JON THE WATCH | studio 161

jonthewatch.co.uk
jon@jonthewatch.co.uk
ig: jonthewatch
07476 913 284

For over 35 years I have been an engineer of one kind or another. Blacksmith, tinsmith, welder, and fabricator from spiral staircases to bomb-proof window frames in the House of Commons, and then I eventually found my home in watchmaking.

I trained for two years at Epping Forest Horology Centre (EFHC) and spent many hours in my home workshop furthering my knowledge and experience with more esoteric and complicated watches. Four years ago, I wrote and started to teach complete beginners to watchmaking in a structured weekly evening class at a horological centre in Essex. I then went on to write a second-year course, which is a linear progression from the first-year course, focussing on automatic and chronograph watches, as well as precision repairs such as replacing jewels, and balance staffs, using a watchmaker lathe to bore and re-bush worn pivot and arbor holes, dynamic and static poising of the balance, amongst many other skills, hints, tips and techniques you just won't find online! 

Two years ago, I created the London School of Watchmaking at Wimbledon Art Studios in South London to allow anyone who wanted to learn the theoretical and practical aspects of watchmaking as well as ultimately being able to service their watches. All abilities are catered for from complete novices to professional watchmakers who want to brush up on their technical skills and also their theoretical understanding.

Both the first and second-year courses that I wrote are taught in a small class of up to six students in the evenings, in a well-equipped watchmaking workshop. The first-year evening lessons are also being taught online for anyone who can’t get to the workshop and is somewhere else in the world.

Bespoke tuition is also catered, which I have provided to established watch companies such as Christopher Ward Watches, Mr Jones Watches, Camden Watch Company and WTC Watch Repairs Ltd, to name a few.

Regular weekend taster days are also being held in my well-equipped workshop with state-of-the-art tools and equipment.

I not only teach watchmaking but also service and repair all types of modern and vintage watches of all sizes, from simple hand-wound mechanicals to more complicated chronographs, including quartz watches. I specialise in breathing life and love back into vintage Rolex and Omega watches, including watches that have suffered serious water damage to the movement, dial, and hands.

I believe watchmaking is 'love made visible'.