IANOS Watches: A Founder’s Story Rooted in Greek Heritage featuring Jacob Hatzidimitriou
- Balance & Bridge
- 7 minutes ago
- 9 min read
There’s a fascination I’ve always had with watches that do more than just tell time. I’ve written before about the intersection of utility, design, branding, and storytelling, and why that combination keeps me returning to independent and microbrand timepieces. Watches aren’t just instruments to many of us; they’re objects that reflect identity, culture, and history, and when they hit that sweet spot where form meets narrative, they become something more.
It’s in that space that IANOS Watches caught my attention. For this inaugural piece in what I’m calling the Origins series, I couldn’t think of a better place to start. The brand’s founder, Jacob Hatzidimitriou, has built a company where story is the foundation, and every design choice carries meaning. It’s a philosophy that resonates deeply with the way I approach watch appreciation: a balance between technical credibility, thoughtful design, and narrative depth.
Jacob was kind enough to embark on this prôtos plóos (my attempt at translating first voyage into Greek) with Balance & Bridge, and I am happy to provide his direct thoughts throughout in bold and quoted. I am incredibly humbled and grateful for his participation and look forward to highlighting IANOS. Off we go.
A Philosophy That Puts Story First
Very few watch brands take the risk of prioritizing story above specifications, especially in a market where technical details and innovation often drive conversations. By focusing on narrative, IANOS distinguishes itself from competitors that may favor specifications or trend-following over meaning. This shift aligns with a broader desire for timepieces that offer emotional as well as practical value to their owners. It is no longer just about the screw-down crown or sapphire crystal with a stamped crown,
“From the very beginning, IANOS was built on the strong belief that Greek history and culture deserved to be more represented in the field of watchmaking, so I was and still am very much convinced that for any IANOS watch, meaning should go before specifications. For me, a watch is not just a technical instrument. It is also a cultural object that connects its wearer to a story, to a place, to a heritage and I think this is evident from my watches. Much of the watch industry today has reversed that order: the priority is numbers, complications, and following trends. If there is any story behind the watch it is most likely very loosely tied to it or is a story that has been already told repeatedly. For IANOS, the story always comes first. Every element of the watch, from the dial to the case, from the typography to the materials, has to link back to the narrative we are telling, usually rooted in Greek history and culture. This is not a marketing layer, but the actual foundation of the design.”
Jacob’s approach immediately sets IANOS apart from much of the watch world. Where many brands focus first on specifications, movements, or following trends, he builds from culture, history, and narrative. Every detail — from the typography to the strap channel — is deliberate, tied to the story each watch tells. This is not branding layered on after the fact; it’s the DNA of the design. Not only does it make for interesting visual appeal, but the originality keeps you looking back in a way that specs alone don't. Imagine the watch version of looking back at your car as you walk away after parking it - just to get one more look.
The Name: A Bridge Between Past and Future
IANOS is a philosophy. Inspired by Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings, the name reflects continuity and the responsibility of carrying heritage into the modern era. I wondered what the name meant specifically to Jacob.
“IANOS is not simply a reference to mythology, but a statement about continuity. Janus, the inspiration for the name, was the God of beginnings and endings and could see the future and the past. Personally, the name represents the connection between past and future, and the responsibility of carrying a long cultural heritage into something new. When I chose the name, I wanted it to be a reminder that we are building on thousands of years of Greek history and culture. At the same time, I would like to think that IANOS is not just preserving the past but is translating it into objects that are meant to be lived with today and tomorrow. The name IANOS is therefore about inspiration from the past but with a clear vision for the future.”
It’s a philosophy that permeates the brand — a conscious translation of Greek history into modern objects that are meant to be used, admired, and experienced every day. Each timepiece embodies this continuum, taking historical inspiration and rendering it through modern design and engineering choices.
