There’s just something about Texas… if you live here you’ll know what I’m talking about.  While many states have pride in their state, Texas has next-level pride.  It’s common here to see bumper stickers that proudly proclaim, “I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!”

Peter Cho and Craig Carter, co-founders of Jack Mason watches, both live out that bumper sticker motto.  While neither was born in Texas, they have lived in the state for over 15 years and nearly 20 years respectively.  Texas is home.  Not only do they live here, but they also love it here.  They are proud to be Texans and they aim to bring that Texas pride to watchmaking.

Chances are you’ve heard of Jack Mason, but you may be surprised that the brand is less than 10 years old.  The brand has grown rapidly and at the heart of the brand is a deep love and respect for Texas.  At its core, Jack Mason has always had an affinity for the strong, rugged American spirit – a spirit that is alive and well in Texas.  Thus, since its inception, Jack Mason has subtly represented Texas.

On all of their watches, Jack Mason includes the colors of the Texas flag as the counterbalance on the second hand.  In addition, on each Jack Mason crown, you’ll find a tiny Lone Star – a shape every Texan is familiar with.  See, I told you they were subtle…

But after several years of a nationwide focus and subtle Texas pride, Peter and Craig have decided to be a little less subtle about their Texas pride.  If you follow Jack Mason you’ve probably seen their new Strat-O-Meter GMT watch.  For the first time, the Lone Star has migrated to a much more prominent position: on the dial.  That’s just a taste of what’s to come as the gentlemen behind the brand start getting back to their Texas roots.

I recently met the cofounders at the LA MicroLux watch show in Austin, Texas. Myself a resident of Texas, I was intrigued by Peter and Craig’s infectious passion for our state. I recently sat down with Peter to unpack it a little more. When I asked him “why Texas?” he simply responded that “there’s just something about Texas. When you live here, you get it.”

Peter grew up in the Midwest and spent several years living in various places around the country.  But when he got to Texas, he was home.  Something felt different about the Lone Star state, and he couldn’t put his finger on it at first.  But the more years he has spent here the more it has become clear: the thing that’s different about Texas is that Texan pride… That Texans help Texans…  And that Texans support Texans.

Jack Mason has thus made it their mission to bring the watchmaking community to Texas.  Today if you pick up one of their new GMT watches, you’ll see the back of the watch stamped with the words “Designed in Texas, Assembled in the USA.”  They aim one day to be the household name for watches in Texas. 

What about you?  Are you a proud Texan?  If so, you need a Jack Mason brand watch in your collection.  Whether you’re a fan of the Aggies or the Longhorns, the Mavericks or the Spurs, the Rangers or the Astros – there’s a Jack Mason for you.

If you’re not from Texas, Peter and Craig won’t hold it against you.  But they promise that you’ll be impressed by the quality of their watches and that you’ll leave feeling like family.  Because after all, that’s what being a Texan is all about.