Newmark Watch Co.
Newmark's history begins with brothers Louis and Michael Newmark, who originally ran a business called Newmark Brothers in Llanelly, Wales, dealing in pawnbroking, jewellery, and glass. This business ended in 1872. Louis Newmark restarted a new venture in 1875, focusing on manufacturing jewellery and importing watches, primarily from Germany.
The Newmark family became known for marketing German-made pocket watches nicknamed 'Torpedo,' which had a unique, streamlined design. However, in 1914, they switched to Swiss watches and formed a significant partnership with Jean Degoumois, who became well-known for creating the 'Avia' brand. Over the years, Newmark built a solid reputation for making durable military watches.
Louis Braham, who married Louis Newmark's daughter Phyllis, started his own watch-making business using cheaper movements branded as 'Elbee.' In 1937, his company went into liquidation and was quickly taken over by Louis Newmark Ltd, although it continued to operate under the name Louis Braham Ltd. The company was based in Clerkenwell during the 1940s, and in 1958, it became the sole distributor of Newmark-branded watches.
By 1951, Newmark had gained exclusive rights to the Swiss 'Avia' watches manufactured by Degoumois SA from Switzerland. Under the guidance of brothers Herbert and Geoffrey, it became the largest importer of Swiss watches in the United Kingdom. After the war, Colonel Derek Rothschild joined the company, promoting watch manufacturing and helping Newmark to expand its product lines.
In 1961, Newmark ceased producing watches in Britain but maintained a small operation to provide spare parts and service while relocating its import business to Reigate. They began importing watches from various brands, including basic models and their flagship 'Avia' brand. In the late 1960s and 1980s, they also became agents for several well-known brands, including Breitling.
Newmark’s 6BB chronograph gained fame as one of the four primary British military watches used by Royal Air Force pilots in the 1980s. However, like many traditional watchmakers, Newmark struggled during the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s and 1980s when affordable quartz watches became widely available.
In 1989, Louis Newmark Aviation Ltd was acquired by Smiths, while the remaining watch and industrial businesses went into receivership in the 1990s. The Avia Watch International brand eventually became part of a French company and later came under the ownership of Fossil Inc. in the USA. Geoffrey Louis Newmark passed away in 2003.
In 2016, Sureerat Wilson registered the "Newmark" trademark.
In 2018, they launched the Newmark 6BB Pilots Chronograph on a very successful Kickstarter campaign.
In 2020, the Newmark Watch Company Ltd was established, with director Wade Rames Newmark. Today, the company offers a selection of watches inspired by its vast archive.