anOrdain
anOrdain is a British watchmaker known for hand-made enamel dials. Founded by a former architect and product designer, it assembles and regulates each watch by hand in its own workshop.
| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Speciality | Enamel watch dials |
| Production | Hand-assembled in-house |
| Techniques | Cloisonné, champlevé, plique-à-jour, sgraffito |
| Website | anordain.com |
What is anOrdain?
anOrdain is a British watch brand built around a workshop where enamel dials and watches are made in-house. It was founded by Lewis, who trained as an architect and worked as a product designer, with Imogen among its founding members.
Products and positioning
The brand is best known for its enamel dials. The team has trialled more than 160 varieties of enamel, including opaque and gradient types, and uses traditional techniques:
- Cloisonné and champlevé
- Plique-à-jour and sgraffito
- Engraving alongside modern tools such as CAD, 3D printing for prototypes and a Schaublin 70 lathe
Each watch is hand-assembled and individually regulated. The studio also handles its own typography, graphic design and packaging, keeping the whole presentation of the product under one roof.
Why it matters
anOrdain shows how a small independent maker can build a distinctive identity in watches by mastering a single decorative craft. Its focus on enamel, a technique associated with high-end watchmaking, combined with in-house production, makes it a reference for craft-led independent brands outside the traditional Swiss centres.
Frequently asked questions
What is anOrdain known for?
anOrdain is known for watches with hand-made enamel dials, assembled and regulated by hand in its own workshop.
Who founded anOrdain?
anOrdain was founded by Lewis, a trained architect and former product designer.