First Edition Workshop 6498 Forged Orange
A full day, hands-on watchmaking experience at our Chicago headquarters. The First Edition is not sold finished. You build and personalize it yourself, and leave wearing it.
Temporarily Out of Stock
First Edition celebrates Chicago through eight distinctive dial colors, each inspired by the city's materials, industries, waterways, and architectural heritage. As the inaugural collection created for Hampden's watchmaking workshops, every dial tells a story of craftsmanship, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of a city built by makers.
Forged Orange is the heat of the foundry, the glow of raw steel as the city is poured into being. A bright, molten orange.
BUILT, NEVER BOUGHT.
The First Edition is not for sale. It never has been. The only way to own one is to build it yourself at our Chicago bench, where you choose your dial, set the movement, and engrave it with your initials. Each exists only in the small number made at the workshop, and yours is signed by the hand that built it.
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BUILD YOUR STORY, ONE WHEEL AT A TIME. EXCLUSIVELY OFFERED AT HAMPDEN'S CHICAGO HQ.
The Ultimate Watch Lover's Experience
BUILD YOUR STORY, ONE WHEEL AT A TIME. EXCLUSIVELY OFFERED AT HAMPDEN'S CHICAGO HQ.
THE EXPERIENCE INCLUDES
What You’ll Leave With
- Full day, hands-on instruction in our Chicago workshop
- Your own Swiss 6498 mechanical watch (42mm)
- Personal engraving and dual-strap setup
- Chef-catered gourmet lunch and refreshments
- Certificate of completion + custom travel case
Each workshop is limited to just six guests (1:2 teacher-student ratio), ensuring every participant receives individual guidance at the watchmaker’s bench.
"BEST WATCH CLASSES IN AMERICA"
"Tick, Tick, Boom! Students Flock to Hampden’s Watchmaking Workshop"
"Country's Oldest Watch Company Committed to Chicago"
- JPJeffrey P.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 starsYesterdayDon’t pass this up!!
I had an amazing time at Hampden making my own watch. The people were very knowledgeable and very friendly.
This is the best in class of any other watch making class I’ve taken so far!!
If you ever have the opportunity don’t pass it up!!
I’m looking forward to doing the Level #2 when it becomes available!!
- TMTroy M.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars4 days agoGreat Experience
This was a great way to spend a day. Got to tear down and reassemble a Swiss movement, Take the asembled movement pick a dial and build a beautiful watch from all the parts!
- DMDavid M.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars3 weeks agoWhat else can be said!?
Worth every penny! What a unique, extremely well curated experience. Marc, Oscar, and Gian were a pleasure to learn from and get to know throughout the day. And above all, love the watch! It will certainly get a lot of wrist time.
- SPSteven P.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars3 weeks agoOne of the best classes I’ve ever taken
Every once in a while you come across a class that interests you and wonder if it’s too good to be true… for a watch collector and hobbyist, that would be a class where you take apart a Swiss watch movement and reassemble it in one day’s time. This is that opportunity.
Hampden nailed it! From the moment I walked in the classroom to when I left in the afternoon with my new timepiece that I built, I was treated as a VIP guest. Joe and his team consisting of Mark, Gian and Oscar not only make you feel welcome, but instill the confidence throughout the day that you’re going to build a cool watch step by step, and I did.
The class is laid out perfectly and is well thought out, so even someone who never opened a watch is successful and is having fun.
I highly recommend this class to anyone interested in watches or even to those who are just curious to learn how things work. You won’t be disappointed.
Looking forward to the next class they offer, I’ll definitely be coming back.
- MPMichael P.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars3 weeks agoCore memory experience
I cannot recommend this experience enough for those interested in watchmaking and/or just interested in experiencing something new and different.
Great instructors that were knowledgeable, patient and personable, amazing space to work in and highly engaging content about horology, company history and of course the watch making.
I’ve made several watches through at home kits and on my own and learned many new techniques that help me with my hobby and this watch is by far my favorite that I have made.
I highly recommend this experience!