I took the First Hand watchmaking class at Hampden Watches this past weekend and it was an outstanding experience.

The class is fully hands-on. You are not just watching, you are actually working on the movement and learning how everything functions. The instructors explain things clearly and take the time to make sure you understand each step.

Walking away with a watch I built myself was incredibly rewarding and gave me a whole new appreciation for mechanical watches.

I would highly recommend this class to anyone interested in watchmaking, whether you are just starting out or looking to go deeper.

What a phenomenal experience made possible by Joe, Marc, the rest of the team at Hampden (and my wife)!! Such an immersive experience into firsthand watchmaking. A must do for anyone remotely interested in mechanical timepieces. The history shared throughout the day was an added plus. The team made us comfortable working with the tools of the trade on true Swiss movements. Incredible.

I had an excellent experience at the workshop. Joe and Marc were very knowledgeable, patient, and made the whole process engaging and enjoyable. The workshop was well organized, hands-on, and a great way to learn about the craftsmanship behind watchmaking. I may have some expensive watches ... but the watch I built is truly valuable.

Today I did the coolest thing ever! I went to Chicago based Hampden Watch Company, who can trace their roots back to 1877. Hampden Watch as a brand, if I understood all the history we learned today, came into existence 1922, making them over 100 years old and the oldest current USA watch making company. I took their First Hand Watchmaking Workshop where you start the day with a Swiss made movement and you take it completely apart, all the way to just a back plane, and then you put it all back together, and just like Wrist Watch Revival's Marshall, you put the balance wheel in and hold your breath to see if it starts!!! Let me tell you it was both easy and extremely difficult. Their expert staff, lead by the CEO Joseph Wein, walked you through the process step by step on the video screen, and you use of top notch professional equipment. The class was limited to 6 seat with three instructors. After successfully getting your movement running, we went and had a fabulous lunch, then the tour of the achieves, and then returned to the work lab where you choose your dial, added hands, cased the unit, put it on the chronographer, pressure tested it and then added your choice of bracelet or strap - and get to keep the watch!!! Here are some photos. It is one heluva watch and I cannot wait to start trying my hand on more!!!!!

Joe,

My watch collection is valued at more than 1M, with watchmakers from Kari Voutilainen, Andreas Strehler, Armin Strom, Emmanuel Bouchet, etc., etc.

And yet, since our class on Saturday, I have not worn any timepiece other than my ETA Hampden watch that I crafted (mostly 😆) myself. Pride of craftsmanship. And it’s keeping perfect time.

Thank you for an extraordinary experience in disassembling, reassembling, casing, dialing/handing, water testing , and timing a timepiece.

My sincere thanks for offering your exceptional watchmaking class.

Vincent