Watchmaking Taster Day Workshop

Recent reviews of Watchmaking Taster Day Workshop

• 5/5 from Colin Potter, attended Sep 2026: This was an excellent day which exceeded expectations. No experience was needed, just curiosity. Jon was a natural teacher and the class was well paced and pitched perfectly for beginners. It was great to have the sense of satisfaction of taking a watch apart, putting it back together again and hearing it tick. The facilities were incredible.
• 5/5 from Raman Dega, attended Sep 2026: I enjoyed the introduction to watch making, it made appreciate the intricacies of manual watches, Jon was friendly and very knowledgeable, I would definitely recommend this to anyone with curiosity to learn more
• 5/5 from Patrik Nicholls, attended Sep 2026: Genuinely outstanding day that managed to balance a hands on insight into watch making/servicing, a technical overview of the mechanics of how watches work and some of the history behind watchmaking itself The set up in the classrooms was excellent with genuine investment in making the tools and environment comfortable to practice in. Finally Jon was hugely charismatic and I really enjoyed his approach. I learnt loads and would recommend the day to anyone.
• 5/5 from Anonymised ClassBento customer, attended Sep 2026: What an amazing activity. It was challenging but achievable. Very well guided by Jon who was fun, informative and extremely helpful throughout.
• 5/5 from Nick Rabey, attended Sep 2026: Jon was an excellent teacher. Great set up and equipment. Gave a superb, clear introduction to a complex craft whilst building confidence in my own practical skills. Thoroughly recommended.
• 5/5 from Mark Hodding, attended Sep 2026: A birthday gift (which I had asked for). Calm help and encouragement from Jon who clearly knows more about watches than anyone should want to, he shares his knowledge and enthusiasm. Impossible not to be enthused. In a small group of four I think I can safely say we all left very satisfied. Recommend to anyone who likes building, mending or fettling things.
• 5/5 from Lee Hollins, attended Sep 2026: An incredible day. A really well structured event with just the right blend of theory and practical. Lots of hands on. I came away enthused and proud of myself. It would be an awesome gift for anyone with an interest in watches or just looking to try something new. It was great value for money. I can't recommend highly enough. Thanks Jon. I'll be back for more.
• 5/5 from Stan Ko, attended Sep 2026: Very nice experience, the setting of the clas room is top level professional, big knowledge for short time-strongly recommend
• 5/5 from Peter Vegh, attended Sep 2026: Really enjoyed Jon's class. It was fun and engaging. It didn't just take us through the technical bits of watchmaking but also gave us a glance on the history of it.
• 5/5 from Jason Lawless, attended Sep 2026: A brilliant day and a fantastic introduction to the world of watchmaking. Jon is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, but he also has a real talent for explaining things clearly and making everyone feel at ease. The workshop was hands-on and very challenging. Steady hands and sharp eyes are needed (but probably lacking on my part!). There is a great deal of satisfaction in seeing the watch burst into life at the end of the day. The facilities and equipment were excellent, and Jon was always there with patient guidance when needed. After years of collecting watches, I satisfied a long-term wish of rebuilding a watch (without destroying one of my own!). I came away having learned so much. Highly recommended!
• 5/5 from Chris Eschle, attended Aug 2026: I had a fantastic day on Jon’s watchmaking course. Jon was incredibly knowledgeable and shared his expertise in a way that was both engaging and easy to follow. The day was hands-on, informative, and enjoyable throughout. I came away with a much greater appreciation of watchmaking and would highly recommend the course to anyone with an interest in watches.
• 5/5 from Anonymised ClassBento customer, attended Aug 2026: Very enjoyable and well delivered starter day course. Jon is clearly very knowledgeable but excellent at passing instructions for those brand new to the techniques. Would recommend!
