INTERVIEW & PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN
Travel tends to sharpen taste. It introduces new ideas, uncovers unforeseen obsessions, and offers the occasional epiphany – nudging your sense of beauty and your grasp of craftsmanship in new directions. For Ryan LeClair, founder of Makoto Watch Company out of London, Ontario, it was travel – and specifically a trip to Japan – that transformed his infatuation with watch collecting into his initiation of a brand built on craft, restraint, and everyday practicality.
Launched in 2024, Makoto has quickly carved out space in Canada’s growing microbrand watch scene, producing limited-run automatic watches that blend Japanese design sensibility with accessible luxury. In February we caught up with Ryan at the luxurious Hard Rock Hotel in London to talk collecting, craftsmanship, and why a watch still matters in an age when every screen already tells the time.
WHAT DROVE YOU TO FOUNDING YOUR OWN WATCH COMPANY?
I’ve been into watches since I got my first one – a digital Timex Ironman – when I was around ten. When I had the means, I started collecting. Over the years, I’ve owned around three hundred watches, from entry-level pieces to solid-gold timepieces. Collecting across that range taught me that, after a certain price point, I was often paying more without getting a watch that was better. I realized the sweet spot for quality sits between one and two thousand dollars. At that level, you get about ninety percent of what makes a watch great – strong finishing, reliable movements, quality materials – without paying for branding or marketing hype. So I created a watch company that checks those boxes at a price that doesn’t aim to break the bank.
MAKOTO IS A JAPANESE TERM. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE IT?
Makoto roughly translates to genuine honesty, authenticity, and integrity. I first felt its relevance while traveling through Japan where the respect for craft, attention to detail, and refined simplicity left a lasting impression. The term felt like a natural fit – capturing the values I want every Makoto watch to embody.
MANY OF YOUR MODELS ARE NAMED AFTER JAPANESE LANDMARKS – INCLUDING THE FAMOUS SHIBUYA CROSSING. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THOSE?
Place and atmosphere guide much of our design. The Shibuya model, for instance – named the ‘Shibuya Scramble’ after the legendary busy intersection in Tokyo – takes cues from the crossing’s street markings, recreated on the dial as individually raised and applied markers. Meanwhile, our dive watches – including the ‘Hamana’ and ‘Hakusan’ – draw from Japanese landscapes. The ‘Hamana’ is inspired by Lake Hamana, with its blue dial signaling shifting light on water, while ‘Hakusan’, with its fully-lumed white dial, references the snow-covered mountains of its namesake.
WHAT DOES YOUR DESIGN PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
I usually start with dial balance. Symmetry is extremely important to me. You’ll notice we often place the date window at six o’clock – or remove it entirely – in order to keep the watch visually grounded. Beyond that, I like to experiment with textures and materials – including the implementation of stone dials made from mother of pearl, lapis lazuli, meteorite, and other exotic materials. Honestly, I can spend many hours tweaking a single detail. That’s the part I enjoy most.
MAKOTO SPANS SPORT, DRESS, AND GADA (‘GO ANYWHERE, DO ANYTHING’) WATCHES. HOW INTENTIONAL WAS YOUR INTRODUCTION OF SUCH A BROAD RANGE?
Yes, versatility has always been the goal. We want the collection to cover most occasions – from sport to dress to everyday GADA pieces – and we’re continually expanding what we offer. For example, at the Vancouver Timepiece Show in late April we’ll be introducing a new rugged adventure-series model. Some past releases have been quiet drops, while others launched on Kickstarter to build early community support. We’re also working on developing special editions and collaborations. And regardless of how a watch is released, production remains deliberately small – usually around 30 pieces per style – so we can focus on finishing, quality control, and ensuring each piece feels distinct.
MAKOTO IS VERY TRANSPARENT ABOUT ITS MANUFACTURING. WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?
Because there’s no reason not to be. We’re proudly Canadian, while our watches are produced just outside Hong Kong by manufacturers that have been making watches for decades – including for brands most people would recognize. Small batches allow us to focus heavily on finishing and quality control, and it means customers are getting something genuinely limited.
YOU PACK CONSIDERABLE QUALITY INTO ACCESSIBLE WATCHES. WHICH DETAILS USUALLY BELONG TO FAR MORE EXPENSIVE PIECES?
Across our dive models, we focus on materials that stand up to everyday life: ceramic bezels and sapphire crystals for durability, plus dependable water resistance that encourages wear beyond the desk. The ‘Shibuya Scramble’ uses a titanium case for strength and lightness, while its dial incorporates individually applied markings. Our dress watches follow the same material-led thinking, featuring genuine stone dials – like mother of pearl, lapis lazuli, meteorite. Every Makoto model is automatic, powered primarily by Miyota 9-series movements like the 9015 and 9039. We chose Miyota for reliability, ease of service, and suitability for watches meant to be worn and enjoyed every day.
YOU OFTEN DESCRIBE MAKOTO WATCHES AS MEANT FOR DAILY WEAR. WHAT MAKES A WATCH MEANINGFUL TODAY?
It’s the fact that you live with it. A phone tells time better than any watch ever will. But a watch travels with you. It picks up marks from work, trips, and daily life. Over time, it becomes personal. That’s what turns it into something you keep long term – and why we care so much about creating something that will last for decades.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR MAKOTO?
We’ve released five core models so far, with five more planned for 2026, including collaborations. Growth is important but staying intentional matters more. Every watch we release has to feel worth keeping – and it has to be attainable enough for you to begin enjoying it.
MAKOTO WATCH COMPANY London ON makotowatch.com
