Cactus was started in 2006 by Sheryl and Len Smith, husband and wife team with many years' experience in the watch industry.

There was so little available for parents who wanted to buy their child a first watch with good design and form. Parents could choose poorly made product from licensed movie themes and TV characters, knowing that their child would soon lose interest in the character or theme. We wanted to make kids' watches that would last, would be classical yet trendy and modern. But above all, we wanted to make quality products that boys and girls would be proud to own and want to look after well.