Three Generations of Watchmaking
Independent watchmaking since 2005. A family tradition dating back to the 1920s.
Some watches are designed to follow trends. Others are created to stand apart.
At Chotovelli & Figli, we've always believed a watch should have its own character. Something you recognize at a glance, appreciate for its details, and enjoy wearing for years.
Based in Antwerp, Belgium, we're a third-generation watchmaking family creating distinctive pilot watches inspired by vintage aviation instruments, Italian engineering, and classic motorsport design.
Our watches are not about following fashion. They're about bringing together history, function, and individuality.
Where It All Began – The 1920s
Our story begins in the late 1920s with Simone Chotovelli, a skilled watchmaker whose work focused on repairing, restoring, and fine-tuning mechanical watches.
At a time when watches were made to be repaired rather than replaced, Simone developed his reputation through patience, precision, and attention to the smallest details.
He believed that good watchmaking wasn't simply about keeping accurate time. It was about understanding how every component worked together.
Those principles became the foundation of our family's approach to watches.
The Second Generation – 1967
In 1967, Simone passed his knowledge and experience to his son, Yitzchak Chotovelli.
Yitzchak continued the family tradition, combining established watchmaking techniques with a growing interest in design, engineering, and the evolving world of wristwatches.
The tools, materials, and technologies changed over the years, but the values remained the same: precision, reliability, and pride in the work.
For our family, watchmaking was never simply a business. It was a skill passed from one generation to the next.
A New Chapter – 2005
In 2005, third-generation watchmakers Ilan and Tami Chotovelli decided to take the family heritage in a new direction.
Rather than create another conventional watch brand, we wanted to design watches that reflected our own taste and interests.
We were particularly drawn to the bold, highly legible instruments found in vintage aircraft cockpits and classic Italian sports cars.
Oversized cases, distinctive dials, prominent crowns, and functional details became central to our design language.
Our first collection arrived in 2006 and sold out within a few months. It was an encouraging beginning and confirmed something we had believed from the start: there was room for an independent watch brand willing to do things differently.
Inspired by Instruments. Designed for the Wrist.
Look closely at a Chotovelli watch, and you'll often recognize design elements borrowed from another world.
The large numerals of a cockpit instrument. The clean layout of an aircraft gauge. The bold proportions of a vintage speedometer.
These influences have shaped our collections for more than two decades.
We have always been especially interested in pilot watches, not simply because of their history, but because of their practical design: clear dials, strong cases, easily operated crowns, and excellent readability.
Our approach is to take these familiar elements and give them a distinctive Chotovelli character.
Independent by Choice
Being an independent watch brand gives us the freedom to experiment.
We don't believe every watch needs to appeal to everyone. Some collectors prefer compact, understated timepieces. Others appreciate a bold 47 mm or 50 mm pilot watch that makes a statement.
We design for people who know what they like.
Rather than producing enormous quantities of identical watches, we focus on smaller production runs, regularly exploring new dials, materials, finishes, and case designs.
This approach allows us to create collections with individuality while keeping our watches accessible.
Watchmaking in Belgium
Antwerp remains at the heart of Chotovelli & Figli.
Over the years, we've developed production, assembly, and quality-control capabilities in Belgium, including selected Belgian-made limited editions.
Working closely with our watchmakers and manufacturing partners allows us to pay attention to details that matter: case finishing, dial alignment, movement performance, crystal fitting, and the overall feel of the finished watch.
Depending on the collection, we use selected Japanese quartz, mecha-quartz, and automatic movements, paired with materials chosen to suit each design.
We believe the real value of a watch isn't determined by a complicated movement or an expensive label alone. It's the way all its components come together.
More Than 20 Years Later
Today, Chotovelli watches have found their way onto the wrists of collectors and enthusiasts across the world.
Some customers have been wearing our watches for more than a decade. Others are discovering the brand for the first time.
What matters most to us is that people continue to enjoy them.
We remain a family-led independent brand, guided by the same principles that began with Simone nearly a century ago: attention to detail, reliable craftsmanship, and a personal commitment to our customers.
Three generations. One family. A different approach to watchmaking.
And our story is still being written.