No. First Hand is designed for beginners. About 90% of our guests have never sat at a watchmaking bench before. We teach you step-by-step with a 2:1 instructor-to-student ratio, so you’re guided closely the entire time.

You'll build the First Edition, a 42mm mechanical watch powered by a Swiss manual-wind movement, then leave wearing it. This isn't a demo. It's a real build, guided by Hampden's watchmaking team, designed to become an heirloom you'll actually wear.

Plan for a full day, roughly six to seven hours, starting at 9:00 AM. Lunch is included, along with a break for a private gallery tour.

Yes. From gear train to timing, you’ll build the full movement using real watchmaking tools under a microscope. Our team will guide you through every step to ensure you leave with a fully functioning mechanical watch.

Workshops take place at Hampden’s Chicago headquarters in the West Loop (1550 W Carroll Avenue). Free parking is available.

We’ve designed First Hand as a destination-worthy experience. If you’d like hotel or dining recommendations, our team will gladly help make your visit — and your new watch — the centerpiece of your Chicago getaway.

Join the waitlist to be the first to know when seats open or new sessions are added.

Yes. You can reschedule once, up to 14 days before your class, by emailing us. After that, we’ll do our best to accommodate you based on availability.

Your seat includes:

• A full guided watchmaking workshop at Hampden HQ
• Your Swiss mechanical watch (the one you build)
• Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments
• All tools, materials, and instruction throughout the day
• A private tour of Hampden's corporate watch collection, featuring 150 years of watchmaking history

Yes — we have gift certificates available which includes First Access for new dates.

Each session has only six seats and most sell out, so we keep this simple and fair:

• Seats are non-refundable but fully transferable. Send someone in your place any time, at no charge. This is the simplest option and keeps your full value, so we recommend it first.
• 14 or more days out: we’ll reschedule you once to any open session, no charge.
• Inside 14 days: if you can’t attend or transfer your seat, your payment converts to Hampden credit at 50% toward a future session or watch.
• No-shows forfeit the seat. We may extend credit for a genuine emergency, at our discretion.

Yes — we host private and corporate workshops for groups of six. Email hello@hampdenwatch.com to inquire.

Email us at hello@hampdenwatch.com and we'll take care of you.

Currently the watch for the workshop is 42mm. We will be offering other sizes and experiences at a later time.

Yes. The First Hand workshop centers on the 42mm First Edition. During the experience, you'll choose from eight workshop-exclusive dials, each named for Chicago's materials and landmarks. We engrave your initials on the movement, and the sapphire exhibition back lets you revisit the moment every time you look down.

Absolutely. Every finished watch is water-tested on-site. You’ll leave with a timepiece built to wear — not just admire.