‘A relentless pursuit of perfection’ earns Niall national nod

Kansas City watching-making startup Niall recently topped a list of leading American-made watches.

A publication that features social impact brands,The Good Trade dished a cornucopia of commendations to Niall, a two-year-old startup that’s surged in popularity and snagged headlines around the nation. The online media group made note of CEO Michael Wilson’s tireless pursuit of excellence with Niall timepieces, which start at $3,750.

Here’s what The Good Trade had to say about Niall’s watches:

Niall is a Kansas City-based brand that brings quality and swagger together through their iconic luxury designs. Their brand communicates a relentless pursuit of perfection along with some good, old-fashioned patriotism. CEO Michael Wilson credits Niall’s success in on-shoring manufacturing to a transparent approach to collaboration. Niall’s watches use American-made cases, dials, hands, crowns, glass, gaskets, screws, straps and buckles. They’ll be as close as you’ll get to wearing a little bit of America on your wrist.

Kansas Citians may best know Niall for its timely gift to Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost. After Major League Baseball banned the use of Yost’s Apple Watch in the dugout, Niall gave him a royal blue dial “Niall One.3” timepiece.

Many celebrities have sported a Niall watch, including baseball hall-of-famer George Brett, University of Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, actors Paul Rudd and Rob Riggle and several others.

Wilson said that Good Trade’s piece helps further validate the company’s mission.

“The entire Niall team has worked very hard to create Swiss-quality watches right here in America,” Wilson said. “This ranking is a testament that our hard work is paying off.”

Wilson said he attributes part of his company’s success to its head watchmaker,  Dominik Maerki. Wilson said the Swiss-born employee’s attention to detail has helped Niall score success.

“He’s Swiss. He’s Swiss-trained. He’s a world-ranking curling champion,” Wilson said of Maerki. “Niall is lucky to have both his expertise and energy in the ethos of every watch we build.”

Wilson previously said that he anticipates selling about 900 watches around the world in 2016, netting revenue upwards of $4.7 million. That growth has allowed the firm to set out on ambitious expansion plans.

In March the company announced a host of new luxury product offerings and a new store to feature them. The product expansion includes a $120, Bluetooth-enabled pen, leather goods, apparel and a new, yet-to-be-named retail location. The retail store will feature Niall products as well as showcase the live manufacturing of its watches.