Jonathan Ferrer is an American industrial designer and entrepreneur best known as the founder of Brew Watch Co., an independent watch brand based in New York City. Born into a family with deep ties to the jewelry and design industries—including a father who worked for Tiffany & Co. and a grandfather who designed for Cartier—Ferrer was exposed to the technical and aesthetic aspects of luxury craftsmanship from an early age. He pursued formal training at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), where he earned a B.S. in Industrial Design in 2014.
Ferrer’s professional career in horology began with an internship and subsequent roles at the Movado Group. During this period, he gained experience designing licensed brand watches and assisting smaller firms with marketing and business development. His exposure to global manufacturing and supply chains provided the technical foundation necessary to launch his own enterprise.
In 2015, Ferrer established Brew Watch Co., a microbrand inspired by the industrial design of espresso machines and the social ritual of coffee consumption. He utilized Kickstarter to secure initial funding, successfully raising $35,000 for his first collection. His design philosophy emphasizes “the ritual of the moment,” incorporating subtle coffee-themed details into his timepieces, such as markers on the Brew Metric designed to time the optimal espresso shot.
Under Ferrer’s leadership, Brew Watch Co. has evolved from a passion project into a recognized name in the independent watch scene. He maintains a highly hands-on approach, overseeing everything from initial 3D technical drawings and prototyping to marketing and photography. His work has been featured in publications such as GQ, Esquire, and Hodinkee, and the brand has developed a following that includes notable figures like Alton Brown and Idris Elba.
In addition to his work with Brew, Ferrer remains active in the design community as an adjunct professor at NJIT, where he teaches students about design and manufacturing. He continues to live and work in New York, frequently engaging with the watch community through pop-up events and trade shows like the Wind-Up Watch Fair. Ferrer’s career is marked by a commitment to accessible, story-driven design that bridges the gap between traditional horology and contemporary lifestyle.