The Revival of American Watchmaking – With R.T. Custer

this episode, I sat down with R.T. Custer to explore how he's bringing precision craftsmanship back to American soil. As the founder of Vortic Watch Company, R.T. began his journey a decade ago by upcycling antique American pocket watches into stunning wristwatches—each a one-of-a-kind blend of history and innovation. Now, with the launch of Colorado Watch Company, he's scaling that mission, aiming to produce over 500 watches a month. It’s a bold step forward for U.S. manufacturing.

Investing in American-Made Legacy

R.T. and I dug deep into the growing appetite for American-made products. There’s something powerful about choosing to support local—whether it's your community’s small businesses or the infrastructure that keeps our economy moving. We shared our hopes that more consumers will embrace domestically produced goods—not only for the quality, but because they represent a future built on sustainability, resilience, and meaningful employment.

A Return to Craftsmanship and Physical Innovation

One of the themes that resonated with me most was the tactile joy of building physical products. R.T. shared how fulfilling it is to work with his hands—and to create meaningful jobs for others doing the same. We discussed how newer generations are rediscovering analog experiences, from vinyl records to mechanical watches, in a digitally saturated world. There’s a renaissance happening—and it’s reminding us that innovation isn’t just digital. It’s human.

The Market Potential for American-Made Watches

We also touched on market opportunity—how entrepreneurs and cultural leaders like Kevin O’Leary are championing American craftsmanship. R.T. envisions producing up to 1,000 watches per month through Colorado Watch Company, bringing premium, American-made timepieces to a niche yet growing audience. This isn’t just about watches—it’s about reclaiming our manufacturing heritage and proving that we can lead with quality and purpose.

Reviving Industry in the American West

Our conversation closed on a big-picture note. We talked about Colorado’s roots in innovation and industry—and how the American West once symbolized opportunity, grit, and reinvention. Today, that spirit is still alive. R.T.’s work isn’t just about making watches—it’s about modeling what’s possible when we believe in rebuilding. We need more of that energy. More leaders. More makers. And more belief in what’s possible—right here at home.

 

To make his American Dream come true. With his back to the wall, R.T. Custer sold his car to make payroll.    With a few grand wired directly into a fledgling watch company that builds every piece, case, crown, and buckle on U.S. soil. Vortic Watch Co. is one of the last remaining brands to manufacture wristwatches entirely in America, sourcing, machining, and assembling everything on U.S. soil.    In a market where "resilience" is just a branding exercise, R.T. made it real. This is what actual entrepreneurship looks like: gritty, unfiltered, and painfully honest. And in a sea of curated founder stories, R.T.'s hits like a punch to the gut.   “We’re all a little delusional. You have to be. You either believe in yourself or fold. I chose belief.” R.T. Custer   Website:  https://coloradowatchcompany.com/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rtcuster/ Website:  https://www.rtcuster.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/rtcuster/?hl=en