A wearable sundial for ancient timekeeping.

Overview

This project explores what happens when an ancient method of timekeeping is translated into a modern, wearable object. The result is a fully machined brass watch that tells time using a sundial, requiring sunlight, alignment, and active user engagement.

Rather than prioritizing precision or convenience, the watch embraces limitation. It only works under the right conditions, turning something as passive as checking the time into a deliberate interaction with the environment. The goal was not to compete with modern watches, but to create an object makes telling the time slower, more physical, and more aware of the environment.

The Object

The watch is machined entirely from a solid block of brass and integrates a foldable gnomon, engraved hourlines, and a compass and level to assist with alignment. Its scale is intentionally larger than a typical watch, giving it a sense of weight and presence on the wrist.

The face is bead blasted to reduce reflectivity and improve shadow readability, while the sides are polished to create a strong contrast between functional and aesthetic surfaces. Every detail, from the thickness of the strap to the tactility of the finish, was designed to make the object feel substantial and intentional.

At first glance, most people assume the watch was cast. The smooth transitions and curved surfaces suggest complex tooling or molding processes. In reality, the entire object is machined using only a lathe and mill. Every curve is generated through a series of flat cuts and tapers at carefully chosen angles.

This creates a disconnect between how the object looks and how it is actually made. The complexity is not in the tools, but in the sequencing. Each cut depends on the previous one, and the final form only emerges after a precise series of operations.

Designing Through Process

One of the core challenges of this project was learning to design for manufacturing rather than independently from it. Because I was limited by the lathe and mill, I had to think in terms of rotational geometry and tool access. The shape of the watch heavily influenced on what could physically be made.

To manage this, I developed a detailed operations sequence early on. This became a roadmap for the entire project, forcing me to visualize how a raw cylinder of brass would gradually transform into the final form. Instead of adding geometry, I was constantly thinking about what material to remove and in what order.

Precision & Iteration

As fabrication progressed, the project became an exercise in precision. Critical components, such as press fits for the compass and level, pin tolerances for the hinge, and alignment of the gnomon, required tight dimensional control. Small errors could compromise the entire assembly, especially toward the end of the process.

I ran multiple test pieces to dial in fits, working with tolerances on the order of thousandths of an inch. Many operations also required small tools with a high risk of failure, reinforcing the need for careful setup and patience.

The Gnomon

The gnomon became one of the most complex elements of the design. I wanted it to fold down to prevent damage during wear, which introduced the challenge of designing a hinge at a very small scale. This required sourcing and sizing pins, testing hole diameters, and balancing durability with manufacturability. The final solution integrates seamlessly into the watch body, maintaining the clean form while adding a functional element.

Tooling & Jigs

A significant portion of the project involved designing custom setups rather than cutting the part directly. I created jigs to hold the watch in specific orientations, one to engrave hourlines off-center, and another to protect finished surfaces during bead blasting. These setups were essential for achieving the final geometry and highlighted how much of machining is about preparation rather than cutting.

Reflection

This project fundamentally changed how I think about making. What appears complex is often the result of simple operations combined thoughtfully. The challenge lies in sequencing, visualization, and execution, not just design.

Spending hours in the shop, often focused on a single step, made progress feel slow but meaningful. Each completed operation brought the object closer to reality, and that incremental process became one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.