About Me

When people ask me how I fell into the rabbit hole of horology, I usually laugh and tell them it wasn’t exactly planned. Like many watch enthusiasts, my journey began with a single timepiece that changed everything – though in my case, it wasn’t a prestigious Swiss icon or a vintage treasure. It was actually a well-worn Seiko 5 that my grandfather passed down to me during my college years, complete with a scratched crystal and a bracelet that had seen better days.

What struck me wasn’t the watch’s monetary value, but the stories it carried. My grandfather told me about wearing it during his engineering career, how it kept accurate time through decades of daily wear, and how he’d wind it religiously every morning as part of his routine. That simple ritual, that connection between human habit and mechanical precision, sparked something in me that has only grown stronger over the years.

The Early Years: Learning Through Curiosity

My fascination with watches began as pure curiosity about the engineering marvel ticking away on my wrist. I found myself wondering how thousands of tiny components could work together so precisely, how manufacturers achieved different complications, and why some movements commanded such respect while others were dismissed. This led me down countless internet forums, into dusty horological texts, and eventually to my first watch repair course at a local community college.

Those early years were filled with more questions than answers. I remember spending hours trying to understand the difference between various escapement designs, why certain jewel counts mattered more than others, and how atmospheric pressure could affect a watch’s accuracy. I made plenty of mistakes along the way – like the time I confidently adjusted the regulation on a friend’s vintage Omega, only to send it running fast by several minutes per day. These experiences taught me humility and the importance of proper technique over enthusiasm.

The real turning point came when I started working part-time at a local watch repair shop during graduate school. The master watchmaker there, an old-school craftsman named Heinrich who had trained in Switzerland decades earlier, became an unwitting mentor. He taught me to appreciate the subtle differences between movements, to recognize quality finishing when I saw it, and most importantly, to approach each timepiece with respect for the craftsmanship it represented.

Developing Expertise Through Hands-On Experience

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of examining hundreds of timepieces across all price ranges and complications. From entry-level quartz movements to perpetual calendars worth more than most people’s cars, each watch has taught me something new about engineering, design philosophy, or manufacturing techniques. This hands-on experience has been invaluable in developing what I hope is a balanced perspective on the industry.

One area that particularly fascinated me was the evolution of materials in modern watchmaking. I spent considerable time researching and testing silicon components, studying how these new materials perform compared to traditional steel parts. The durability studies I conducted over several years revealed interesting patterns about how different materials age under various conditions, findings that have influenced my understanding of long-term watch ownership.

My interest in shock resistance testing began somewhat accidentally when I started wearing sports watches during outdoor activities. I became curious about the real-world performance of various shock protection systems, leading me to conduct informal tests comparing manufacturer specifications with actual performance. These experiences taught me to be skeptical of marketing claims and to value empirical evidence over theoretical specifications.

The technical aspects of regulation and timing adjustment became another area of focus after I noticed significant variations in how different watches performed across various positions. This led to extensive research into factory regulation methods and the factors that influence daily accuracy. Understanding these nuances has helped me appreciate why some watches perform consistently while others show position-dependent variations.

The Philosophy Behind Horology Uncased

When I started Horology Uncased, my goal was simple: create the kind of watch content I wished had existed when I was beginning my journey. Too much online watch discussion seemed to focus on brand prestige, investment potential, or superficial aesthetics while ignoring the fascinating technical details that make these machines truly remarkable.

I wanted to explore the engineering decisions behind different complications, examine how manufacturing techniques affect long-term durability, and investigate whether common beliefs in the watch community actually held up under scrutiny. This approach has led to some surprising discoveries, like finding that certain “inferior” movements actually outperformed their prestigious counterparts in specific metrics, or learning that some widely accepted maintenance intervals were unnecessarily conservative.

The blog’s name reflects my belief that the most interesting aspects of watchmaking often happen behind the scenes – in the design decisions that prioritize function over flash, in the manufacturing techniques that ensure reliability over decades, and in the subtle improvements that enhance user experience without fanfare. These “uncased” elements of horology deserve attention alongside the more visible aspects that typically dominate discussions.

