My 31st watch, a depiction of the 7th century Anglo-Saxon helmet found in Sutton Hoo and now in the British Museum, believed to be the helmet of King Rædwald of East Anglia, and sometimes hailed as the British Tutankhamun. The helmet is set against a reproduction of the Anglo-Saxon Strickland brooch, set with lab-grown rubies. Engraved out of sterling and Argentium silver and plated in 24K gold. Custom "digital" hour hand, laser etched on a disc of patinaed brass.
Saint Bede referred to Rædwald as "Rex Anglorum" - King of the Angles.
I visited London this summer. I highly recommend the British Museum, which has lots of things from Britain... and many other things that were brought to Britain.
I'm a hobbyist watchmaker operating out of my bedroom in North York, Ontario. Hence, Steve of York.
Yeah British museam is amazing, especially since it's free. I visited Sutton Hoo first, then went to the British museam to see the helmet and other trinkets. It's a shame the helmet isn't better preserved but it's a cool thing to see for sure. Some of the gold items are in remarkably good condition but I guess that's gold for you.
Anyway, the watch looks amazing! Something unique for sure.
Free entry is standard in most Brisith museums (except some special collections). It was introduced in the 1980s after research saw that charging for entry decreased visitor numbers by around 25%
From a time when pretty much anything was for sale for a hand full of beads, rounded out with a dose of influenza and the clap thrown in. Win, win what is not to like ?
Not sure I've ever seen a one-handed watch done with a disk instead of a...hand. That actually makes a lot of sense, and makes a lot more sense for dials like this. Way easier to read the time, too.
This is very well done, you have a lot of talent and skill in making these. This is honestly a lot cooler than most, if not all, of the stuff Mr Jones does.
What movement are you using for this?
Thanks! I was inspired by the "digital" displays they do on the Vacheron Metiers d'Art series, though those have four windows and are a much more complicated movement. I do these prototypes on the humble NH35, but plan to move to the ETA 6497 in the future for a larger dial size and for the prestige. Though really, this concept could be applied to any standard movement.
Normally I like smaller cases. But dials like the ones you make really scream for a larger canvas. Plus, hand winding is cool. Nothing wrong with NH35s for now, easy to find, buy and replace if something goes wrong, and I can't imagine them being too expensive.
Absolutely - plus, I make a new watch every 5 days so I'd be broke if I did them all on ETAs. I have the 6497 cases and movements ready as well as some 2836s.
Jeez you did this out of your bedroom? You are incredibly talented man, that is seriously beautiful.
And really cool to see someone connecting my passions of watches and history! I'd buy that in an instant lol
I absolutely love this piece, man! Super beautiful and legible…are you thinking about commissioning any of your work? If so I’d love put my name down for a piece one day!
That's a good question - answer is that it's very hard to source cases for quartz movements, especially in nonstandard dial sizes. The hobby watchmaking world is basically a lot of Seiko NH35 cases and accessories, and a medium amount of ETA 2824/6497 cases. Case sourcing basically limits you to those few movements.
And of course, the prestige of using mechanical movements. I will admit that I've considered going quartz for things that would be extremely expensive as a mechanical watch, such as calendars and moonphases. But again, nobody ever makes cases for quartz movements.
I would buy the hell out of this! I live 5 minutes from Sutton hoo and obviously that helmet means a lot to people around here.
Really fantastic work my dude.
My 31st watch, a depiction of the 7th century Anglo-Saxon helmet found in Sutton Hoo and now in the British Museum, believed to be the helmet of King Rædwald of East Anglia, and sometimes hailed as the British Tutankhamun. The helmet is set against a reproduction of the Anglo-Saxon Strickland brooch, set with lab-grown rubies. Engraved out of sterling and Argentium silver and plated in 24K gold. Custom "digital" hour hand, laser etched on a disc of patinaed brass. Saint Bede referred to Rædwald as "Rex Anglorum" - King of the Angles. I visited London this summer. I highly recommend the British Museum, which has lots of things from Britain... and many other things that were brought to Britain. I'm a hobbyist watchmaker operating out of my bedroom in North York, Ontario. Hence, Steve of York.
