There are over a dozen Polish watch brands today, most of them established in the last decade. The problem is that when you search for "Polish watch brands," you'll either get shop lists without context or rankings like a "prestige pyramid," which confuse more than they explain.
Below is a market overview with specifics: who's been operating since when, what mechanisms they use, their prices, and what the real differences are. We're one of those brands, so at the end, we're also writing about ourselves—and being straightforward about where we stand in this puzzle.
First, one thing you need to understand
No Polish brand produces its own movements. None. They all source their calibers from Switzerland, Japan, or China—most often Seiko, Miyota, Sellita, ETA, or Seagull.
This isn't a complaint, but a fact that applies to the entire industry, beyond a dozen or so manufacturers worldwide. Even well-known Swiss brands in the lower price ranges use purchased movements.
The difference between Polish brands lies elsewhere: in the design, in how much work is done in Poland, in the quality of the finish, and in how honestly the company talks about it. These are the criteria worth focusing on when choosing.
The longest-running brands
Polpora — since 2006
The oldest Polish watch brand. Twenty years on the market, over 1,500 units delivered across six collections. Swiss movements.
A distinctive feature: the dials. Polpora collaborates with Ewa Buksa, a master enamel artist who has won awards in Poland, England, the United States, and Japan. The silver, guilloché dials are coated with layers of vitreous enamel fired at around 900 degrees Celsius. This technique, used in the most expensive Swiss watches, carries considerable risk—burning can easily lead to loss.
Prices: from PLN 6,890 for the Zawisza Czarny model to PLN 18,790 for the Enamel collection. Available in showrooms in Częstochowa, Katowice, Warsaw, Wrocław, and Zielona Góra.
Balticus - since approximately 2014
A Baltic brand with the broadest and most diverse offering on the market: everyday watches, diving watches, women's watches, quartz watches, and mechanical watches. Almost all in limited editions.
A distinguishing feature: materials. Balticus offers models made of 904L steel—an alloy with a higher nickel, chromium, and molybdenum content than the popular 316L, making it more difficult to work with and more resistant to acids. There are also dials made from meteorite fragments, each with a unique pattern.
Prices: from PLN 1,350 to PLN 59,999 for the model set with gemstones. The widest price range of all Polish brands.
Błonie - a brand with a history of the Polish People's Republic
The only company on this list that maintains its name from the time when watches were actually assembled in Poland—formerly under Soviet license. Contemporary models echo the style of the 1960s: simple dials and stylized Arabic numerals.
A distinguishing feature: transparency in the description of the movements. Błonie offers quartz, auto-quartz, mechanical, and automatic calibers, as well as Japanese and Swiss models, and each version includes a specific caliber. This is rare in this segment.
The brand is also able to go beyond the classics - for example, the T-2077 model was created in cooperation with the creators of the game Cyberpunk 2077.
Prices: from PLN 590 to approximately PLN 11,000 for craft models with engraved or porcelain dials.
G. Gerlach — Polish history on the shield
The brand has consistently built its presence around references to Polish industry and the military. It has a separate "Patriotic Watches" category featuring models featuring Marshal Piłsudski and General Maczek.
Distinctive feature: design audacity. For the centenary of Poland's regained independence, Gerlach released the Marszałek Piłsudski model with a tourbillon complication—the first such watch from a Polish brand. The movement was sourced from the Chinese Seagull, a fact the company openly disclosed. A tourbillon is a design in which the balance wheel is enclosed in a rotating cage to counteract the effects of gravity on accuracy.
Prices: from PLN 1,150 for a quartz model inspired by Wojtek the Teddy Bear to PLN 8,500 for a limited tourbillon.
Vratislavia Conceptum - sale in rounds
The Wrocław-based brand operates on a project-based model: it creates a model, sells a predetermined number of units, closes the sale, and moves on to the next one. Those who don't make it in time have to wait for the next round.
The offerings are diverse in shape—round, barrel, and rectangular cases, quartz and mechanical movements. Available online and in two boutiques in Warsaw.
Prices: from 1080 to 2490 PLN.
Xicorr - PRL motoring on your wrist
A Warsaw-based brand whose name comes from the colloquial word "sikory." The most popular models are inspired by the Syrena and Polonez, but the lineup also includes the Spark, an aviation watch with an engraved caseback, and the Garfish, a diving watch.
A distinguishing feature: honest communication. Xicorr explicitly states that it uses movements from Chinese factories and describes all technical parameters in detail. It's worth noting that the cases are larger than average—they might be too bulky for smaller wrists.
Prices: from 2199 to 6399 PLN.
Young brands from recent years
Nadir - from 2023
Watches for "adventurers": durable, waterproof, automatic, and with unusual shapes. Two models: a three-handed model with a rotating inner bezel, and a GMT model powered by a Miyota movement in a travel version, where the main hands instantly adjust to local time. Prices: 2050–2750 PLN.
Crudo Carattere - circa 2024
Colorful dials, hand-stitched straps, Seiko automatic movements, and glow-in-the-dark material. The company clearly states that the silicone cases and straps are sourced from Asia, while the leather straps are made in Poland. A single case shape in multiple color variants. Prices: 1300–3600 PLN.
Arach — debut 2026
This model features a multi-level dial, a flat, solid bezel, and a rubber strap integrated with the case. Available in four color variants. Prices: PLN 1,750–2,499.
Ovsky — from 2022
A single design since its inception, firmly rooted in fashion aesthetics. Steel, Seiko quartz movement, sapphire crystal. Price: PLN 1,099 for the Dark Stargazer 41 model.
