MICROBRAND
Astor+Banks
Chicago made restraint, with tool watch substance.
Image: source
Astor+Banks is a small Chicago brand with a clear lane: practical everyday sports watches, produced sparingly and finished with more care than the price might suggest. It does not flood the market with constant launches. Instead, it has built a reputation on a few sturdy, well-resolved models, led today by the Fortitude line.
Origin
Astor+Banks was founded in Chicago by Andrew Perez. The brand’s earlier models leaned more overtly toward pilot and tool watch cues, with an emphasis on legibility, solid construction, and straightforward utility. Over time, that aesthetic has become cleaner and more versatile.
What Makes It Notable
Astor+Banks stands out because it avoids one of the more common microbrand habits: endless variation for its own sake. Its releases tend to be infrequent, and the attention seems to go into execution rather than volume.
Where To Find Them
Astor+Banks sells through its official website, which is also the best place to verify live specifications, color options, stock status, and pricing:
If you are interested in the brand, it is worth checking the site directly. Astor+Banks does not release constantly, and availability can change from one run to the next.
Source referenced in this article: aBlogtoWatch, “Watch Review: Astor + Banks Fortitude Pro” by Mike Razak, read here. Image credit: official manufacturer photography from Astor+Banks, astorandbanks.com.
And at Spot.Watch — that’s always worth noticing.