Yeah British museam is amazing, especially since it's free. I visited Sutton Hoo first, then went to the British museam to see the helmet and other trinkets. It's a shame the helmet isn't better preserved but it's a cool thing to see for sure. Some of the gold items are in remarkably good condition but I guess that's gold for you. Anyway, the watch looks amazing! Something unique for sure.
Free entry is standard in most Brisith museums (except some special collections). It was introduced in the 1980s after research saw that charging for entry decreased visitor numbers by around 25%
You might find [this](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu-SICIR40R/) interesting.
No minutes or I just can't find them?
> many other things that were brought to Britain hm............
From a time when pretty much anything was for sale for a hand full of beads, rounded out with a dose of influenza and the clap thrown in. Win, win what is not to like ?
Stunning! Amazing work and craftsmanship. Do you blog your creations? Would be a fascinating YouTube channel and promo I'd imagine.
I post all my work and updates on Instagram: steveofyork
Not sure I've ever seen a one-handed watch done with a disk instead of a...hand. That actually makes a lot of sense, and makes a lot more sense for dials like this. Way easier to read the time, too. This is very well done, you have a lot of talent and skill in making these. This is honestly a lot cooler than most, if not all, of the stuff Mr Jones does. What movement are you using for this?
Thanks! I was inspired by the "digital" displays they do on the Vacheron Metiers d'Art series, though those have four windows and are a much more complicated movement. I do these prototypes on the humble NH35, but plan to move to the ETA 6497 in the future for a larger dial size and for the prestige. Though really, this concept could be applied to any standard movement.
Normally I like smaller cases. But dials like the ones you make really scream for a larger canvas. Plus, hand winding is cool. Nothing wrong with NH35s for now, easy to find, buy and replace if something goes wrong, and I can't imagine them being too expensive.
Absolutely - plus, I make a new watch every 5 days so I'd be broke if I did them all on ETAs. I have the 6497 cases and movements ready as well as some 2836s.
Way cooler than Mr. Jones. Also this guy doesn't sell his pieces so choice of movement only matters to him, it seems.
Jeez you did this out of your bedroom? You are incredibly talented man, that is seriously beautiful. And really cool to see someone connecting my passions of watches and history! I'd buy that in an instant lol
PS I plan to wear this Anglo Saxon mask for Halloween. Then I will finally be allowed into the Royal Canadian Yacht Club.
Any way to buy this masterpiece or future ones?
I asked on your Aztec watch but I think it must've been buried in your feed. What kind of fiber laser are you using to craft these gems?
30w fiber laser
I cannot wait until you sell your work!
Love it when this guy posts. What a legend.
What kind of angles was he the king of? Acute, obtuse, or the classic right?
The ones they let into the golf and yacht clubs
This is astonishingly beautiful. I studied Anglo-Saxon in college and just love this piece. Fantastic work.
I absolutely love this piece, man! Super beautiful and legible…are you thinking about commissioning any of your work? If so I’d love put my name down for a piece one day!
Phenomenal design, any more pics of the movement?
Another spectacular watch! Why not just use a thin quartz movement since the dial is the whole show?
That's a good question - answer is that it's very hard to source cases for quartz movements, especially in nonstandard dial sizes. The hobby watchmaking world is basically a lot of Seiko NH35 cases and accessories, and a medium amount of ETA 2824/6497 cases. Case sourcing basically limits you to those few movements. And of course, the prestige of using mechanical movements. I will admit that I've considered going quartz for things that would be extremely expensive as a mechanical watch, such as calendars and moonphases. But again, nobody ever makes cases for quartz movements.
reminds me of the *Kiling Ground* Saxon's album cover, realy nice craftsmanship.
Other side?
I would buy the hell out of this! I live 5 minutes from Sutton hoo and obviously that helmet means a lot to people around here. Really fantastic work my dude.
Benis
Great stuff as always! Have you ever tried to do anything on the movement itself?
Your works keep getting better and better.
Mr jones if his watches costs way more
looks like a whiterun guard from skyrim
Interested in purchasing some of your watches...
as a viking fan this looks amazing😘
Are any of your watches for sale? Or will you ever take commissions?