• 5/5 from Ben Toner, attended Aug 2026: This experience was bought as a gift. Jon was welcoming from the onset and made everyone feel comfortable and at ease. The class was delivered in a detailed but relaxed and easy way to understand. It was hands on pretty much from the start and Jon made sure that everyone was comfortable with what they were doing and took the time to walk round everyone's table giving one to one advice and guidance. His knowledge for watchmaking was exceptional and his passion was infectious. It was a great experience and has opened my eyes to a wonderful trade. I would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in watches or micro-mechanical engineering.
• 5/5 from Andrew Fergusson-Rees, attended Aug 2026: Really enjoyed the day at John's watch class on Sunday. The class had a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with clear and helpful instruction throughout. I really did learn so much during the time I was there and had a lot of fun too. I highly recommend to any watch enthusiast!
• 5/5 from Dinesh Samtani, attended Aug 2026: Really was an enjoyable introduction into watchmaking - the lab is well stocked and the instructions are clear - Jon is great and has a true passion for the craft! Highly recommend!
• 5/5 from Andrew Gregory, attended Aug 2026: Fantastic day - extremely well run with an equally well equipped classroom. Jon obviously loves the subject and it shows in his teaching style. Hands on with disassembling a watch happened quickly and was great fun if not a little tricky. Would definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in how a mechanical watch works. You will leave better informed with some historical background in the watch industry as well. All in all, my idea of a perfect day. Thank you.
• 5/5 from Sean McGuire, attended Aug 2026: Jon is an excellent teacher and I loved the watchmaking taster class that I attended today. He is clearly very passionate about watchmaking and provided great information and practical advice throughout the day. It was great fun, really interesting and was so much better than other “watchmaking” classes that I’ve done. Would highly recommend this class for anyone interested in learning more about watchmaking and taking their first steps in learning how to service a watch.
• 5/5 from Dave Hughes, attended Aug 2026: Brought as a gift for my husband and the communication from Jon the Watch was excellent from start to finish. My husband had a great time and came home talking about the course and the skill and knowledge of Jon. Would not hesitate to recommend the watchmaking day.
• 5/5 from Tobias Morphet, attended Aug 2026: Well paced day that matched description provided. Enjoyed it and would recommend to others.
• 5/5 from Paul Evans, attended Aug 2026: Excellent course delivered by Jon. Great premises, modern and high quality equipment and great delivery by Jon who packed an awful lot in to a very short period of time. Highly recommended as a taster into Horology or if you're just curious about how mechanical watches work.
• 5/5 from Ben, attended Jul 2026: Had a great day. Very interesting and Kyle's enthusiasm really shone through. Great for anyone who wants to just learn a little more about watches or as a first step to a possible profession. Highly recommend
• 5/5 from Loic Faure, attended Jul 2026: Really nice set-up, great teacher, very knowledgeable and likeable. Good experience. I have always wanted to take apart a watch and learn to put it back together so this was perfect.
• 5/5 from Diogo Goes Lanza, attended Jun 2026: I'm totally satisfied—I loved the course! The environment is great, and the instructor, Jon, is absolutely amazing. Thanks a lot, Jon—see you soon!
• 5/5 from Matt, attended Jun 2026: ​I recently attended Jon’s watchmaking taster course, and it was an absolutely phenomenal experience from start to finish. ​As someone with an engineering background, I wanted a hands-on experience that went beyond the surface level, and this course delivered exactly that. Over the course of the day (10am to 4pm), we completely stripped down and rebuilt a Seagull ST36 pocket watch movement. ​Jon is a fantastic teacher and an incredibly nice guy. He brings a decade of deep servicing and teaching experience to the bench, explaining the micro-mechanics clearly and patiently. He noted that it takes about two years to truly get comfortable with tweezers, and sitting at the bench, you immediately appreciate that level of skill. The bench setup itself was brilliant, featuring professional sit-stand desks, excellent ergonomics, high-quality loupes, and top-tier tools. ​The atmosphere in the workshop was focused yet highly supportive and welcoming. I managed to get the movement back together and running without dropping a single part or launching a spring across the room! Putting the watch onto the timegrapher at the end to see the mechanical feedback was a brilliant touch. ​If you want to move past watching videos online and actually get your hands into the gears under expert guidance, this course is worth every single penny of the £125. I absolutely loved it, want to do more, and highly recommend Jon to anyone interested in the craft
• 5/5 from Francois Meyer, attended Jun 2026: It's always been a far fetched dream to go into watch making or watch repairs. But Jon has made this a reality. A reality that has far surpassed my expectations. This class is fantastic for anyone who has never seen more than just the face and back of a watch. Yet, you take your own watch apart and put it back together and then test and refine your work. This class was everything and more than I expected. Would highly recommend it to any new/novice watch enthusiasts.