Deliberate, Meaningful Releases
Unlike brands that accelerate production to meet fleeting market demands, IANOS consciously chooses patience, letting each project evolve organically. This rare slow-paced development ensures that each release is genuinely imbued with story, integrity, and uncompromising quality—a stance increasingly sought after by serious collectors weary of mass production. Is there any reason for the patience?
“Patience is not a strategy for me, it is a necessity. It is the only way I know how to work. When you are building watches around heritage and story, you cannot accelerate the process without losing the essence. Each model takes years to bring to life, not only because of design and production, but because the story has to be distilled into an object with integrity and respect for the story being told. I would rather have fewer watches in the world, each with meaning, than selling more without any inspiration.”
This deliberate pace protects the soul of the brand:
“It is all of these, but ultimately it is about protecting the integrity of the brand. Quality control is obviously a major issue as we want our watches to meet the highest standards. Design satisfaction is also essential and if I release something before it is resolved, it would betray the whole philosophy of IANOS. And yes, there is also the human dimension. Being a small brand, watchmaking at this level demands total commitment. If I were to accelerate just for the sake of volume, not only would quality suffer, but the soul of the brand would be diluted. The deliberate pace is a safeguard. It ensures that every release carries the same weight and respect as the one before it.”
Collectors benefit from this philosophy: distinctive features like kampanelopetra hour markers and Antikythera-inspired seconds discs aren’t just aesthetic flourishes—they’re the result of meticulous, extended design cycles focused on achieving authenticity.
The Trilogy: Watches That Tell Stories
IANOS’s catalog is deliberately small but rich with narrative. Each model embodies a chapter in Greek maritime history, from ancient sponge diving to modern interpretations of cultural symbols. Each watch carries the weight of an incredible story as well, stories that Jacob wishes more enthusiasts would take an active interest in.
“I wish more people would ask about why we chose the specific stories we did. None of our stories or inspirations are random. All have been very carefully selected and thought of, each for their individual merits but also so they work together as a chapter of IANOS history. They come from deep reflection about what aspects of Greek culture deserve to be carried into watchmaking, and why. Too often the questions are about specifications or comparisons with other brands. Those are valid, but they miss the essence. IANOS is not only about how the watches are made, but why they exist in the first place. ”
Take this as a subtle call to action. There's nothing that connects a wearer to their watch more than explaining the stories that surround their watch, and why it's important and interesting to them. After all, we're all seeking a little bit more meaning in a world of flash and bang culture.
Avyssos — A Tribute to Ancient Divers
The debut Avyssos (“Abyss”) pays homage to Greece’s sponge divers. Its dial indices are shaped like kampanelopetra, weighted stones divers historically used to guide their descents, and its running seconds indicator takes inspiration from the Antikythera mechanism.
Case: 44mm steel
Water resistance: 300 meters
Movement: Manual-wind
Design touchpoints: Kampanelopetra hour markers, unique small-seconds disc, integrated strap channel
Avyssos established the brand's reputation for melding utility and story. It was a piece that celebrated originality, with every detail intentionally selected. International acclaim quickly followed, highlighting how Avyssos managed to balance robust technical achievement with evocative symbolism.
Mihanikos — Industrial Greek Diving
The Mihanikos reflects the shift from free-diving to industrial sponge diving. Its wide, porthole-style bezel echoes the helmets and suits that defined early 20th-century Greek diving, and a small-seconds disc at six o’clock resembles an air-pump indicator.
Case: 43mm steel
Water resistance: 300 meters
Movement: Sellita SW360 automatic
Unique touches: Engraved Greek lyric “If I die, don’t cry for me, bury me in the sand”, limited editions, rugged, utilitarian aesthetic
Mihanikos also found a special home in a Chronopassion Paris limited edition, proving the design’s resonance beyond Greece. It has become an object appreciated by both technical watch enthusiasts and those who prioritize cultural storytelling in design.
