TrendsJun 15, 2023
Amanda’s Style File: Dapper DadsWatchesJun 16, 2023
See LaCalifornienne’s Top Father’s Day Watch Picks
Company co-founders Courtney Ormond and Leszek Garwacki say these more subtle watches are perfect for dads.
LaCalifornienne rose to popularity with its rainbow-colored watch straps, but the brand has several more neutral options they say make the perfect Father’s Day gift.
Los Angeles—LaCalifornienne is best known for its timepieces featuring Technicolor bands, but for dads, the brand recommends a demurer color palette.
Courtney Ormond and Leszek Garwacki founded the Los Angeles-based brand in 2016, originally revamping secondhand watches with brightly colored straps.
The duo’s playful attitude toward serious timepieces resonated with consumers and press alike, leading the venture to bloom into a proper watch manufacturer over the years.
Now, laCalifornienne manufacturers its own quartz timepieces in Switzerland, while continuing to produce its signature colorful straps in its small U.S. workshop.
It’s a marriage of two worlds that founders Ormond and Garwacki think suits their brand ethos perfectly, combining Swiss watchmaking expertise with laCalifornienne’s sunny point of view.
“We take design cues from our environment and the local landscape,” they told National Jeweler.
“The first watch we designed was inspired by Malibu in the 1970s.”
Related stories will be right here …
Courtney Ormond and Leszek Garwacki founded the Los Angeles-based brand in 2016, originally revamping secondhand watches with brightly colored straps.
The duo’s playful attitude toward serious timepieces resonated with consumers and press alike, leading the venture to bloom into a proper watch manufacturer over the years.
Now, laCalifornienne manufacturers its own quartz timepieces in Switzerland, while continuing to produce its signature colorful straps in its small U.S. workshop.
It’s a marriage of two worlds that founders Ormond and Garwacki think suits their brand ethos perfectly, combining Swiss watchmaking expertise with laCalifornienne’s sunny point of view.
“We take design cues from our environment and the local landscape,” they told National Jeweler.
“The first watch we designed was inspired by Malibu in the 1970s.”
Ormond and Garwacki are quick to note that laCalifornienne is an equal opportunist when it comes to color, embracing not just the brightest combinations but also more neutral tones that fit in with today’s gender-neutral trend.
For Father’s Day and beyond, the founders suggest easing dads into the fun watch strap game with some of these wearable options.
See their three summertime picks below.
“The emoji says it all,” said Ormond and Garwacki of the “Daybreak DB-13A Mariner” timepiece in shade “Navy Blanc Mango” with its small peace sign emoji on the dial.
Green watches have gained popularity in recent years.
“Green is such a versatile color; it’s the new blue,” they said of the “Daybreak DB-03 Fern” timepiece.
“The ‘Daybreak DB-06 Half & Half’ is for the dad who wants something a little more subtle,” they said, of the less-than-overt strap color combination.
“We love the half black and half natural strap as an alternative to popular striped straps.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Watches
The Latest
SurveysApr 03, 2025
2025 Retail Sales to Grow More Slowly Amid ‘Uncertainty,’ Says NRFThe National Retail Federation expects retail sales growth to return to pre-pandemic levels as consumers continue to face inflation.
TrendsApr 03, 2025
Tallulah Willis Imbues Antique Engagement Ring With MagicThe 4-carat, old mine brilliant-cut diamond engagement ring was co-designed by Willis and New York City-based brand Karina Noel.
SourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
CollectionsApr 03, 2025
Buccellati to Open Immersive Exhibition in MilanThe multisensory experience, open April 8-13, will feature the brand’s silver creations among dream-like scenes of natural landscapes.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesApr 03, 2025
Jewelers of America to Hold Webinar on TariffsThe virtual event will take place April 7 at 3 p.m.
CollectionsApr 02, 2025
Bea Bongiasca’s ‘Tarallo’ Collection Expansion Is a ZooThe pieces in “Animali Tarallo” portray animals from stingrays to elephants through portraits and interpretations of their patterns.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
MajorsApr 02, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Will Remain Open, For NowParent company Saks Global said the iconic location will be open through the holiday season as it decides what to do with the space.
SourcingApr 02, 2025
Winston’s Collection of Natural Color Diamonds Now on Display in D.C. Ronald Winston, son of Harry Winston, donated the diamonds to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Events & AwardsApr 02, 2025
Punchmark to Host Client WorkshopThe educational event will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, this May.
IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ OutlookThe Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
