Craig & Rebecca Struthers

Watchmaker

©Jonny Wilson

©Andy Pilsbury

©Asia Werbel

The horological historians

Rebecca is the first UK watchmaker to get a PhD in horology
They restore vintage and antique watches as well as making their own
Some of their watches can take up to three years to make

Walking into Craig and Rebecca Struthers's workshop feels like stepping back a century in the history of horology. At the turn of the 20th century, some 30,000 people worked in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter; now, only a few hundred remain. Rebecca and Craig met in 2004 whilst training as watchmakers at the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design. Between them they have qualified in watchmaking, jewellery making, silversmithing, fine art, gemology and the history of design. Together, they create a fusion between traditional fine craftsmanship and 21st century technology. Their first watch, Stella, won a Design Innovation Award for groundbreaking design in platinum and a Commendation from the Goldsmiths’ Craft and Design Council.

Interview

©Andy Pilsbury

©Jonny Wilson

How did you learn the art of your craft?: We both worked with watch restorer Steven Hale; his team are masters. They taught us the finer details of precision watchmaking and excellence as well as knowing when to restore and when not to.
Has anyone else left a mark on your work?: Craig: After I graduated, a guy called Ray would visit me each week in my basement workshop. He was a chronometer maker at Mercer’s and he would share his insights from 60 years in the trade. Sadly, he is no longer with us, but we name all our tools like members of staff and our first lathe was named ‘Ray’.
What inspires you?: Some of the most beautiful watches ever made date back to the 1920s and 1930s, so we look back to look forward. Mass produced watches are clones of each other. By using traditional techniques and hand finishing, we give every watch we create its own unique character.
Can your recount a particularly memorable moment in your career?: Receiving commissions for our first in-house movement was an incredible moment. It gave us the support and reassurance we needed to realise our dream. It’s been a huge journey, one we’re still on, but we feel very fortunate to have some incredibly supportive clients who enable us to do what we love.

Craig & Rebecca Struthers are master artisans: they began their career in 2003 and they started teaching in 2017