• 5/5 from Jennifer Murphy, attended Jun 2026: Really enjoyed it. Absolutely fantastic and interesting teacher, super knowledgeable and would recommend to anyone
• 5/5 from G McLeary, attended Jun 2026: I joined because I'm interested timepieces and I wanted another contribution to my ongoing continual personal development. During the training session I learned how to dismantle, reassemble and adjust a watch movement from a skilled teacher with a strong pedigree in watch making. And, I took away some useful advice on movement specifications.
• 5/5 from Panos Stravopodis, attended Jun 2026: Had a great time on Saturday, working with Kyle on an ST36. Great instructions and great vibes. The other attendees were very enthusiastic and I feel that this is a great option!
• 5/5 from Daniel, attended Jun 2026: Thank you so much to Jon for a brilliant Watchmaking Taster Day Workshop! It was an amazing experience from start to finish, and was given as a gift from family. Jon’s knowledge is incredibly extensive, and he teaches in a fun, clear, and engaging way that caters to all levels of experience. The tuition was excellent, delivered in a great setting with professional-level tools and equipment. Jon was friendly, patient, and supportive, and the course materials are excellent, including presentations and videos. He also kindly offered to share these with us after the workshop so we could continue learning. As a wheelchair user, I found the workshop to be fully accessible. The venue was easy to access, parking was convenient, and Jon was extremely helpful and accommodating throughout the day. I was able to use the workstation and all of the equipment without any issues or compromises, which I greatly appreciated. If you’re considering giving watchmaking a try, I can’t recommend this workshop highly enough. You’ll have a fantastic day, learn a huge amount, and leave wanting to come back for more advanced courses with Jon!
• 5/5 from Cyril Landy, attended Jun 2026: This class was so much more than a Taster in my opinion. Jon's knkowledge is incredible, and his passion for the industry AND for teaching is infectious. He is incredibly generous with his knowledge, and has found the perfect balance betwen theory and practice. I felt a great sense of pride when I put the balance wheel back in place and the watch started ticking right away; what a feeling! I cannot recommend this class enough, time just flew by.
• 5/5 from Arthur Littmann, attended Jun 2026: Jon was great, really fun day learning about the history of mechanical watch, and how to disassemble and reassemble a movement on our own.
• 5/5 from Connor Dobson, attended Jun 2026: Was a lot of fun, highly recommended
• 5/5 from Daniel Shinnick, attended Jun 2026: As I love collecting watches, my wife got this taster day for my birthday. It was great. I really enjoyed it. It was an eye opener of how much engineering goes in to a watch. Jon was great very enthusiastic you could tell he loved what he did. Love it great day.
• 5/5 from Henrik Kristensen, attended Jun 2026: Excellent beginner friendly class. We took apart and then assembled a movement and learned about the basics of watch making and maintenance. A thoroughly enjoyable day.
• 5/5 from Peter Iveson, attended Jun 2026: Loved it, the teacher was excellent and we learned loads! This was a really brilliant birthday present. I’m so glad I did it. Thank you.
• 5/5 from Juhani Taylor, attended Jun 2026: The class was so much fun! Jon is a great teacher and really engaging in how he explains every step of the process. Over the course of the class we disassembled, reassembled and serviced a handwound mechanical watch movement under Jon's guidance. At each step he explained what we were doing, why, and the history of that part - along with insights into how professional watchmakers would repair and adjust the components beyond the basic servicing we were doing. If you want to learn how watches really work and have some hands-on fun building one, this is the course for you!
