Alan Tsao is the founder and creative lead of Tsao Baltimore, an independent watch brand established in 2017. A Baltimore native, Tsao’s interest in horology began at age ten when he received a Fossil watch, an event that sparked a lifelong fascination with watch mechanics and design. Before entering the watch industry, he built a professional background in graphic design, marketing, and advertising, skills that later proved essential in developing his brand’s identity.

The inspiration for Tsao Baltimore came following a suggestion from his wife to create his own timepieces rather than continuing to expand his personal collection. Tsao launched his first design through a successful Kickstarter campaign, focusing on mechanical movements and Maryland-centric storytelling. Under his leadership, the company has grown from producing quartz watches to developing the MD-1, a Maryland-assembled automatic movement. His work is characterized by collaborations with local icons like Old Bay and the Baltimore Orioles, as well as commemorative projects, such as a timepiece crafted from salvaged steel to benefit families affected by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. In 2025, Tsao expanded his operations by acquiring Maryland Watch Works, further centralizing production in his home state.