First Hand: A Watchmaking Workshop by Hampden
Join First Hand — Hampden’s immersive watchmaking workshop — hosted at our historic Chicago headquarters. In this six-hour, hands-on experience, you’ll take a fully disassembled Swiss mechanical movement and, with a loupe at your eye and tweezers in hand, assemble it gear by gear under the guidance of third-generation Hampden CEO Joseph Wein.
You’ll set the dial and hands, regulate timing, and toast your first tick with a celebratory drink. Then, after you case and water-test......
Workshop Details
- Swiss Made 6498 movement (assembled by you)
- Two exclusive dial options (choose at class)
- Dual-strap setup: leather + steel bracelet
- Personal engraving (initials + assembly date)
- Dinner, drinks, and all tools provided
- Certificate of completion + travel case
- One observer guest welcome per participant
- Comfortable seating and beverages provided for guests
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Questions? We've got answers.
The Experience
Not at all. This workshop is designed for both collectors and complete beginners. We’ll teach you everything, step by step — no prior skills required.
You’ll assemble a Swiss Made 6498 mechanical movement by hand, engrave it with your initials, and walk away wearing a Hampden timepiece you built yourself — including two straps, a leather case, and a certificate of completion.
It runs approximately 6 hours from 10AM-4PM, including instruction, hands-on assembly, engraving, lunch, and final casing. You’ll arrive late-morning and leave after lunch wearing your finished watch.
Yes — from gear train to timing, with real watchmaking tools under a microscope. Our team guides every step to ensure you leave with a functioning timepiece.
Yes — each paid seat includes space for one guest to observe. Perfect for partners or gift-givers who want to share in the experience.
Planning & Logistics
At Hampden’s Chicago headquarters in the West Loop. The exact address will be sent after registration, along with parking and arrival details.
We anticipate taking the workshop on the road in 2026 - signup for our waitlist to be alerted to new dates and locations.
We’ve designed this as a destination-worthy experience. Let us know if you need hotel, neighborhood, or entertainment recommendations — we’re happy to help and make First Hand the centerpiece of your Chicago getaway.
Join the waitlist and you’ll be the first to know if a seat opens up or new sessions are added.
Yes — we allow one date change up to 14 days before your scheduled class by emailing firsthand@hampdenwatch.com. After that, we’ll do our best to accommodate based on availability.
We recommend selecting a date now to secure your seat. But if you’re gifting it and need flexibility, join the waitlist or email us at firsthand@hampdenwatch.com and we’ll work with you.
Everything. Your watch, all tools, instruction, dinner and drinks, engraving, straps, travel case — no upsells or surprises. Just bring yourself and your curiosity.
Gifting & Guests
Yes — simply select “This is a gift” at checkout. We’ll send a personalized certificate you can forward or print.
The deposit is nonrefundable but fully transferable to another date or guest up to 14 days’ prior to the class, when the full payment is due. If you need flexibility, we’ll work with you.
Email us at firsthand@hampdenwatch.com and we'll take care of you.
Your Watch
Yes — you’ll select your dial color and strap style at the class. Both designs are exclusive to the First Hand workshop and are not available for general sale. Every watch comes with both a stainless steel bracelet and matching strap.
Absolutely. We water-test every finished piece on-site. You’ll leave with a watch built to wear, not just admire.