• 5/5 from Ben Golant, attended Jun 2026: Jon provided a wonderfully absorbing introduction to the art and science of watchmaking. By guiding us through the process of disassembly and re-assembly of an automatic watch mechanism, we gained entry to the wonder of his profession. The studio, bench equipment and the watch tools are of the highest quality; the six hour session is managed expertly, leading up to the final ‘Aha!’ moment when the mechanism comes back to life. Very highly recommended.
• 5/5 from Bob Veitch, attended Jun 2026: Jon took the session today. His enthusiasm and knowledge is outstanding. We were given lots of background information as well as taking a moment apart and reassembling it. A great day. Recommend.
• 5/5 from David Burton, attended Jun 2026: Great fun and learnt a huge amount A lot makes more sense now Practical mostly bit with history and explanations of more complex processes
• 5/5 from Mahboob Alam, attended Jun 2026: Fantastic course , Jon was excellent! Loads of knowledge, really enjoyed with a relaxed atmosphere. Wish I could spend more time learning off Jon . Hopefully will come again , all the way from Leeds .
• 5/5 from Adam Whitbread, attended Jun 2026: Absolutely fantastic experience, Jon was approachable and very knowledgeable, he’s clearly very skilled and a master of his trade. The classroom layout was really nice, not too cramped and really well laid out working spaces.
• 5/5 from Ryan, attended Jun 2026: Jon was very welcoming and friendly at the beginning of the day. Kyle, who taught the workshop, was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and patient, and did a fantastic job of explaining all the concepts and talking us through the practical elements. The structure of the day and the supporting materials were great, and made the whole thing very enjoyable. No room for improvement!
• 5/5 from David James, attended Jun 2026: I really enjoyed this taster day. Jon was very knowledgeable and the day was structured well. Jon has definitely inspired me to take up watch making of some description.
• 5/5 from Peter Tilley, attended Jun 2026: An amazing day. Carl, our teacher not only gave us the technical detail we needed to take the watch apart and rebuild it (and get it working to a high standard) but gave us some history as to why the watch came about and it’s evolution to the present day. Also when one of us was a little behind he gave us one to one time to get us back on track and at the same time kept all the students interested, an excellent skill. Each desk was very well equipped with kit I could only dream of using, again everything was explained in detail which made using it easy. One of the best presents I have ever been given … thank you.
• 5/5 from Suzanne Ridgway, attended Jun 2026: We had Kyle for the watchmaking taster day. He was very knowledgable and an impressive teacher. I disassembled and rebuilt a watch and it still worked! It was a fantastic day and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the mechanics of a watch.
• 5/5 from Ryan Rollins, attended Jun 2026: Birthday gift for a partner, he was very pleased with the class. Very informative and a taster into watch making.
• 5/5 from Kristaan, attended Apr 2026: Excellent day. We were taught by Carl who was a clear enthusiast and seasoned professional. He explained everything in such clarity I had a real in-depth understanding of how a movement works. The practical and theory was balanced very well and by the end we had out watches on time graphers and I got to put my own one on to. Would highly recommend Thanks Kris
• 5/5 from Stephen Turner, attended Apr 2026: Kyle was a superb teacher. Full of knowledge and experience that he delivered in a pleasant and enthusiastic style. The course was an excellent mix of presentation, video and hands-on practical, dissembling a watch and re-assembling it, then testing quality and accuracy. In fact, I would argue it was the best course I’ve attended on any subject in the past several decades. Fellow students were excellent company, too.
• 5/5 from Nick Winterhalder, attended Apr 2026: Informative and practical introduction to mechanical watch operation. The day was great fun and is recommended for all watch lovers.
• 5/5 from Marcelo Pavel, attended Apr 2026: Jon was an amazing host! Really interesting day to really get to know how a watch is built. The class is very interactive, with a good balance of speaking and doing. Really reccomend it to everyone