Are Nixon watches good quality and worth it?+
Nixon watches are widely seen as solid value: durable, well-built for the price, and designed around bold California style rather than haute horology. They sit in the accessible bracket, not the luxury tier of an Omega or TAG Heuer, but for an everyday wristwatch they deliver dependable build and distinctive looks. If you want personality and toughness without a luxury outlay, Nixon is a sensible pick.
Should I buy the Nixon 51-30 Chrono or the Time Teller?+
The 51-30 Chrono is the brawny, statement-making sport watch, an oversized analog chronograph that announces itself on the wrist. The Time Teller is Nixon's most versatile everyday piece, cleaner and easier to dress up or down. Choose the 51-30 if you want presence and a chrono complication; choose the Time Teller if you want a do-everything watch, and note that US and Canadian buyers can even build a custom Time Teller to their own spec.
Which Nixon watches are the most popular?+
The standout best-sellers are the Nixon 51-30 Chrono, the Nixon Sentry, and the Nixon Time Teller, all of them analog. These models are regularly refreshed in seasonal capsules with new colours, materials, and collaborations. The 51-30 Chrono and Time Teller in particular are considered collector's items among the brand's fans.
Who founded Nixon and where?+
Nixon was founded in 1997 in Encinitas, California by Andy Laats and Chad DiNenna, both of whom came from the action sports world. Laats was a former Burton snowboard product manager with a Cornell engineering degree, finishing his Stanford MBA when the two met to plan the company. They raised nearly US$1 million from venture capitalists, and the debut catalog launched in 1997 with seven models through 200 retailers.
Where are Nixon watches made and what movements do they use?+
Nixon's wristwatches use movements from Japan and Switzerland, spanning both digital and analog models for men and women. That movement sourcing underpins the brand's reputation for dependable timekeeping at an accessible price. The company is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, with additional offices in France and Australia.
Can I customise a Nixon watch?+
Yes, depending on where you buy. Customers in the United States and Canada can build custom watches, choosing the case, dial, chronograph hand, and band, and US buyers can also add a custom engraved message on the back of select styles. It is one of the brand's signature touches. The exact options vary by retailer and model.
Does Nixon still have its own stores?+
No. As of April 2025, Nixon no longer operates standalone retail stores; it previously ran shops in Berkeley, plus Bondi and Melbourne in Australia and Kuta in Bali. Today the brand sells through retail partners such as Tilly's and Macy's and through its own online store. Its watches still reach customers in over 90 countries worldwide.
What collaborations has Nixon done?+
Nixon frequently builds collaborative watch collections across industries. Partners have included Disney properties like Star Wars, musicians and bands such as Metallica, Grateful Dead, 2Pac, and Nirvana, artists like Hannah Eddy, and action-sports brands like Santa Cruz, Independent, and Spitfire. These tie-ins are a core part of how Nixon keeps its catalog fresh.
Does Nixon make anything besides watches?+
Yes. Alongside men's and women's watches, Nixon offers a line of clothing and accessories including shirts, sweatshirts, bags, hats, wallets, and belts. The brand also once made headphones and portable speakers, but it no longer sells audio products. Watches, though, remain the heart of the catalog.
Have any celebrities worn Nixon?+
Plenty. Actors including Ryan Reynolds, Tom Hardy, and Tom Holland have been photographed in Nixon gear, as have rapper Kendrick Lamar, singer Justin Bieber, and musician Dave Grohl. Nixon watches have also featured on screen, such as Linda Hamilton wearing a Nixon Regulus in Terminator: Dark Fate. That visibility has reinforced the brand's California-cool image.
