I've always been drawn to watches—not just the names on the dial, but the mechanisms inside them, the proportions of a case, the feel of a bracelet, and the small details that give a watch its personality. Eventually, admiring them wasn't enough. I wanted to understand how they worked and learn to assemble one myself.
What began as an experiment at my workbench turned into evenings spent learning about automatic movements, dial and hand fitting, cases, stems, crowns and bracelets. Some projects came together beautifully. Others were frustrating, and a few had to be taken apart and started again. Every build taught me something.
That learning process became AK Timepieces: a small, independent watch project built around hands-on assembly, thoughtful component selection and a genuine enthusiasm for mechanical watches.
My first builds were about curiosity and practice. I experimented with different cases, movements and dial combinations, discovering that the smallest details—from the fit of a stem to the alignment of a dial—can make the difference between a watch that looks good and one that works well.
Not every inexpensive part turned out to be a bargain. Movement problems, compatibility issues and rework pushed me to become more selective. Today, dependable mechanical movements and components that work well together matter more to me than chasing the lowest price.
AP001, an early white-dial octagonal design, became the first watch I sold. Later, AK003—the all-black diver—became the first completed watch sold under the AK name. Those milestones showed that this could become more than a project on my bench.
AK Timepieces is intentionally small. My goal isn't to pretend to be a large manufacturer. It's to offer a few carefully assembled watches, document the individual builds, improve with experience, and gradually develop original design ideas as the project grows.
Every watch begins with an idea—sometimes a classic field-watch dial, sometimes a bold integrated case or a clean, black diver. I choose sourced components, assemble the watch by hand in New York, and spend time evaluating its winding, timekeeping, power reserve and everyday wear before offering a completed piece for sale.
I source cases, dials, straps and movements from suppliers. I don't manufacture those components myself. What makes a watch mine is the combination of parts I select, the hands-on assembly, and the time I spend checking the finished piece. I photograph the watches I actually build so buyers can see what they're purchasing.
I want someone who buys an AK watch to know there's a real person behind it—someone who built it, learned from the process, and is proud to put the AK signature on the dial. A few thoughtfully made watches each month would be a meaningful success.
Clear movement descriptions, accurate watch photography and transparent details about the individual builds.
Careful component fitting and practical attention to how each watch looks, functions and wears.
I evaluate winding, timekeeping, power reserve and comfort on the wrist, and I use what I learn to improve my next build.
Discover the current watches, browse their detail galleries and follow the work in progress.
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