Bozeman Watch Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Watchmaking |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Christopher F. Wardle |
| Defunct | May 9, 2015 |
| Headquarters | Bozeman , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Christopher F. Wardle (founder) |
| Products | High-end mechanical watches |
Bozeman Watch Company was a high-end watchmaker headquartered in Bozeman, Montana. The firm gained accreditation for its mechanical movements from the Contrôle officiel suisse des Chronomètres (COSC), an authority renowned for precision benchmarks. Operations at Bozeman Watch Company ended on May 9, 2015.
History
Established by Christopher F. Wardle, originally from Birmingham, Michigan, the brand specialized in designs inspired by the mid-20th century era. Wardle partnered with an industrial designer to bring his initial ideas to fruition, debuting their first timepiece, the Smokejumper Chronograph, in 2005.
As of November 2024, Christopher F. Wardle remains incarcerated at Gallatin County Jail without bond on felony stalking allegations and is under suspicion regarding the death of his wife, Catherine Sorensen, in February 2023, facing two felony charges connected to the case.
Operations
The company inaugurated its initial showroom in Bozeman, Montana in 2005. By 2008, it had grown its design team based in Michigan, boosting its ability to create proprietary engineering data and tooling for bespoke watch parts to support showroom expansion. In 2010, Bozeman Watch Company opened dealerships in Whitefish, followed by a location in Jackson Hole in 2011.
Developing and launching a new watch model can require up to three years. Unlike many manufacturers who utilize catalog-sourced components, Bozeman exclusively commissions custom parts tailored specifically for their watches, thereby strengthening their market position through distinctive craftsmanship.
Yellowstone
The women's Yellowstone model presents a case featuring interwoven sapphire crystals and offers water resistance up to 5 ATM (~). It is equipped with a 21-jewel automatic mechanical movement incorporating date and sweeping second hand functions. In 2011, a run of 100 units was planned alongside a men's version with a 25-jewel automatic movement, available with either stainless steel or black alligator leather straps.
B1 Hellcat
This model includes options for tan or black saddle leather bands as well as a stainless steel bracelet. The initial batch of 200 units showcases a diameter dial, height profile, a 25-jewel Swiss movement operating at 28,800 VPH, sweep second hand, date display, screw-down crown, and water resistance rated up to .
SnowMaster Telemetric
The SnowMaster Telemetric is housed in a stainless steel case and powered by a 25-jewel automatic Swiss Valjoux movement. Each movement receives COSC certification in Geneva and features chronograph timing capabilities, a GMT function for tracking an additional time zone, plus telemetric scales for measuring speed and distance.
Smokejumper GMT and Smokejumper Chronograph
Two flagship models include the Smokejumper GMT and Chronograph. The GMT serves as the official watch of the National Smokejumpers and is offered in silver and black or enamel finishes with super luminescent detailing. It incorporates an automatic Swiss mechanical movement with 21 jewels running at 28,800 VPH and offers a 42-hour power reserve alongside a second time zone feature. This model holds COSC certification, is water resistant to , and uses domed sapphire crystals. The case back bears the engraved logo of the Missoula, MT smokejumper base. Production is strictly limited to 100 individually numbered pieces. The Chronograph model—the company's sole chronograph option—measures 46.5 mm and is similarly restricted to 100 numbered units.
Herradura
Created under the expertise of Josh Beckett, a two-time World Series champion and Boston Red Sox pitcher, the Herradura bears Beckett's autograph on each of the 53 individually numbered units. This timepiece is equipped with 24 jewels, operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, and includes a sweeping second hand alongside a date display positioned at three o’clock. With COSC certification, it showcases raised Arabic numerals paired with gold-colored luminescent markers. The watch offers water resistance and is encased in stainless steel, complemented by a handcrafted saddle tan leather strap.
Sidewinder
Belonging to the "Montana Class Watch Collection," the Sidewinder Retrograde draws inspiration from 19th-century aesthetics with its elevated dial details. This limited edition comprises 100 pieces featuring silver dials and 50 with black dials, each marked with a unique serial number. The watch incorporates a power reserve indicator sub-dial, sweeping second hand, date window at three o’clock, and holds COSC certification. It is water resistant and encased in stainless steel with a convex sapphire crystal dome.
USS Montana
The USS Montana model is powered by a modified Val Granges automatic movement containing 24 jewels and running at 28,800 vibrations per hour. It holds COSC certification and features a sweeping second hand along with raised blue Roman numeral hour markers. Water resistance is ensured within a stainless steel case that includes a convex sapphire crystal and tiered lugs for added design distinction.
2nd Edition Cutthroats
The second iteration of the Cutthroat watch offers a 24-hour GMT complication and is available in five distinct variants. It runs on a Swiss automatic caliber featuring 21 jewels, 28,800 vibrations per hour, a sweeping second hand, date display, and an outer dial indicating a secondary time zone in 24-hour format. COSC certified, the watch displays elevated luminescent hour markers, provides water resistance up to 10 ATM, and is housed in a 42 mm stainless steel case with a slim profile of 10.5 mm topped by a domed sapphire crystal.
Schofield
Manufactured in an exclusive series of only 10 units in 2010, the Schofield model boasts a 44 mm stainless steel case and contains 24 jewels operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour. It includes a sweeping second hand and a date aperture located at three o’clock. The dial features individually applied stainless steel Roman numerals alongside raised luminescent markers at the quarter-hour positions (3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock). Available with either silver or black dials, this model offers high-end strap options such as Caiman crocodile, Louisiana alligator, or Montana saddle leather—all finished with deployment buckles.