Local microbrand Tsao Baltimore held an open house two nights ago, to show off their new site. And, it's a very nice location -- the front area is showroom and hang-out area, the back is the workshop. It may not have been quite as prestigious as the Heuer Collectors' Summit, but there was quite the turnout and it was my first event at any watch maker.
Alan Tsao, the owner, was wearing a prototype of the Francis Scott Key LE, in which the dial is made of steel from the bridge that collapsed last year when it was struck by a container ship. Profits from the watch will go to the families of the men killed during the collapse. Yeah, I know I wasn't actually wearing it when I took this pic, but hopefully y'all will forgive me.
And, while there, we discovered their head watchmaker, Eugene Stohlman, has his own brand of watches, which were also on display. This one with the black mother of pearl dial followed me home:
Both watches are made, as much as possible, in Maryland, including the movements.