moved to Texas in 2010. In 2015 Peter joined the team to launch the Jack Mason brand. "My favorite part of my job is working with multiple teams across Product Design and Development, Communication Design, and Marketing, to see our vision come to life," says Peter. 

What is your favorite Jack Mason watch that you have designed?

• My favorite watch is the automatic Diver watch because of the technicality and mixed materials involved in designing it. It truly is an everyday watch because of its durability and versatility.

How did you first get introduced to watch design?

• I thought I would be designing CD players and flip cell phones out of school, but there was a watch company named Movado that first offered me a job to be a watch designer. I knew nothing about watches and didn't even wear one, but immediately fell in love with the industry on day one.

Do you value anything that was passed down to you? If so, what is it? 

• My father used to make a living as an artist. The day I was born, he did a quick 45-second charcoal sketch of my face. It's hung on the walls of each house in the six states I've lived in, and I currently have it hung in my own home today. It's a reminder of where I came from and the values my father has taught me.

What is your theme song?

• My music spans across so many genres, so it's challenging to pick one. For now, I'll say any song by Gary Clark Jr.

What is the title of your memoir?

• Cheese and Pepperoni: Go with the classics

Who would play you in a movie?

• Joseph Gordon Levitt

What is number one on your bucket list?

• Travel to space

How do you like your coffee?

• Black

What is your favorite time of the year?

• Thanksgiving

How would you spend your ideal day in Dallas?

• An ideal day would start with some form of exercise in the morning to get it out of the way. It's important to me to be able to step away and clear the mind form the workweek by catching up with my closest friends. When the weather is nice, finding a beautiful patio for lunch and some cold beverages are one of my favorite things to do to spend the day.

Colin Curry - Senior Designer

Colin is a Dallas native who graduated from the University of Cincinnati with an Industrial Design Degree. In 2016 he started as the first designer for Jack Mason, and since then, he has worked his way to Senior Designer. "Getting samples of new development has always felt like Christmas, we spend so much time looking at the dimensional artwork on the computer, so nothing beats the moment we finally get to see a watch in the metal," says Colin.

What is your favorite Jack Mason watch that you have designed?

• The special edition Solar Watch will always be one of my favorites, not only because I like the aesthetic design but because of the new materials and processes we were able to experiment with to make the watch more eco-friendly. The fact that it has become so well-liked by our customers is just the icing on the cake for me.

How did you first get introduced to watch design?

• In college, I found out Fossil was headquartered in my hometown, which rekindled an old fascination with watches I'd had as a kid. I pursued an internship with Fossil after that and fell in love with designing timepieces.

Do you value anything that was passed down to you? If so, what is it?

• I have several pieces of furniture that were passed down to me, one of which is a dresser passed down from my great-grandmother. I have used it for as long as I can remember. The years it represents, not just as a piece of furniture, but also trees that grew and were milled into the wood that make it astound me.

What is your theme song?

• "Cool Cat" by Queen

What is the title of your memoir?

• Measure Once, Cut Twice: 30 Years of Learning by Doing

Who would play you in a movie?

• Adam Scott

What is number one on your bucket list?

• Replace at least 75% of the furniture I own with the furniture I make.

How do you like your coffee?

• Black

What is your favorite time of the year?

• Fall

How would you spend your ideal day in Dallas?

• Spending t day of midway games, corn dogs, funnel cake, and of-course Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas.

Foxx Ohmer - Designer

Foxx is from Northern Kentucky, just about 20 minutes south of the University of Cincinnati, where he graduated with an Industrial Design Degree. In June of 2018, Foxx joined the Jack Mason design team. Right out of the gate, he designed and helped launch the Limited Edition Regatta Timer. "My favorite part about my job is the hands-on involvement from the start of design through production," says Foxx. 

What is your favorite Jack Mason watch that you have designed?

• My favorite design would be Ellum. It's the first watch I designed from the ground up, and it's also our first true dress watch. I also think it comes together holistically really well; there is the theme of curvature that runs throughout the watch from the case creases, the lug profile from a side view, the overall pebble-esque shape, the dial, the indices, and the hands.

How did you first get introduced to watch design?

• Jack Mason was my introduction to watch design. I was interested in watches, but it wasn't until I interned here that I had any experience.

Do you value anything that was passed down to you? If so, what is it?

• I have some pocket knives from my grandfather and carved marble chess set from my grandmother. They are very important to me. I also attach sentimental value to things pretty easily.

What is your theme song?

