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(Music by Moby Gratis)
The Brooklyn Flea is not an easy place to stand out, but David Sokosh caught my attention. With his rounded spectacles, crisp white shirt, jacket vest, and thick mustache complemented by slicked-back hair, he looked like a vestige of a bygone era. It turned out he was an anachronism of sorts — a watchmaker.
David fell into watchmaking almost by accident. He owned an art gallery that closed during the recent recession. A hobbyist for many years, he had apprenticed with a clockmaker early on, and returned to it only after the dissolution of his art gallery. David’s story is a fascinating account of the consequence of chance, and how life’s uncontrollable events can lead an individual to his calling.
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3 Featured Comments
Sign in to add your ownHeather Levin from petticoatplease says: Featured
I have a handmade watch myself, and the artist is right; digital watches just don't have the same feel or personal connection. So much care and attention has to go into a handmade watch; it's such a work of art that you get to wear and look at every day. I hope more people will see the advantage of these beautiful watches over the monotonous ones from China! Thank you for this great video!
340 days ago
Penny Birch-Williams from PennyBirchWilliams says: Featured
The current recession has changed many lives and altered many courses, but what seems to be a loss or setback may often turn someone in a direction they would never otherwise find. And that direction may be a great opportunity or a new passion. We can't always tell what twists and turns of life will take, or what may result; even 'bad' things can bring 'good' to us in time. David Sokosh is a great example of how people persevere and find the good in difficult times. I'm happy for him and his watches are wonderful!
340 days ago
mazedasastoat from mazedasastoat says: Featured
"A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it." Jean de la Fontaine. I love the serendipitous nature of the way so many Etsians came to be crafting for a living. And as someone who has had a lifelong friendship with the last watchmaker in this area, & seen his struggles to find a suitable apprentice to pass his skills on to, I'm thrilled to see that the art hasn't died out elsewhere either! Best of luck for the future David!
339 days ago
45 comments
Sign in to add your ownParachute425 from Parachute425 says:
Excellent, David! Best of luck to you. Thanks for sharing your story.
340 days ago
Jess from volkerwandering says:
so cool! I love that he works with old watches!
340 days ago
Heather Levin from petticoatplease says: Featured
I have a handmade watch myself, and the artist is right; digital watches just don't have the same feel or personal connection. So much care and attention has to go into a handmade watch; it's such a work of art that you get to wear and look at every day. I hope more people will see the advantage of these beautiful watches over the monotonous ones from China! Thank you for this great video!
340 days ago
Penny Birch-Williams from PennyBirchWilliams says: Featured
The current recession has changed many lives and altered many courses, but what seems to be a loss or setback may often turn someone in a direction they would never otherwise find. And that direction may be a great opportunity or a new passion. We can't always tell what twists and turns of life will take, or what may result; even 'bad' things can bring 'good' to us in time. David Sokosh is a great example of how people persevere and find the good in difficult times. I'm happy for him and his watches are wonderful!
340 days ago
Stephanie from StringBeardCraftery says:
Such tiny pieces! It must be so challenging and rewarding to find all of these little vintage hardware mechanics and to piece them together to create something new. Something new and vintage at the same time! Like resuscitating a watch that has seen so much throughout its life!
340 days ago
warnellcreations from warnellcreations says:
Phenomenal work! Thanks for sharing your inspiring story.
340 days ago
Erika from ErikaPrice says:
Awesome story, and I love the way David combines old and new in each piece - would cherish one of my own!
340 days ago
VaLon Frandsen from thevicagirl says:
How cool, such pretty watches. Love it.
340 days ago
Adriana Allen from adrianaallenllc says:
I loved the video. The music was very appropriately chosen - there is something very romantic about recovering the past that has been lost. It's amazing that in this world there a niche can be found or built for anything, if you have the right approach and passion for it. Yes, you are not competing with Cartier Patek Phillipe, but you don't have to. Your work is just as valuable. Best of wishes for your future!
340 days ago
Scott from vinylclockwork says:
Great Video, Gonna head over to Brooklyn Watches and check them out they look pretty cool. Keep up the great work and awesome story
340 days ago
Megan from MegansMenagerie says:
Love your story! Your work is beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us!
340 days ago
Polkadot Magpie from ThePolkadotMagpie says:
Love this piece, and David's work. Congrats!
340 days ago
skybluemaine from skybluemaine says:
Hellooo David, I'm really really pleased and inspired by you! Now I'll be watching yard sales for old pocket watches for you! No charge. Very excited to see you have a dream and vocation of such distinction. It seems that everyone must have an ancestor whom they can claim was a watchmaker; now to know one in "real life is very cool." Bravo. Annie skybluemaine
340 days ago
LivingVintage from LivingVintage says:
What a great story! Almost a lost art.
