When Gilbert Maalouf started Tedoro, Lebanon was deep in its economic crisis. Access to banking and funding was severely restricted, and crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter were not open to Lebanon-based founders. He set out to build an independent mechanical watch brand anyway, with its own case designs and a clear link to regional heritage.
Founded in 2025 and based in Zahle, Tedoro has since sold more than 600 watches in over 35 countries. International watch publications including Oracle Time, Time+Tide and Worn & Wound have covered the brand.
Building a watch brand without a funding round
Original case designs need tooling and moulds before a single watch is made, and the watch market is already crowded. With the usual funding routes closed, Maalouf grew the business step by step, one conversation and one customer at a time.
That approach still shapes the company. Maalouf stays personally involved in product development and customer care, and he often speaks with collectors directly before and after they buy. Design direction and brand operations are run from Lebanon, while specialist international partners handle manufacturing.
Mother-of-pearl, meteorite and a nod to the Gulf
Tedoro's range covers everyday automatic watches and limited-edition GMT models, which track more than one time zone. Each collection gets its own identity through materials such as mother-of-pearl and natural meteorite.
The Harmony 39 GMT "Sarab" shows how far that goes. Limited to 300 pieces, it takes its cues from the Gulf with a geometric mother-of-pearl dial, Arabic numerals and regional landmarks on the caseback. The edition is almost sold out and has been nominated for the 2026 Oracle Time Watch Awards.
In July 2026, Tedoro launched the Quadra GMT Meteorite, another 300-piece edition, with dials made from natural Muonionalusta meteorite.
A Lebanon edition in the works
Maalouf is now developing new additions to the Harmony 39 GMT collection, including a Lebanon-inspired edition. His aim is to build a lasting Lebanese watch brand with an international audience, without losing the personal relationships that got Tedoro started.
"There is nothing impossible. If you envision it, you can achieve it," he says. "Building Tedoro from Lebanon has tested that belief, but every person who chooses to wear one reminds me why I keep going. We're building this together, one watch and one relationship at a time."
Explore Tedoro's collections, including the Sarab and the Quadra GMT Meteorite, at tedorowatches.com.
Tedoro
