Over the last several months, I’ve been slowly working my way into the world of watchmaking and repair. It started as a curiosity. I wanted to understand how something so small could be so precise. And now I’m learning just how much there is to it—mechanical movement, finishing, hands, case alignment, tolerances, materials, tools, mistakes. A lot of mistakes.

I’m not taking any courses yet, just reading, watching, and practicing. Some of the early work has been with modding existing Seiko movements and cases. I’ve also started tinkering with the Seagull ST1701 as a base for a thinner, dress-style build in bronze. That one’s taking shape slowly, but I’ve got a clear direction. I’m calling it The Magnolia Hour—the first watch in a series I hope to make under a small personal project I’ve named Magnolia.

This isn’t a business. I’m not trying to turn it into anything more than a space to learn and build. I just wanted to post an update in case you’ve seen parts of this show up on my site or social media and wondered what it was. There’s something deeply satisfying about working with your hands, especially when the process rewards patience and precision.

I’ll post more as things progress, especially once The Magnolia Hour is fully built. If you’re into this sort of thing or have resources you’ve found helpful, feel free to reach out.