• Either "Shake Me Down" by Cage the Elephant, "Calling All Skeletons" by Alkaline Trio, or "I Wanna Meet Dave Grohl" by Wavves.

What is the title of your memoir?

• Skate or die: the life and times of a product designer

Who would play you in a movie?

• Theo James, for sure.

What is number one on your bucket list?

• Number one on my bucket list right now is to see the Northern Lights.

How do you like your coffee?

• Typically I prefer a little bit of cream and sugar, but I can drink my coffee anyway, really, just not over ice.

What is your favorite time of the year?

• When I'm not melting in the sun, as long as it's below 100, I'm pretty content.

How would you spend your ideal day in Dallas?

• My ideal day in Dallas would be spent skateboarding - anywhere and everywhere.

Visit our office in Deep Ellum to meet our designers in person and shop all six watch collections. Are you looking for the ultimate Jack Mason experience? Click here for more information.

Introducing: The Ellum

The attitude of the 1960s was bold, rebellious, and innovative. With the introduction of television and an increase in disposable income, it was a decade of consumerism that birthed an iconic advertising industry.

Although a watch is not a new or inventive item, it is an item of status. It speaks to who you are, your life achievements, and where you intend to go in the future. As fast fashion has taken hold, the simple, wrist-worn signifier has diminished in value to many. What was once signified a major milestone moment, making the perfect gift for graduation, a first job or marriage, has fallen into a trend trap. We are reinventing this statement, bringing life, pride, and individuality back to watch ownership. 

5 Things to Look For in a Watch 

By educating you on what truly makes a quality watch, our team is elevating the industry in today's disposable accessory world, bringing meaning back to this purchase. These are the top five things we believe you should look for when buying a watch to ensure it is a quality timepiece that will last.   1. Case Material Watches are made in a variety of different metals that range from Zinc based alloys to solid precious metals with prices anywhere from $50 to $50,000, respectively. However, if you're looking for a watch that you know will last you for many years and won't cost you a small fortune, you should look for one made of Stainless Steel. This material comes in different grades, with the majority of the watch industry using 304 or 316L. Both grades are suitable for daily wear and tear and will last for years, with 316L having a slight advantage for its higher corrosion resistant properties. It's also commonly used in the food and health industry as it passes for being "surgical grade." In some rare cases, you will find 904L, which is considered to be extremely corrosion-resistant, but it's mostly seen in the high-end Swiss watch brands. Jack Mason uses 316L as a standard for all metal watch parts.  2. Water Resistance When searching for a watch, it's best to understand how the watch will be worn to find one that has the proper water resistance. An Atmosphere (ATM) is a unit of measurement used to indicate the water-resistance of a watch. One atmosphere equals 10 meters. For instance, if your watch usage is primarily in wet conditions, you are going to want to look for one that is at least 10ATM (100 meters). This level of resistance is safe for showering, precipitation, and swimming. Watches at 5ATM (50 meters) will be safe to wear if it comes in contact with rain or when you wash your hands. A watch under 5ATM, such as 3ATM, is not recommended for occasional rain and is at risk for water damage when washing your hands. Jack Mason watches are 10ATM and above to ensure safety from any day to day contact with water. 3. Sapphire Crystal vs. Mineral Crystal The crystal is the clear covering over the dial. Mineral crystals are most commonly used in watchmaking. These crystals are made up of different elements that are treated for hardness. For a much more scratch-resistant crystal, you want to look for a sapphire. This material is the second hardest mineral behind diamonds. Jack Mason watches come standard with sapphire crystals with an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare.  4. Movement Movement types vary depending on the country of origin as they all come in different qualities and accuracy in keeping time. To have peace of mind in time-keeping accuracy and build quality, you will need to look for a watch with a Japanese or Swiss movement. Both countries have over 100 years of watchmaking experience and have the highest technology and the most skilled hands in the world. Jack Mason uses both Japanese and Swiss movements to ensure the highest quality of time-keeping.  5. Leather Straps Leather quality can make or break a watch, sometimes literally. It's no secret that the country of Italy is home to some of the best leather tanneries in the world. Other countries also produce high-quality leather, but when it comes to watch straps, it is best to rub your fingers into the leather and feel how the surface reacts. It is quite easy to tell when a leather feels "plasticky" from the surface coating or just plain flimsy.

In an industry split between the quality watch and the trend-based timepiece, you are forced to choose between a lower quality item that you'll likely need to replace within a few years or making a significant investment in a luxury watch that will probably spend most of the time in a jewelry box instead of out exploring the world with you. At Jack Mason, you don't have to choose. We are redefining the watch industry by offering an approachable price point for a timeless style watch that is built to last.

