Astor + Banks

Astor + Banks is a highly respected, design-forward American independent microbrand founded in 2012 by watch enthusiast Andrew Perez in Chicago, Illinois. As one of the pioneering modern forces in the Midwestern microbrand scene, Astor + Banks focuses on practical military utility, clean mid-century athletic symmetry, and functional lifestyle durability—assembling and meticulously regulating every timepiece in-house directly within their Chicago studios.

Astor + Banks’ visual signature is characterised by strong geometric lines, functional matte case texturing, and incredibly intricate multi-layered dials that bring unexpected depth to classic tool watch layouts. The brand heavily avoids excessive ornamental polished surfaces, favouring rugged sandblasted finishes, protective diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings, and tough scratch-resistant hardness treatments built to hide daily wear. Their design language relies heavily on contrast and legibility—often deploying sophisticated sandwich-style dials with three-dimensional cutouts, full-lume backing plates, and vibrant, colour-blocked accents (such as their signature orange details) that echo a clean, industrial aesthetic.