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
MajorsApr 29, 2026
The Thought Process Behind the Mother's Day Email Opt-OutSome retailers are taking a nuanced approach to marketing what can be a difficult holiday for many.
IndependentsApr 29, 2026
Dick Abbott to Retire From The EdgeThe Edge has announced its new CEO, as well as a new partnership with an investment firm focused on founder-led software businesses.
SourcingApr 29, 2026
De Beers’ Production Rises, Market Remains ‘Challenged’De Beers’ diamond production was up 17 percent in Q1, boosted by increased output at its mines in South Africa and Canada.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsApr 29, 2026
This'll Be the Day You Own John Wayne's RingA signet ring belonging to the Western film star of Hollywood’s Golden Age will be up for auction at Elmwood’s next month.
Weekly QuizApr 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesApr 28, 2026
Tariff Refunds: How to File, What to Expect Importers can submit claims now to receive money back for the IEEPA tariffs they’ve paid, with refunds expected to take up to 90 days.
IndependentsApr 28, 2026
This North Carolina Jeweler Is Passing the TorchThe owners of Gregory Jewelers in Morganton, North Carolina, are heading into retirement.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
Doug Hucker Retires From ICAThe colored gemstone industry leader is heading into retirement after four years as the association’s CEO.
SourcingApr 28, 2026
NDC Hires Tapestry Exec to Head Global Marketing Susie Dewey joins the Natural Diamond Council as its new chief marketing officer.
AuctionsApr 27, 2026
12 Years Later, the ‘Ocean Dream’ Diamond Resurfaces at Christie’sThe largest known fancy vivid blue-green diamond could fetch more than $12 million at its second auction appearance.
ColumnistsApr 27, 2026
Stop Treating Mother’s Day Like an AfterthoughtEmmanuel Raheb says jewelers need to start marketing early and make it easy for customers to pick a gift for mom.
IndependentsApr 27, 2026
Longnecker Jewelry Celebrates 30 YearsIn honor of the milestone, the Nebraska jeweler has debuted Leslie & Co., its new in-house jewelry brand.
MajorsApr 27, 2026
JBT Re-Elects Jeff Corey as Board ChairThe trade organization, which held its annual elections earlier this year, also added five new board members.
SurveysApr 24, 2026
Mother’s Day 2026 Jewelry Spending to Top $7B, NRF SaysNRF’s annual survey found that 45 percent of consumers plan to purchase jewelry for a loved one this Mother’s Day.
TechnologyApr 24, 2026
TwentyFour’s Digital-Age Locket Is a Virtual VaultThe “Vault” charm, our Piece of the Week, expands on the memories that can be stored in a locket by connecting to your phone.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