We frequently hear from Jack Mason customers and loyal fans that they don't know who Jack Mason is. It's important to us that our customers know who made their watch and for them to be proud to wear our timepiece on their wrist. We are a family of passionate people creating an exceptional product in which we strongly believe. When you buy a Jack Mason watch, you become a part of our family.

Get to Know Jack Mason 

To know who Jack Mason is, you need to understand why the company began.

Jack Mason is a Texas-born company bringing independence, approachability and legacy to the watch industry. Since our founding in 2015, we have focused on developing a line of thoughtfully designed, luxury timepieces. Our team has over 75 years of combined experience in the watch industry. Because of that, we were able to identify a significant gap in the watch industry. There were very few – if any – watchmakers designing and building beautiful, collectible watches that demonstrated the look and the feel of a luxury watch, but were offered at an attainable price point — knowing that we brought Jack Mason to life.

Our goal as a company is to revive the art of traditional watch design, through educating the consumer on what makes a watch last a lifetime. We sincerely believe that the watch a man chooses to wear showcases who he is while also creating a legacy of who he wants to be. We want to restore the prestige to the industry, ensuring that our watches aren't trend-driven, but timeless. We have to ensure that our timepieces are at the highest quality and that they can truly last a lifetime. We're building a brand that our consumers want to support.

Over the next few weeks, we are going to share our story, philosophy, and more with you. If you aren't on our email list, sign up to receive updates.

We at Jack Mason are passionate about creating thoughtfully designed watches. From the intricate mechanical gauges of race cars, planes and ships, to classic vintage style timepieces, each watch we create draws inspiration from iconic masterpieces. As an extension of our current watch collections, we are launching a series of limited edition watches to honor iconic events and figures in history that inspire each of us. Introducing the Jack Mason Limited Edition Series, each including 100 numbered and thoughtfully designed timepieces.  

Texas Icons Series

The first series in our limited edition collection, Texas Icons, is intended to honor our roots by celebrating the events and figures in Texas history that are iconic in their industry. With each watch in this series, we conducted in-depth research to find the most relevant people, places, and things for both our brand and our fans. Original, influential, transformative, and memorable are words that we think best describe what it means to be iconic. We want to pay homage to these Texas Icons who have made an impact by not only designing a watch but also sharing their story and supporting their current charitable efforts. 

Introducing: Spindletop Limited Edition Timepiece

For the rest of the world, the 20th century began on January 1, 1901. For Texas, it began when the Lucas Gusher blew at Spindletop, on January 10. The Spindletop Limited Edition Timepiece was created to celebrate the legacy of the iconic reserve that paved the way for the modern petroleum industry and changed our home state of Texas forever. 

The first watch in our Texas Icons Series was created in collaboration with the Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown Museum. 

"We are excited that Jack Mason is bringing Spindletop back to life in their release of the new Spindletop themed timepiece. It's a beautiful representation of the historical event that changed life and the economy in the U.S. forever, and we hope that it will be as popular as the first Lucas Gusher in 1901," said Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown Museum Director, Troy Gray. 

Each element of the watch's design was inspired by the term Black Gold. It has a black case body and bracelet, and gold-plated markers and hands. The bezel, crown, and movement are also plated in gold, while the dial has a black texture to represent the oil-covered land in Beaumont when the gusher blew. 

"Similar to many of our other automatic timepieces, the case back is exposed showcasing the gold-plated Miyota 820A movement, the edition number, and the date of the Spindletop oil boom," said Peter Cho, Jack Mason's Creative Director. 

Each matte black and metallic gold box set includes an interchangeable leather strap, a hand-numbered edition card, and a contemporary 1900s style newspaper pamphlet that tells the story of the 1901 oil boom. 

Don't miss out on your chance to own one of these limited edition timepieces. It is limited to 100 editions. 

Key Product Specs

• 40mm Case Size
• 20mm Lug Width 
• 20ATM Water resistance 
• Sapphire Crystal
• 3-Hand Automatic Movement
• Day & Date Window

Remember when Netflix called and asked us to make a watch for The Highwaymen?  The custom-designed watch was a proud moment for us!  After numerous requests to own the Netflix limited edition watch, we have some good news to share.  You, too, can own something like it. 

Watches are typically purchased to celebrate major milestones or special occasions, and many are passed down from generation to generation. Whether it was gifted to you or you bought it for yourself, a watch reminds you of that particular time or special person in your life.