Skip to content

Cart

Your cart is empty

Article: Bespoke Timepieces

Bespoke Timepieces

Crafters pride themselves on the unique qualities of their work. John Beck McConnico, founder and owner of Bespoke Watch Projects, is an American watch designer and maker that is truly perfecting his craft. Discover the versatility and uniqueness of McConnico’s watches, with a closer look on this week’s blog. 

Bespoke Watch Projects makes watches out of Oakland, California, that are truly unique. Founder John Beck McConnico is a horologist, brand builder, designer, and visual artist, as well as the idea-man behind Bespoke. The relatively young company was started in 2013, and has designed unique timepieces for artists, entrepreneurs, collectors and alike. A strong believer in the power of collaboration and cross-pollination of creative ideas, McConnico built Bespoke Watch Projects to offer equal parts design, product, and service.


The Watches

The watches of Bespoke are American-assembled and designed, made with Swiss movements. The automatic models incorporate the 25-jewel Swiss ETA, Valanvron, or STP movements that are calibrated to an accuracy of 4-5 seconds per day. With these streamlined and reliable movements, McConnico can really get creative with his designs. 

Many of the watches are powered by a hybrid VK64 “mecha-quartz” movement, with a smooth sweeping hand and one-hour stopwatch functions. You will also find sapphire crystal on each watch, either domed or flat, with interior UV coating.


“A wristwatch is an extension of one’s personality—an emotional form of expression as well as a pragmatic one.”


Creativity at Its Finest

All of Bespoke Watch Projects’ pieces are extremely limited and creative. In fact, the designs are so limited, that once a series has run its course, it is highly unlikely for McConnico to replicate the watches again. Watch designs are inspired by their wearers, with unlikely materials and dial styles to match any personality.

Every timepiece is fully assembled and regulated by hand in the California studio, resulting in a unique horological heirloom. Many of the designs are also inspired by styles from earlier eras, with the chronograph style that includes a dial inspired from 60s and 70s, paired with modern influences.


Shop the full collection of Bespoke Watches, and others, on our website here.

Read more

The Disappearing Declaration: Preserving the Declaration of Independence - The Great Republic

The Disappearing Declaration: Preserving the Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence has survived for over 200 years, but not without its scars. From folds and fading to even a handprint in the lower left corner, this impressive manuscript is well-wo...

Read more
How the Civil War Really Ended - The Great Republic

How the Civil War Really Ended

Confederate General Robert E. Lee led his Army of Northern Virginia during the American Civil War, and on April 9, 1865, he surrendered. His surrender is commonly regarded as the end of the Civil W...

Read more

Blog posts

Vintage Staffordshire Plates from the Early 1900s - The Great Republic

Vintage Staffordshire Plates from the Early 1900s

New to our Colorado shop is a collection of blue and white vintage Staffordshire plates. Dating to the early 1900s, these beautiful plates have a really interesting design history.  These plates w...

Read more
Explore Revolutionary War History – Rare Prints, Books, Maps & More - The Great Republic
Revolutionary War Collectibles

Explore Revolutionary War History – Rare Prints, Books, Maps & More

Currently on display in our Colorado shop is an exhibit of American Revolutionary War historical prints, flags, books, and maps. This collection offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of Revoluti...

Read more
Fan of Flags? Check Out this 1837 Engraving - The Great Republic
19th Century Prints

Fan of Flags? Check Out this 1837 Engraving

If you find yourself fascinated with the history and design of particular flags, this 1837 hand-colored engraving of “The Flags of the Principal Nations of the World.” will be the perfect addition ...

Read more
Back to the top