Rick Bell is an American entrepreneur, designer, and co-founder of the Cincinnati Watch Company, an independent watch brand based in Cincinnati, Ohio. His path into the horological industry began as a personal hobby and passion for timepieces, which he eventually transitioned into a professional venture.

In 2016, Bell co-founded Build Your Own Watch alongside Mark Stegman. The business initially focused on providing “build your own watch” kits, which allowed enthusiasts and hobbyists to experience the process of assembling and casing their own timepieces at home. Bell also produced instructional videos to guide customers through the assembly process, many of which remain resources for the watchmaking community today.

In 2018, the venture evolved into the Cincinnati Watch Company. Bell’s vision for the brand was to move beyond DIY kits toward creating original, high-quality timepieces that celebrate the local heritage and architectural history of Cincinnati. One of his first major design successes was the Union Terminal Watch, inspired by the historic Art Deco clock on Cincinnati’s Union Terminal. This project established a cornerstone of Bell’s business model: partnering with local non-profit institutions. For every watch sold, a portion of the proceeds is donated to organizations such as the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Freestore Foodbank, and the Tri-State Warbird Museum.

As the brand’s creative lead, Bell oversees the design process, which often involves years of development for a single model. His designs are rooted in historical American aesthetics, drawing inspiration from local landmarks and vintage horological influences like the Gruen Watch Company. Bell emphasizes a philosophy where design and engineering work together to create watches that are unique, practical, and serviceable.

Under Bell’s leadership, the company achieved a significant milestone in 2020 by bringing watch assembly back to Cincinnati. This was made possible through a partnership with Jordan Ficklin, an AWCI-certified watchmaker who joined as a co-owner and in-house watchmaker. This move allowed the Cincinnati Watch Company to become the first brand since 1958 to perform assembly and regulation within the city.

Today, Rick Bell continues to lead the Cincinnati Watch Company as a co-owner and designer. His work is defined by a commitment to community support, the revival of American watchmaking traditions, and the creation of timepieces that serve as functional tributes to Cincinnati’s cultural and industrial history.