Finding Purpose Through Time: How David Carrington Built COMPΛSS Timepieces
Luxury watches have long been a symbol of craftsmanship, exclusivity, and prestige. But breaking into this highly competitive industry takes more than just a passion for timepieces.
It requires vision, determination, and the ability to challenge industry norms. We sat down with David Carrington, founder of COMPΛSS, to discuss his journey, the inspiration behind the brand, and what he envisions for the future.
What inspired you to create COMPΛSS?
I was inspired to create COMPΛSS from my love of luxury watches and the ambition to develop a legacy-minded, story-driven brand of my own. The actual push came after I was laid off from my job in June 2022. I had already started to work on COMPΛSS, but it was not the initial name. The original name was going to be Carrington Watches, my namesake.
However, during the trademark process, I learned that the name was already taken. COMPΛSS came after my wife glanced at a leather notebook I had with a compass on the front, and it was an “aha moment.” It was the perfect name and fitting for the mission of encouraging others to “find purpose,” while being a brand that was part of a person’s life journey through challenges and milestones. We officially launched on September 27, 2023.
I think back to my youth, and I always had a goal to have a prestigious brand that was respected due to exclusivity and quality designs. Being laid off truly propelled me to put my full focus on getting COMPΛSS off the ground. I want to challenge the “norm” of what you see in the ownership of a luxury timepiece brand. I want to inspire people and show it is possible to start your business, build it, and carve out your lane in the marketplace.
What’s one thing that surprised you most about the watch industry?
One thing that surprised me most about the watch industry is how close-knit the community is and how serious both casual wearers and enthusiasts are about their watches. I have met some great people who are excited about what COMPΛSS brings to the table and have been able to watch us grow. So far, everyone has been super supportive of what we’re building, and we’ve gotten lots of positive feedback and encouragement from avid collectors.
I was also pretty surprised that there are so few Black-owned companies in the luxury space, and less than a handful that are fully Swiss made like we are. I went to several watch events as a guest to see if they would be a fit for COMPΛSS to participate in, and I couldn’t find another one owned by a person of color!
Watch communities and collectives like Complecto, WristCheck Podcast (Superniche) and CPTime celebrate diversity in the watch industry, connecting people from all backgrounds at their meetups to bond together and share their love for watches.
What criteria were most important to you when selecting your Swiss manufacturing partners?
Our timepieces are proudly made in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, which has been known for watchmaking since the early 18th century. I communicated with several Swiss watchmakers, and it was really about finding a partner who would listen to the brand vision and understand the direction and message we wanted to convey with our timepieces.
I believe it’s important foremost for any partner I work with to understand the mission and goals we have when we put together a new design.
Apart from that, craftsmanship, quality, design, and precision in timekeeping are at the top of the list. Breaking into the luxury segment, especially as a Black-owned brand, I’m aware no corners can be cut.
As both a founder and a family man, how do you balance the demands of your business with your responsibilities as a husband and father?
It’s tough to do it efficiently at times with COMPΛSS being in its infant stages plus having three elementary-aged children (6, 7, and 9 years old). It’s like having four needy kids! But I know it’s all a process.
I focus on what I can do when I have the time to work on things for my business. I try to catch up on rest and spend time with my family during the weekends. We started observing Sabbath as a family and really try to prioritize rest and spending time together during that time.
It’s a good balance with the help of my wife. She helps me a ton with all aspects of life, freeing me up to do what I need to do for COMPΛSS when I need to do it.
What has been your proudest milestone or achievement with COMPΛSS so far?
For me, it’s a tie between launching the business and getting my first designs done, which was a year-plus in the making, and getting our first sale! In the beginning, I heard a lot of criticism mostly from people I speak to regularly about my brand and image perception approach and how the price points wouldn’t work because people can just go buy the known brands instead.
So after launching and building over the past two years, and receiving such great support from “strangers” and the watch community that I’ve connected with through my journey, it’s a great feeling knowing that I didn’t take that feedback and let it hinder my vision.
My first sale happened on Father’s Day of 2024 to an active NBA Official who I had met months prior at an event in Napa Valley. After meeting him and his wife and sharing about COMPΛSS, his wife later shared that a timepiece from us would be the perfect gift for him since it can be hard to shop for people who could buy what they want for themselves. Their belief and investment in COMPΛSS solidified everything I had been working towards up until that time.
Knowing that someone found value in what COMPΛSS has to offer and wanted to invest in our vision makes it a moment I’ll never forget. In addition, being able to build a friendship with their family has been even better.
If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice when starting COMPΛSS, what would it be?
I would go back and tell myself to block out the noise, have patience in the process, and see your vision through no matter what people say. I think friends and family mean well, but a lot of the time, they project their fears and insecurities without knowing it. Listen and consider everything, but ultimately do what’s best for you and your business!
Where do you see your company in 5 years?
I see COMPΛSS as a bigger brand, established and growing in markets outside of the U.S. We will be a reputable brand and a rising star in the industry. I see us impacting our community by providing opportunities and teaching others along the way. I want to provide more horology materials to schools and libraries for kids and adults who want to learn more.
Recently, I went to the library and could barely find five decent books to read on horology. Leaving a legacy is about more than just selling a timepiece for me; it is about making a lasting impact on the industry and community. COMPΛSS is about finding and fulfilling your purpose, and I plan to do just that on this journey as well.
Visit the COMPΛSS website and follow them on Instagram
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