I’ve been deeply interested in watches for over a decade so when I saw that Hampden was offering a one-day watchmaking class I jumped at the opportunity. What a fabulous experience! You can watch all the videos and animations about how a watch works but you can’t truly understand and appreciate how intricate and finely wrought a watch mechanism is until you actually have the hands-on experience of grasping and assembling the gears and levers. The student-instructor ratio is 2-1 and all the instructors are friendly and ready to jump in with their expertise to lend a hand or an encouraging word. I left, not only with a beautiful watch, but with a deep appreciation for the time-telling machine on my wrist. No previous experience is necessary. I highly recommend the class whether you’re an enthusiast or first-timer.

This has been one of the best hands-on experiences I have attended! There is truly magic in that room that becomes an enchantment on your wrist. Taking a Swiss Movement and learning not just how it works but taking it apart all the way down to the Main Plate and then reconstructing the movement is very satisfying. Marc, Oscar, and Gian were wonderful instructors, never hesitating to jump in or ensure we were understanding not just the concept but the hands-on aspect. From the disassembly, assembly, time regulation and water resistance testing, their pleasant demeanor and patience really put everyone at ease and made the class even more enjoyable!

I would highly recommend taking this workshop! There's nothing like the satisfaction of making something uniquely your own, and "it" being a Swiss Watch is an experience not to be passed over.

My wife found Hampden online as I'm a watchmaking novice and wanted to up my skills a bit. This class takes you through the basics of how a mechanical watch movement functions and how to disassemble, reassemble, case, apply hands, and otherwise assemble a watch.

Having put together a few watches from parts, some of it was familiar, but I definitely gained a lot of confidence from hands-on assembling the movement in an environment where there was always someone there to catch any mistakes before they became bigger problems.

The team was fantastic, the hospitality was great (my wife didn't attend but she was treated like a client and taken care of throughout her short time there). Lunch was wonderful, and I can't recommend the class highly enough.

Understandably, the class is not "cheap," but you're getting a full 8-hour class with assistance from an entire team dedicated to your success, and you walk out with skills and confidence along with a fantastic mechanical watch that is a true 1 of 1. I really can't say enough good things about Hampden's team and class.

If you're a watch enthusiast or just someone who likes to learn how to take something apart and put it back together and you're able to attend, you should! Thank you so much to Joe and Marc and the rest of the Hampden crew for a wonderful memory that will stick with me as long as my watch does!

The folks at Hampden Watch have clearly invested tons of time, effort, and passion on a one-day workshop that not only allows students to learn some watchmaking history and disassemble/assemble/case/test a Swiss mechanical movement with professional-grade tools, but also to wear said watch (your choice of watch face/strap colors with custom engraving visible through the exhibition case back) out the door at the end of the course. I had a great experience with my 5 fellow students and 3 instructors (Marc, Gian, and Oscar). As an instructor/educator myself, I appreciated their ability to teach, give autonomy for each student to work at their own pace, while still keeping the flow smooth and providing oversight/assistance individually as needed. Highly recommended! I would go back for an intermediate course once they develop/offer it.

This was touted as a 1 day course in watchmaking, no experience or knowledge of watches required. And in the end, you get a watch, that you've put together, to take home. I was a little apprehensive at first as I knew nothing about the inner workings of a watch. But in short time, the instructors, Joe and Marc, who are amazing, put me at ease, and the course that they've put together, is truly approachable for the novice. That being said, the experience of taking apart a watch and putting it back together, would be worthwhile even for someone which knowledge of watches. I love the comradery that the atmosphere lended itself to. The lunch that they provided was better than most restaurants (and I'd like to think that I'm a foodie). And the watch that I had put together, which included a personalized, initialized gear, is a watch that I'd be proud to wear. Overall, an amazing experience. I hope they do a more advanced course. Will definitely take again.