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Memoria Technica

Horological Conservation and Bespoke Services. Based in Seattle, Washington.

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August 3, 2018 4288 × 2848 in Papier-mâché that barks : Woof ! Crack ! Woops…

This layer goes of as chips of glue through which some pigment has migrated but no hair comes off

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Memoria Technica Workshop

To book an appointment please send an email to bcox@mechanicalcurios.com

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Meet my valentine, the re-feathered bird from yesterday’s post. The feathers are a mix of new and original. Swipe through to see the shell covering the internal mechanism before feathering and the process of blending new feathers on the tail and body. The bright red were salvaged from the bird when it arrived and make up the chest, upper back, and head. I was also able to save the original red glass eyes. He’s pretty handsome, no? #valentine #craft #workwithyourhands . . . . . . #singingbird #horology #memoriatechnica #automaton #mechanism #bird

Rebuilding a singing bird today. Swipe through to see the action of the head rotation, beak movement, and a before photo. Very careful cleaning, a number of new parts and springs, a new beak and more. Now for the shell and feathering! #workwithyourhands . . . . . #antiquarianhorologist #memoriatechnica #craft #singingbird #automaton #horology

I thought I’d share in this #10yearchallenge, as it has made me reflect on the last ten years of my work. I officially started my journey into horology in 2008 when I enrolled in watchmaking school - with the grand ambition of making my own mechanical automata. Pictured top left is my whimsical student watch (never before shown publicly - as there is a lot I would change about it). I made the ratchet wheel, all the bridges, the hairspring, winding stem, click, and pallet staff. I eventually made a balance cock too - not shown here. It has foliate detail, an acorn, and even a little bird. Top right is me in watchmaking school at my bench in my scholarship photo for @westdeancollege. Bottom left is Cochlea, (Snail) my first all mechanical handmade automaton, which went on display in 2018 @madmuseum. It was a tremendous amount of work and I am ever thankful for the guidance and assistance of my colleague/mentor master goldsmith and watchmaker Phillip Peck. Bottom right is me in my own workshop Memoria Technica, which is a dream come true. It’s really so amazing to look back at the last 10 years and see the proof of hard work come to fruition. I am so grateful for all of the support I have received and for all of the interest in my work. If you ever have doubts when things get tough, take it from Teddy Roosevelt, “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty...I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.” I aspire to live my life well. Thank you for all the love and support ♥️ #gratitude #craft #memoriatechnica . . . . . . #watchmaker #clockmaker #horologist #automatonmaker #mechanic #micromechanics #watchmaking #clockmaking #horology #workwithyourhands #lifegoals

Over the holidays I fell and tore a ligament in my ankle. This has kept me out of the shop the last few weeks, hence why I haven’t posted much. Being stuck in a brace and on crutches has given me a lot of time to sit and reflect, as well as work on my book for @penguinukbooks ::silver linings:: During this time I’ve come back to one of my favorite projects I undertook. The little fairy ship automaton. I fabricated this sterling silver case from scratch and Abigail Bainbridge @bainbridgecons covered it in Shagreen. The mechanism was also in quite poor shape and provided an incredible challenge to get working again. It was an extremely rewarding project that I think of often. You can read the full story via the AHS journal. Link to article: https://ahsoc.contentfiles.net/media/assets/file/ship-automaton_wm6.pdf . . . . #memoriatechnica #horology #watchmaker #silversmith #horologist #mechanic #automata #automaton #mechanicalship #galleon #shagreen #workwithyourhands #craft #watchmaking #antiquarianhorologist #sterlingsilver #craft

I’m looking forward to starting work on these two characters soon. The first is a bubble blowing bear(!!!!) and the second is a cello playing bear. Both French and likely made by the Roullet & Decamps firm. What a pair of cuties. #craft . . . . . . . . #memoriatechnica #workwithyourhands #automaton #bear #cello #bubbles #conservation #horology #fun #wonder #mechanic #analog #polarbear

✨Thank you dear followers for all the love and support! And for making my little corner of the world a part of your life. It’s been an eventful year to say the least. I’m so grateful for the wonderful opportunities of 2018 and can’t wait for what 2019 has in store. Happy New Year and best wishes everyone for 2019 ! ✨ . . . . . #memoriatechnica #huzzah #newyear #gratitude #horology #bestof2018 #happynewyear

With the holidays upon us and many of you traveling, I thought I’d share my essential holiday travel kit! Happy holidays everyone! I hope you are surrounded by all good things this season ♥️ Breitling Cosmonaute ✔️ Swiss Army Knife ✔️ Pocket Spinning Top ✔️ Pencil Pouch ✔️ Notepad ✔️ Book Darts ✔️ . . . . . #pencils #spinningtop #guilloche #travelkit #breitling #cosmonaute #squadonamission #memoriatechnica #swissarmyknife #blackwing #read #write #simplethings #flatlay

Making a new hairspring today! This started as an uncolleted overcoil spring. Lots of careful work rendered the spring flat and colleted. Now to pin and stud the spring for the platform! . . . . #horology #watchmaker #watchmaking #horologist #memoriatechnica #workwithyourhands #craft #mechanic #horologicaltools

✨If you’re looking for a unique gift, I’m offering guilloche sterling silver drink coasters made to order. A lucky someone is getting a set of four of these this year! Perfect for candlelight New Year’s Eve champagne. DM for details. ✨ . . . . . These are made with 18 gauge 3” solid sterling rounds backed with 3” of 1/8” thick cork and come in a black velvet bag. . . . #workwithyourhands #memoriatechnica #craft #guilloche #engineturning #engineturned #guilloché #bespoke #coaster #cocktail #whiskey #champagne #sterlingsilver #handmade #gift #roseengine

The Automata Cabinet – Blog

In a Snail Shell
Papier-mâché that barks : Woof ! Crack ! Woops…
Summer Solstice at the Cooper Hewitt
Craft – skill in making
Where mechanics meet magic, birds, & music
Engine Turning Classes May 2018
The Magic of Horology 2/13
Books, talks, baubles, & more
Time in the Limelight
Advanced Engine Turning

Memoria Technica

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