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
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
IndependentsAug 11, 2025
Lisa Bridge to Depart Ben Bridge JewelerThe retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2025
Bethenny Frankel to Give Keynote at CBG’s Experience ShowThe Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
EditorsAug 11, 2025
The Colors Expected to Be On-Trend in a Couple YearsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersThe organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
