Ed Margulies, who’s worked across the international watch industry for three decades, is now busy doing things in a new way. His world changed when – ‘after years of hiding my feelings behind a smile’, he says – he had a breakdown. Trauma engulfed him and he had to work hard to get his energy back. This was the impetus he needed to look at things differently and, in doing so, help out a bit along the way.
The third generation of an eminent family in the watch universe, Margulies formed Split Watches in 2025, with the idea that every watch tells a story and can start a conversation. With all his experience in the watch business, he started with a clear idea of where he wanted to go with the product. He’d always been fond of Japanese brand Seiko and worked with it on the movement, creating a cool bi-compax chronograph. It’s his favourite watch design – uncluttered and clean with two symmetrical registers.
The material is a fusion of high-level polymers and ceramic and the comfortable strap is made from a sophisticated rubber composite. The colours and design are both bold and subtle, giving the watch a modern, practical look.
Wearing a Split watch means you’re making a statement. ‘Getting people – particularly men – to open up and talk about how they feel is really important,’ Margulies says. ‘We need to be empathetic to each other and be aware we’re all in this together and be conscious of others who struggle too.’ He wants to get people connecting, talking openly about their feelings and has music legend Don Letts on board as ambassador, helping the message resonate.
And its philanthropic ambitions exist in real time too. For every watch sold, an hour’s therapy is donated to Split’s partner charity to help mental health. ‘I used to see vulnerability as a problem when I was growing up,’ Margulies says. ‘Now, it’s a huge strength.’
Jo Glasbey is watch editor at Times Luxx
