Since its founding in 2014, Ibarra has grown into one of the Philippines’ leading watch brands. In 2017, it was endorsed by the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines and presented as the official commemorative timepiece of ASEAN50 to world leaders. Two years later, in 2019, Ibarra was chosen as the official commemorative watch of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

Ibarra also recreated the timepiece once owned by Dr. José Rizal, the Philippine national hero, with permission from his descendants—reviving a historical watch for the modern era. Rizal’s documented stay in Tokyo during his travels symbolizes the quiet historical connection between the Philippines and Japan, a bond that continues to this day.

The design of Deco Ibarra was created by Francisco Moreno, founder of Ibarra, who later moved to Japan to pursue graduate studies in business at Hitotsubashi University. Now based in Tokyo, Moreno continues his work as a watchmaker and designer, handcrafting timepieces in his own studio. Through his encounters with Japanese watchmakers and artisans—and their philosophies of precision and restraint—Moreno has deepened his own understanding of watchmaking, a perspective that now subtly shapes not only his personal creations but also the evolving direction of Ibarra.

It is from this cultural and personal continuum that Deco Ibarra was born — a design line bridging two traditions, two cities, and two ways of seeing time.