Hampden’s watchmaking workshop was everything I hoped for. The day was designed to be an experience beyond making a watch and it was curated well. There were nice pastries, coffees, and energy drinks available in the morning, a very nice lunch, and a great offering of drinks after we finished testing our watches. Joe, the third-generation owner of Hampden, gave a very personal over view of the watch industry and Hampden. That made it real and not just a recitation of facts. Joe’s cousin, Mitchell, happened to be in Chicago and dropped by so we learned a little about his company, Marathon Watches in Canada, too.

The six of us represented a good mix of neophyte to expert collectors from across the country. The equipment we used was designed and made to guide us through the process. We used microscopes instead of a loupe, which was much easier to use. The ratio of participants to workshop experts was 2 to 1, so there was always someone next to me who could answer a question or offer advice. When I needed a little help, I always got just enough. Someone would help me place a screw or show me how to hold the tweezers, and allowed me to screw it in.

In the past few days I have had several people ask me about my new watch, which gave me a chance to show it off. Everyone is impressed with its style and quality and they are amazed that I built it. Hampden has a little extra special meaning to me because my grandfather and aunt had Hampden pocket watches. When my youngest…

I had the opportunity to enjoy Hampden’s watch building class with my two teenage sons earlier this month. What a fun experience! One watch professional per two students was the perfect ratio. My boys and I left with matching watches that look great, keep time better then some watches that cost 100x, and have sentimental value greater then all but one watch I own (Tag Heuer HS graduation 1993). The lunch was great. The scotch was great. The building has a great historic warehouse vibe. I really can’t say enough good things about the experience. Admittedly I’m a big watch nerd so getting to play around with movements is right up my alley. But even for someone with only a passing interest in watches it could be a fun day. The other classmates were interesting with varied life stories and watch interests. I enjoyed meeting them as did my older son in particular. A++++ Marc and team. Sincere gratitude for a cool experience!

I attended the July 25, 2026 workshop. The workshop exceeded my expectations, and I walked away at the end of the day knowing I learned exactly how a watch works, completely enjoyed myself, and now have a watch in which I am proud to say I built myself. The 2:1 participant to instructor was key to never feeling like you needed to wait for assistance if you had a question during movement assembly.

The thought process that went into creating this workshop and the quality and personalities of the instructors was phenomenal.

The served very tasty pastries and a phenomenal lunch on china with wine and or other beverages.

Anyone who is interested mechanical watches or just things mechanical would find this workshop fascinating. There is a high probability I will return with a friend or child. It was so well done.

If you are looking for a truly unique, hands-on experience in Chicago, look no further than the watchmaking class with Hampden Watches. I walked in with zero experience and walked out with a stunning, functional piece of mechanical art that I built with my own two hands.

The class itself strikes the perfect balance between fascinating education and meticulous crafting. The instructors are incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and passionate, guiding you through the intricate inner workings of a timepiece. There is a meditative, deeply satisfying feeling to working with such tiny components and watching a movement come to life.

But the absolute best part is the sentimental value. Every single time I look down at my wrist to check the time, I get this amazing rush of pride knowing, "Wow, I actually put this together."

It’s more than just a high-quality timepiece; it’s a tangible memory of my summer in Chicago that I will cherish forever. If you get the chance to take this class, don't hesitate. It is worth every single penny.

I recently got into watch collecting and wanted to learn more about how mechanical watches actually work. After hearing about Hampden’s watchmaking workshop on a podcast, I decided to sign up, and I’m really glad I did.

From the moment I arrived, Joe and Mark made me feel welcome and right at home. The day starts with a great breakfast with pastries, fruit, coffee, and more. The class itself is extremely well organized, and the benches and tools are comfortable and easy to use.

One of the things I appreciated most was the pace of the workshop. There’s no pressure and no strict timeline—Joe and Mark take as much time as needed to make sure everyone understands each step and feels comfortable working on their watch. Halfway through the day, everyone breaks for a great lunch, which gave me a chance to talk to the other students about watches and their collections.

Joe and Mark were always happy to answer my questions, whether they’re about watchmaking, the watch industry, or Hampden itself. Joe told us about the history of Hampden and gave us a fantastic tour of the building and his personal watch museum, which features an impressive collection of vintage Hampden, clinton and benrus watches and many other fascinating pieces.

The entire experience feels first class from start to finish. The best part is that you leave with not only a much better understanding of how watches work, but also with a beautiful watch that you assembled with your own hands.

I would highly recommend…