Research Methodology and Approach

My approach to watch analysis has always emphasized long-term observation over first impressions. When examining a new timepiece or testing a particular theory, I believe in extended evaluation periods that reveal performance characteristics which might not be apparent during brief encounters. This methodology has sometimes led to conclusions that differ from conventional wisdom, but I’ve found that time tends to reveal truths that initial enthusiasm might obscure.

For technical topics, I rely on a combination of primary sources, hands-on experimentation, and consultation with industry professionals. When discussing movement decoration, for example, I examine actual movements under magnification, research historical finishing techniques, and speak with working watchmakers about the practical implications of different approaches. This multi-faceted methodology helps ensure that my conclusions are grounded in verifiable reality rather than speculation.

The testing protocols I’ve developed for various watch characteristics have evolved through trial and error. Early attempts at systematic evaluation often revealed the complexity of isolating individual variables in real-world conditions. Learning to design meaningful tests while acknowledging their limitations has become an important part of my analytical process.

Building Expertise Across Price Ranges

One aspect of my watch journey that I’m particularly proud of is maintaining curiosity about timepieces across all price ranges. While it’s easy to focus exclusively on prestigious Swiss manufactures, I’ve found tremendous value in studying everything from micro-brand innovations to high-quality quartz movements. Some of my most interesting discoveries have come from examining how smaller manufacturers achieve impressive results with limited budgets.

This broad perspective has helped me develop what I believe is a more nuanced understanding of value in watchmaking. I’ve learned to appreciate technical excellence regardless of brand prestige, to recognize when premium pricing reflects genuine quality improvements versus marketing positioning, and to identify emerging trends before they become mainstream talking points.

My experience with entry-level luxury watches has been particularly educational. By studying how established manufacturers adapt their techniques for more accessible price points, I’ve gained insights into which aspects of high-end watchmaking truly matter for daily use versus those that primarily serve as status symbols or technical showcases.

The Evolution of Watch Collecting Perspectives

My own collecting journey has evolved significantly over the years, moving from initial focus on prestigious names toward appreciation for technical innovation and manufacturing excellence regardless of brand heritage. This shift in perspective has influenced how I approach watch analysis, prioritizing objective evaluation criteria over subjective brand associations.

I’ve become particularly interested in how design languages evolve while maintaining core brand identity. Studying how manufacturers like Rolex have adapted their aesthetic principles across decades of changing fashions has revealed sophisticated approaches to balancing tradition with innovation. These observations have shaped my understanding of successful product development in luxury goods.

The experience of living with various watches over extended periods has taught me to value different characteristics than those that initially attract attention. Comfort, reliability, and ease of use often prove more important for daily satisfaction than the technical complications or aesthetic details that might dominate initial purchasing decisions.

Looking Forward: Continuing Education in Horology

Despite years of study and hands-on experience, I remain acutely aware of how much more there is to learn about watchmaking. The industry continues evolving with new materials, manufacturing techniques, and design approaches that challenge established assumptions about what makes a great timepiece.

Current developments in silicon technology, new approaches to shock resistance, and innovations in manufacturing precision all represent areas where continued research and testing will be necessary to understand their long-term implications. I’m particularly interested in how these technical advances will influence the broader market and whether they’ll democratize access to previously exclusive features.

My goal with Horology Uncased remains unchanged: providing thoughtful, research-based analysis that helps readers develop their own informed perspectives on watchmaking. Whether someone is considering their first luxury timepiece or adding to an established collection, I hope my experiences and research can contribute to more satisfying decisions and deeper appreciation for these remarkable mechanical achievements.

The watch industry’s combination of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology continues to fascinate me. Each new timepiece represents countless design decisions, manufacturing choices, and technical compromises that reflect broader philosophies about precision, durability, and human interaction with mechanical objects. Understanding these decisions and their implications remains an endlessly engaging pursuit that I’m grateful to share with fellow enthusiasts through Horology Uncased.