Make time - build your own watch

Make time to join Will Acworth for three absorbing days to step into the fascinating world of watchmaking, working on either manual or automatic wind watches, depending on your experience.

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During this hands-on course, you will be introduced to specialised watchmaking tools, learning to prepare & maintain them properly and practise the fine motor skills needed to work on a movement.

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You will learn about all the watch systems – winding, setting, gear train, mainspring, escapement and balance wheel and how to fit the case, mount the dial and align the hands with care and precision. Gaining an understanding of how a watch works will help make sense of each step, allowing you to apply these skills in the future.

Throughout your journey, you will develop good workspace habits and watchmaking discipline. By the end of the course you will be the proud owner of a beautiful timepiece you have built yourself.

For our 2026 courses, you will choose the style of your manual wind or automatic watch from a supplied list before the course, provided you book in time. During the course, you will take it apart, learn how it works, reassemble, oil and regulate it.

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​10-12 April 2026 - beginner level

Aimed at those with little or no experience, this course uses manual wind watches with Seagull ST36 movements (similar to first & third photo). You will learn how each part works and perform simple regulation, gaining a strong foundation in watchmaking.

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​9-11 October 2026 - intermediate level

For those who have completed the beginner course in Wernog Wood and practised since, this course uses automatic watches with Seiko NH35 movements (second photo). Building upon your existing skills, you will explore the automatic and date systems in addition to assembling and regulating your watch.

£395 - Tuition fees​

Approx material costs for beginners course as prices fluctuate

£75 for the complete manual wind ST36 watch (inclusive of strap similar to first photo), or you can buy one yourself from a provided shortlist

£75 for comprehensive starter tool kit for you to keep​

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Approx material costs  for intermediate course as prices fluctuate

£100 for the complete automatic NH35 watch (inclusive of strap similar to second photo). Or you can buy one yourself from a provided shortlist.

£25 for additional tools. Please bring all tools from the beginners course.

Material costs will be payable directly to the tutor ​

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Tea, coffee and tasty lunch included in your course price 

We also offer accommodation & evening meals​

Click here to see what we offer​

This course is aimed at adults, aged 18yrs + and is suitable for beginners to those with experience

Please be sure to read terms & conditions before you book

Will Acworth trained as a mechanical engineer and now manages complex international engineering projects.

From a young age, Will spent countless hours with his grandfather repairing clocks of every variety, from elegant carriage and antique clocks, to the church clock by which the community kept their time.

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Over the years, Will's interest has shifted to the intricate mechanics of wrist watches. He repairs and restores classic and collectable watches, carefully disassembling, cleaning, replacing and even remaking missing components, returning them to their former accuracy.