CincyWatchShots x AWCI Build-a-Watch Class, Cincinnati

CincyWatchShots is running a special group project "Build-a-Watch" class hosted by @americanwatchmakers AWCI. We have a tentative date of Oct 17th for the class. Max class size is 12, and we have 3 slots currently open. If you're in the mid-west up up for a road trip to Cincinnati, head on over to the discord and go to the Build-a-Watch channel to get on the list. We are closing the sign up next month after our August meet so we can send the movement bridges out to @red5watchworks for engraving work to have CincyWatchShots 2026 1of12 engraved.

We are also coordinating with @mclemens02 and @plumierfoundation to have bespoke dials cut on a straight line engine or rose engine that YOU cut for your own watch. We haven't set a date yet for this but will likely be in September on a Saturday at Matt's shop in Cincinnati. Stay tuned for updates on our instagram account.

Watch case is 42mm. Movement is a manual wind 6497 from MOT model DB9 (ETA clone, still Swiss made) sapphire sandwich. Group pricing is $1,000 excluding the custom dial. We're looking at brass and fine silver options. With a price point $50-100.

The normal AWCI build-a-watch class link for the basic info: https://www.awci.com/buildawatch/

Discord link discord.gg/qZVTUJqPJ

I also had lasik and am now pretty far sighted, I personally find a 2.5-3x loupe isnt enough and need a 5-7.5x for most things. I completed my "build-a-watch" in 2023 with a 2.5x loupe. This is a large pocket watch movement and I will make sure you have appropriate loupes/magnification at the class. You would also have access to use digital and analog stereoscopes in the classroom for this activity. This class is setup for complete novices and rookies to have a successful experience at the end. You would do just fine.

I live in the Cincy tri-state and I’m seriously interested in this class. I’m also interested in one of the upcoming week long classes. Is the one day event essentially the same as the week long course but more compressed or are they distinctly different in focus? Thanks. Feel free to PM.

Hey buddy! Happy to respond here, it's good info for others to have. First off, HELLO!!! Always awesome connecting with local watch nerds. Please do yourself a favor and go hop on the discord chat with us and say hi. We would love to have you. Most of our discussion and planning happens over there.

Yes, the one day Build-a-Watch class is a super condensed version of the Watch100: Introduction to Watchmaking. Both cover the ETA 6497 movement but the week long class goes into theory in depth and every single step of disassembly, cleaning, adjustment, assembly, proper oiling, casing up, QC, timing, water resist is covered in full-fat context and practice. The one day Build-a-Watch, for lack of a better phrase, is to give inexperienced people a crash course and a feel good experience stumbling through the motions to leave with a running watch on their wrists and a feeling of accomplishment that they learned something new. The barrels are already complete and lubed, the pallet jewels are lubricated by staff while students take lunch break. I think the motion works are already installed... you get the picture.

Tl;dr. Do the Build-a-Watch with us if you want to have a fun experience and be part of a social gathering. Take the intro class if you want to get serious about learning watchmaking. Or take both like i did haha. I'm using this project as a very self serving exercise to get a guilloche dial to swap into my Build-a-Watch from 2023. (Pictured above: black dial, blue FKM strap)

Hope to see you around!
Sam

Thanks Sam. I believe I’m going to do the week long course.

Sounds good buddy, you'll learn a lot. Feel free to join us for the August meetup, we'll be in NKY at a private club. If you're not in the discord yet, thats where the event details are shared. Cheers