I’ve been a blacksmith since I was thirteen years old, and I was doing it full-time by twenty. In a world where ugly industrial machining dominates, hand-forging is an anachronism. It’s slow and demanding, but it creates something no machine ever could. The human hand creates a spirit that resonates with the human eye. When we surround ourselves with materials and craftsmanship that have accompanied our history, our lives become richer. This is the natural order of things.

The trendy push against materialism is a response to materials that should have never been considered, and it misses the mark. Creativity and the use of tools separate us from animals, and our tools become extensions of ourselves. They should be pleasing, and they should be treasured. Minimalism is only appealing in an environment of ugly things.

I became interested in wristwatches after seeing a promotional video from Rolex showing their process for manufacturing stainless steel cases. Their craftsmanship is undeniably excellent, but this video was tone-deaf. Robot arms moved flawlessly as an androgynous voice narrated. It had no soul.

I respect these brands. They make extraordinary products, but precision and durability can be had for fifty dollars. Their reputation and prices should demand artistry at every step. A watch, maybe more than any other tool, becomes an extension of the wearer. Something that is seen, felt, and depended-on constantly should be pleasing to the eye and hand on an instinctual level. It should make the wearer smile. I’ve been striving for the same feeling from chefs, woodcarvers, butchers, and others for a decade, but everyone checks the time.

I set out on what would become the most involved project of my life- hand forging watch cases with no industrial machining.

It has been wildly challenging in every way imaginable. It was six months before it ever left paper and pencil. I went through several iterations of the forging method before I ever tried one. There have been times when I've thought maybe a sledgehammer doesn't belong in a shop where things are measured in thousandths. 

This project has employed systems of partial differential equations to model thermal contraction, and it has also employed a 10 pound hammer. It has required a reinvention of the modern wristwatch, resulting in something totally unique.

I do not resent modern innovations in manufacturing. They have been used wherever they could improve the function of the timepiece. But they should not contribute to aesthetics. Our eyes have not evolved as quickly as our technology.

This project has captured a spirit that would never have been imparted to me in engineering school- that engineering, precision, and calculation can be used to make nice things. Everything doesn’t need to be 3D printed. It doesn't have to be about maximizing efficiency, profit, and inevitably, ugliness.

This is the purpose of engineering: to make things that make our lives better. To make things we enjoy. Not to make more gadgets that increase the market capitalizations of tech companies.

Every Wrought Timepiece is a one-off. I personally made it by hand. It does not contain plastic, anywhere. Every material and component was carefully chosen for quality and permanence. It was built around the absolute best quality movement I can source. It is not ultra-light. It is a refusal to sacrifice beauty for convenience. It is a small rebellion against the ugly.

I am dedicated to the preservation of the beauty we recognize by instinct. I hope everyone can find it in their life.

-WB