Watchmaking Taster Day Workshop

Discover first-hand what it takes to be a professional watchmaker and dive into the micro-mechanical world of watchmaking.Throughout the class, you will gain invaluable knowledge of the inner workings of a watch movement and begin to master the delicate skill of using watchmaker’s tools. Gain an understanding of the craftsmanship involved in creating a watch as you embark on an extraordinary journey guided by an experienced professional watchmaker.With years of experience as watchmakers and teaching students watchmaking, one of our team will lead you through the process of disassembling a watch movement and then reassembling it. Detailed PowerPoint presentations, videos and hands-on demonstrations will aid your learning and understanding how a watch works.You will be working on an ST36 watch movement, a type of movement that is used in modern-day wristwatches and used in watchmaking training centres throughout the world.This is a very big watch movement, which helps when using tweezers, fine screwdrivers, and a loupe, which magnifies the work, especially for those using these tools for the first time. There are also high-powered trinocular stereo microscopes on each workbench to help with seeing and understanding what you will be working on.You will disassemble the ST36 movement and reassemble it again, until it is fully working and ticking away.You will also lubricate the movement using a fine tipped watchmaker's oiler,  which tests your steady hand, oiling what is in effect the size of a head of a pin!You'll end the class by regulating (timing) the movement to within a few seconds per day using a timegrapher and if you have your own watch, see how that is keeping time using the same equipment.No need to worry if you're new to watchmaking! This workshop is designed to alleviate any fears and cater to beginners. You'll be working with state-of-the-art equipment and height-adjustable workbenches, and one of our watchmakers will be there every step of the way to offer guidance, making the experience enjoyable and enriching.At the end of the workshop, you'll leave with newfound knowledge and a sense of accomplishment. This unique experience offers a transformative journey into the world of horology, allowing you to fuel your passion for watches and gain hands-on experience of how they work.Whether you're a complete novice, an enthusiast, or have always wanted to learn how to make your own watch, this workshop is the perfect activity to nurture your curiosity and expand your horizons.You will also have cloud storage access to the 175 pages PowerPoint presentation that aided the watchmaking taster day, as well as a comprehensive watchmaking tools list to help navigate the pitfalls of buying watchmaking tools and equipment.You'll have the opportunity to buy a brand new ST36 watch movement to take home for an extra £45, payable at the end of the lesson, if you choose.With the movement and presentation you will be able to perform the same disassembly and assembly as you did in the taster day with some basic tools.This is an amazing opportunity to experience what a watchmaker does every day in a small class of up to eight students.If you are driving, there is free parking around Hewlett House, but don’t rely on parking being available, as spaces fill up quickly.There is paid parking in Battersea Park and Battersea Power Station and on Sunday free parking in the surrounding streets and roads.The class starts at 10 am until 4 pm with an hour for breaks and lunch.Please bring a packed lunch with you.Tea and coffee are supplied All equipment including the watch movement is provided, including tweezers, an eyeglass (loupe), screwdrivers and finger cots to use on the day.You'll have the opportunity to buy a brand new ST36 watch movement to take home for an extra £45, payable at the end of the lesson, if you choose.You will also get access to the 175 pages Powerpoint presentation in cloud storage that aids the taster day, as well as an invaluable comprehensive tools list for watchmakers, which explains what tools to buy, what not to buy, how much for and from where. Read more details