Rataj Watches - Kickstarter fundraiser
The project, financed on a crowdfunding platform, features a Swiss movement—an unusual choice for a debut. Delivery is scheduled for the end of 2026. Price: 5500 PLN.
Varsovio
Brand with the Vistulo model. Prices: PLN 1,099–1,499.
Mudita, Radia, Copernicus and Leon Prokop also operate on the market.
Where is Celesti in all of this?
We should be clear: we're one of the youngest brands on this list, and one of the most affordable. We've been operating since 2025 and assemble our watches in Krakow.
What sets us apart from the rest of this list:
- The widest offer among young brands. 76 models in nine collections, while most newcomers have between one and four designs. This is both a strength and a weakness—broad, but without a single recognizable case shape like Xicorr or Arach.
- Configurator. You assemble your own watch—case, dial, hands, bezel, strap—and see every change in real time. No other Polish brand offers this.
- Seiko movements — automatic and mecha-quartz VK63 chronographs.
- 316L steel, sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating, water resistance 10–30 ATM.
- Women's collection with a 26 mm case and an automatic mechanism - there are very few women's automatic watches in the Polish segment.
- Prices: PLN 1,490–1,699, i.e. in the lower part of the market square, next to Varsovio and Ovsky.
What we don't have: twenty years of history like Polpora, enamel dials, 904L steel, a tourbillon, or our own movement. If you're looking for a watch that tells the story of Polish craftsmanship from decades past, choose Błonie or Gerlach. If you want a unique dial and have a budget of over seven thousand, choose Polpora.
How to choose a Polish brand for yourself
| If you are looking for… | Check | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| artistic watch, the dial as a work of art | Polpora | 7–19 thousand PLN |
| wide selection and limited series | Balticus | 1.4–60 thousand PLN |
| classics with history and a clear description of the caliber | Common | 0.6–11 thousand PLN |
| Polish historical threads | G. Gerlach | 1.2–8.5 thousand PLN |
| unusual shapes in short series | Vratislavia Conceptum | 1–2.5 thousand PLN |
| automotive nostalgia, large envelope | Xicorr | 2.2–6.4 thousand PLN |
| GMT travel watch | Nadir | 2–2.8 thousand PLN |
| color and hand-sewn strap | Crudo Carattere | 1.3–3.6 thousand PLN |
| wide selection at a low budget and configurator | Celesti | 1.5–1.7 thousand PLN |
When a watch is truly Polish
This question comes up in every discussion and there is no single answer.
Formally, a product can be considered manufactured in a given European Union country if it has undergone significant final processing there. One interpretation suggests that it's sufficient to purchase parts from suppliers around the world and assemble them in Poland. The other suggests that assembly isn't enough; the brand should produce at least the envelope itself.
The reality is that no Polish brand currently produces movements, and most also import cases and dials. The differences lie in how many stages take place in Poland and whether the company is open about it.
Our philosophy is simple: assembly, adjustments, and quality control are all performed in Krakow, parts are sourced from external suppliers, and the mechanisms are Japanese. We state this on our website and tell everyone who asks.
Frequently asked questions
Which Polish watch brand is the best?
There's no single answer, as brands excel at different things. Polpora makes the most refined watches and has the longest history. Balticus has the widest selection. Błonie has the best documentation of movements. The choice depends on your budget and whether you prioritize craftsmanship, history, or availability.
Are Polish watches more expensive than Swiss ones?
In many cases, yes—and that's no coincidence. Polish brands produce small batches and move on to new designs, resulting in higher unit costs. The Swiss keep a model in their catalog for years and have a full network of subcontractors in place. For a similar price, a major brand often offers better service availability and a longer warranty.
Do Polish brands produce their own mechanisms?
No, none. They all buy calibers—most often Seiko and Miyota from Japan, Sellita and ETA from Switzerland, Seagull from China. Any brand that claims otherwise is lying.
How much does a reasonable Polish watch start at?
Around 1000–1500 PLN. In this range, you can expect 316L steel, sapphire crystal, and a Japanese movement. Below 800 PLN, you'll typically find mineral crystal or a movement with a power reserve of less than 36 hours.
Where to buy Polish watches?
Directly from manufacturers or in stores specializing in Polish brands. Some brands are also available in brick-and-mortar stores—Polpora in five cities, Vratislavia in two boutiques in Warsaw.
Celesti watches assembled in Krakow
Horizon Dawn
The striking white dial and fluted bezel give this model a uniquely elegant and timeless look. The automatic movement, jubilee bracelet, and...
Original price was: 1 490,00zł.1 349,00PLNCurrent price is: 1 349,00zł.
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Skeleton Helios
The Celesti Skeleton Helios is a watch inspired by the divine energy of the sun – majestic, expressive, and timeless. Its case and bracelet are crafted from...
Original price was: 1 890,00zł.1 699,00PLNCurrent price is: 1 699,00zł.
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Zenith Glow
Elegance meets sporty edge – the black dial with rose-gold subdials and case create a luxurious yet dynamic composition. The rubber...
Original price was: 1 790,00zł.1 599,00PLNCurrent price is: 1 599,00zł.
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Celesti Monarch Stellar
The Monarch Stellar model impresses with its minimalist, bright dial and timeless Roman numeral indexes. Subtle details and a cool, steel color scheme...
1 699,00PLN
See the watchIf you are considering your first automatic watch, read also, how to choose your first automatic watch and how much does a good automatic watch actually cost?. You can find our entire catalog on our website. all models.
Data on prices and offers comes from publicly available information from manufacturers, as of August 2026. Prices and product ranges are subject to change - before purchasing, check the current offer on the brand's website.
