Blok Watches is a contemporary American watch brand founded in 2020 and headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. The company was established by Neil Ferrier, owner of the design firm Discommon, alongside co-founders James Walker, a former global head of investments at J.P. Morgan, and Oliver Fowles, who serves as the director of product. The founders, who are self-described “watch nerds,” launched the brand after identifying a lack of high-quality, durable analog watches designed specifically for children.
The brand’s primary mission is to help children conceptualize and manage time through a proprietary visual system. This is achieved using a unique rotating bezel divided into four distinct “bloks” representing 5, 10, 20, and 30-minute intervals. By aligning the minute hand with these segments, children can visualize the passage of time and set simple timers for activities, which the founders believe helps develop responsibility and time-management skills.
Enthusiasts and parents are drawn to Blok Watches because they bridge the gap between disposable children’s toys and serious horology. Unlike many youth-focused timepieces, Blok watches are “kid-proof” and built to adult standards of durability. They feature Swiss-made ETA quartz movements, scratch-resistant sapphire crystals, and stainless steel screw-down crowns. The watches are also rated for 100 meters of water resistance and utilize sustainable bio-polymer cases, ensuring they can withstand the rigors of active play.
The brand’s inaugural and most recognized model is the Blok 33. This 33mm watch is ergonomically designed for smaller wrists and features a left-hand crown placement to prevent irritation during movement. It is available in a variety of vibrant color combinations, such as aqua/teal and fuchsia/magenta. Expanding on their success, the brand introduced the BK38, a 38mm GMT model intended as a more “grown-up” version that retains the brand’s signature time-management system while adding dual-time functionality.
