Jacob Hatzidimitriou is a Greek entrepreneur and the founder of Ianos, an independent watch brand established in 2019. A lawyer by trade, Hatzidimitriou’s entry into the horological industry was driven by a desire to represent Greek history and culture through the medium of mechanical watches. The inspiration for the brand originated in 2013 during a visit to Italy, where he observed how local watch designs celebrated regional landmarks, a practice he felt was missing in his native Greece.
Despite having no formal background in watchmaking or the watch industry, Hatzidimitriou began developing his first timepiece in 2017. He has cited this lack of industry experience as a factor that allowed him to approach design without being constrained by traditional manufacturing rules. His vision was to create a “living Greek history book,” where every design choice serves as a narrative element rather than just a technical specification.
Under his leadership, Ianos successfully launched its debut watch, the Avyssos, through a Kickstarter campaign in 2019. The brand is known for its “design-forward” philosophy and has since developed a trilogy of dive watches—the Avyssos, Mihanikos, and Dytis. Each collection explores a different era of Greek diving history, ranging from the ancient divers who discovered the Antikythera mechanism to the industrialization of sponge diving in the 19th century.
Hatzidimitriou’s approach to brand identity is reflected in the name “Ianos,” the Greek version of Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, endings, and transitions. This name symbolizes his goal of bridging the past with modern design. Based on his professional contributions, Hatzidimitriou has gained recognition within the enthusiast community for creating tool watches that integrate specific cultural symbols—such as the “Evil Eye” and indices inspired by traditional dive stones—into Swiss-made mechanical timepieces.
Throughout the development of Ianos, Hatzidimitriou has remained focused on the viability of the brand as an independent microbrand. He oversees the intricate custom-design process for every component, ensuring that the brand maintains its commitment to authentic storytelling and high-quality construction. Today, he continues to lead Ianos from a design-first perspective, aiming to expand the brand’s narrative reach beyond the dive watch genre.