Mk II (pronounced "Mark Two") is an American watch brand founded in 2002 that specializes in vintage-inspired tool watches. The company originally began by offering customization parts and services for other manufacturers' timepieces, such as Luminox and the Seiko Diver series, effectively pioneering a niche for enthusiasts to modify and personalize their watches. This early dedication to modification laid the groundwork for the brand's eventual evolution into a full-fledged watchmaker that emphasizes utilitarianism and reliability.
The name "Mk II" is a nod to the military designation for a second generation or iteration of equipment. This reflects the brand's core philosophy: to revisit and revitalize classic designs that may have been lost to history or never reached their full potential due to the technological limitations of their era. Rather than producing exact replicas, Mk II seeks to "complete the work" of these original concepts by upgrading them with modern materials and manufacturing techniques while preserving the spirit of the original tool watches.
Today, Mk II offers a range of "Ready-to-Wear" and "Benchcrafted" timepieces that are often assembled in the United States using Swiss and Japanese components. Key collections include the Paradive, a homage to watches issued to US Special Forces in the 1960s and 70s; the Cruxible, inspired by A-11 field watches; and the Stingray II, a modern take on classic dive watches. Through these models, the brand maintains a reputation for high-quality workmanship and a design ethos grounded in the practical, rugged aesthetic of military history.