Craig & Rebecca Struthers - Watchmakers
Some crafts are shaped by patience.
Craig and Rebecca Struthers are watchmakers working from a restored Victorian mill in Leek. Drawing on heritage techniques, vintage machinery and years of study, they make watches with a deep respect for the craft. They spoke about workshop life, favourite tools and the quiet discipline of making by hand.
Tell us about your work.
We’re artisanal watchmakers and use centuries old techniques using vintage and heritage equipment in our workshops to create pretty much every part of a watch. We also collaborate externally to bring in some modern technology too. Collaboration is a really important part of our approach. It takes around 10 years to train a master watchmaker so working with other experts in their respective fields allows us to draw on the same level of skill across a huge range of disciplines from enamelling and engraving to machining and materials science.
How would you describe your workshop?
Our workshop is in Leek on the border with the Peak District, England. It’s in an area that is, ironically, known as "Staffordshire’s little Switzerland" although we didn’t realise that until after we’d moved here. We’re based in a restored Victorian textile mill and our workshops themselves are pretty small. One of the perks of making small things is that the machines are small too so you don't need much room!
What is a usual day in the workshop for you?
As a small business our day varies hugely. Typically I (Rebecca) tackle emails first before getting stuck into practical work. I generally work on parts finishing, research and development, and wheel cutting. Craig prefers building watches from the parts I finish which covers most of the very fiddly work. Our exchange for me managing the emails is that Craig’s responsible for phone calls.
How do you best like to work? Music, silence?
For me it depends on what I’m doing. When I write I need silence but when I’m watchmaking I love music. We always have music on in the workshop. Craig can’t work without music no matter what it is he’s doing.
What has been the most interesting project you’ve worked on?
Every watch we make is unique so they’re all really interesting in their own ways. We have some fascinating clients too. Our favourite builds are the ones where clients give us a loose steer based on what styles they like then leave us to test our boundaries and create something that pushes us.
Who or what inspired you when starting your career?
We started long enough ago that the independent watchmaking scene wasn’t really a thing back then. I can’t think of a single visible female watchmaker I came across during my training. The subject was what really inspired me, you’ll never see or learn everything there is to know. We learn something new every day and every new project brings challenges that give you the opportunity to improve at your craft.
Do any themes, inspirations, or concepts drift into your work?
We look back to look forwards, so heritage designs and styles are hugely influential to us. We started our training as restorers which gives you an amazing memory back of 500 years of watch design. We can pick and choose aesthetic of technical details we’ve come across before and really loved, then recreate or reference them in our own way to make our own adapted and improved version.
What is your favourite tool to use?
Mine is our littlest lathe which is a 6mm Lorch made in around 1950. She’s German and a cute little thing so we’ve called her Maus (as in Mouse) which is engraved into a brass name plague on her base. Craig’s is an 8mm A&Z lathe from the 1970s which arrived with her twin that was in parts. They’re both German too, so we called her Heidi and her sister, which we converted into a wheel cutting lathe, we called Helga.
Do you have a quote or motto that you say to yourself?
Craig’s is “do something, do nothing”, as in when you’re faced with a challenge or something that makes you nervous you can either shy away or go for it, and you usually end up regretting the things you don't give a go. I suffer from anxiety so mine is more a mantra around not worrying about things that haven’t happened or are out of your control.
Do you have any rules or rituals when working?
Craig and his morning coffee is definitely one! I’m a chain coffee drinker so that’s less of a ritual and more of a way of life. Archie’s (our dog) is his treat shelf. He loves coming to work with us and races straight to his treat shelf as soon as we open the door. He won’t settle until he’s had at least one, preferably several!
What advice do you have for another maker?