Dytis — Modern Greek Symbolism
The Dytis refines IANOS’s philosophy into a lightweight, modern diver. At 41mm across and 49mm lug-to-lug, it’s compact and wearable while maintaining 300 meters of water resistance. The titanium case keeps it light, while blue-and-white dial options honor the Greek flag. The small-seconds disc now doubles as an “evil eye,” blending functionality with cultural symbolism.
Case: 41mm titanium
Water resistance: 300 meters
Movement: Sellita SW360-1 automatic
Design highlights: Flush strap channel for comfort, modern proportions, cultural symbolism
The selection of Dytis by Greece’s elite Underwater Demolition Teams in 2025 demonstrates not only its technical credibility but its symbolic embodiment of Greek pride. Its presence at Athens retailer Ora Kessaris further cements Dytis’s reputation as both a tool watch and an artifact of modern Greek heritage.
Success and Legacy
For Jacob and IANOS, success is not about growth or scale. It’s about authenticity, meaning, and endurance. In a world full of examples that follow the opposite path, it is refreshing to see that true passion principles can still guide founders. When asked if IANOS never grew beyond where it is today—no more SKUs, no flagship boutique, no ambassadors—would that feel like success to Jacob, he replied:
“Yes. Success for IANOS was never defined by scale. Of course, growth can open new opportunities and bring the brand to more people, but for me the true measure of success is whether we have remained authentic to my vision of bringing Greek culture and history to more people through watchmaking. If ten or twenty years from now IANOS still exists as a small, independent brand with a handful of watches that have stood the test of time, that in itself would be an achievement. What matters is not how big IANOS becomes, but whether the watches continue to carry meaning for those who choose them. That has always been the objective.”
Collectors increasingly recognize that lasting value in horology comes not just from technical prowess, but from the stories those skills serve to tell. Watches that endure do so because they invite meaningful connections across generations.
And when looking a century ahead, if someone were to find an IANOS piece in a forgotten drawer, he imagines the connection between wearer and history:
“I would hope they see it and understand that the person who wore it valued history, inspiration and vision more than function. That they were someone who did not follow trends blindly, but chose an object that connected them to something deeper. Perhaps they will recognize that it was chosen by someone who cared about history, about craftsmanship, about meaning in everyday objects. I would hope that they sense continuity—that the watch is not just a relic of a brand, but an expressive piece that carries forward a specific story. If that is what someone understands, even a century later, then IANOS will have done its job.”
Design as Storytelling
Jacob’s personal obsession is design — not in the abstract, but as a vessel for narrative. He chooses the creative process as the default role as a founder. Though outsourcing may have become an option for some brands, Jacob has other ideas and the brand is better off for it.
“My passion is design. I love the creative process; diving deep into Greek history and mythology for inspiration, finding design elements that work in a modern setting, arranging them in a coherent whole without it becoming a gimmick. This is a very difficult line to tread on and I am very glad we have been so successful this far. Because at the end of the day, the design of an IANOS watch is not purely decorative, it is the way the story is told, and the story cannot survive if the design is compromised. ”
For collectors, the knowledge that every watch is shaped directly by the founder’s vision adds a rare dimension of value and integrity—making ownership as much about connection as it is about aesthetics or performance.
Why IANOS Watches Matter
IANOS may be independent, but its voice is loud — a clear, intentional statement in a crowded market. Every dial, case, and strap channel communicates heritage. Every small detail connects to a story that spans centuries of Greek maritime culture. For collectors and enthusiasts who value narrative as much as mechanics, IANOS is a rare, meaningful find.
For me, starting the Origins series here felt natural. It’s a watch brand where the founder’s vision drives every choice, where history and culture aren’t marketing tools but essential ingredients, and where design and utility exist in harmony.
Jacob’s words underscore what I’ve always valued in horology: a watch can be more than timekeeping; it can be a story, a connection, a bridge between past and present. IANOS Watches embodies all of that, and I’m looking forward to exploring more brands in this same lens in future installments of this series.
A special thank you to Jacob for his insight and contributions to this piece and the larger watch community. We all wish him and IANOS continued success.
BALANCE & BRIDGE