340 days ago
Windy City Novelties says:
One door may have closed but another one opened and you are very talented! Great story.
340 days ago
ValliCraftEmporium from ValliCraftEmporium says:
I love these manual wind watches! Well made with no batteries. It would be great if there were more no-battery operated, high crafts available today.
340 days ago
Natalia from KMalinkaVintage says:
Awesome story!
340 days ago
maaret sinkko from maaretsinkko says:
who knows how the road takes you on a fascinating journey. what you set out to do in life is not perhaps what you become, but something better.
339 days ago
Jessica from LovelyFever says:
Great video with an inspiring story! I guess there is truth to the saying that "when one door closes, another one opens".
339 days ago
silvertique from silvertique says:
wow, nice story!
339 days ago
iammie from iammie says:
Nice!
339 days ago
Connie Haskell from redemptionart says:
Bravo! Good for you! What a great example of American ingenuity, as well as an inspiration for so many of us who have had to charter a new path for our lives! Best of luck to you!
339 days ago
Marta Morales from DreamSight says:
Oh!! Nice story :D
339 days ago
Sam's Natural from SamsNatural says:
Awesome ~ nice short!
339 days ago
Edie Ann from OhHoneyHush says:
Very nice watches!! Great story :)
339 days ago
Morgan Hartlage from morganhartlage says:
I am so glad someone is making wrist watches like this. The level of craftmanship is amazing. I've always been obsessed with pocket watches and antique movements... I once asked my uncle who owns a jewelry store to make a watch from one of my boyfriend's antique watches. Unfortunately he didn't have the skill to do so and Ive been trying to find watches like these ever since. Bravo David, and you should push into the market for women (masculine watch faces with more feminine bands). :)
339 days ago
mazedasastoat from mazedasastoat says: Featured
"A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it." Jean de la Fontaine. I love the serendipitous nature of the way so many Etsians came to be crafting for a living. And as someone who has had a lifelong friendship with the last watchmaker in this area, & seen his struggles to find a suitable apprentice to pass his skills on to, I'm thrilled to see that the art hasn't died out elsewhere either! Best of luck for the future David!
339 days ago
Custom Baby from customizeBaby says:
WHAT AN AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ARTICLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
339 days ago
Aaron Kish from JewelryRage says:
Awesome work congrats on the feature. http://jewelryrage.com/
339 days ago
ellenmari says:
If the watches had'nt already sold me this vid sure would have! Amazing stuff!
339 days ago
isoscele from isoscele says:
Super Article!
338 days ago
Melissa Munsterman from ZOBESTUDIO says:
I grew up in the jewelry industry and watched my father repair watches for years. He is no longer alive but he would approve of this inspiring story. Bravo for finding a new avenue and creating something beautiful once again.
338 days ago
Deanna Lamour from DarwinsDress says:
I love real life stories where hard times are alchemized into fruitful times through patience, perseverance, and optimism! Wonderful video!
336 days ago
Carlos Tellechea from ArteArtesania says:
N I C E ...
336 days ago
Ginger Oliphant from GoingPlaces2 says:
What a wonderful story and talent! Eleanor Roosevelt said "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are". I too would never have discovered the talent inside me if not for the recession and a reduction in hours at my job. 40 hours to 24 hours allowed me the to create my line of art and open up my Etsy store. Well done David! And much continued success.
336 days ago
Inga Rudnick from mafiz says:
Great storie. I like to see it, as others show their craft. I felts, I like that too.
336 days ago
David Prince says:
That's great, I get how you get a hold of the movements but how do you get the cases and dials made ??
336 days ago
mike ryan says:
Whats his web site or how does one get in touch with him?
336 days ago
Nathifa Davis-Sligh from juicychristians says:
This is such an awesome story.
336 days ago
newtribetextiles from newtribetextiles says:
I have seen first hand how the art of watch making and fixing is dyeing in India, hopefully it is not as inevitable as it seems. Because it is a beautiful and amazing craft. Thanks for creating this post.
335 days ago
Opal by Oz from opalbyoz says:
I have several wind up wrist watches. I have a few digital as well. I wear the wind up because that is me. The last digital is still in the box. That sums up it all. David, you are on the right track! Out of adversity comes opportunity. A great story to share.
335 days ago
Sandi Hill from shilproductions says:
Wonderful! I have a small bag of new old parts, if there's some way to get them to the artist.
335 days ago
Evangeline Black from EvangelineBlack says:
what a beautifil story - I wish him all the best with his business! Real makers like David, that's what the world needs :-)
334 days ago
Katie Rebecca Hoare from ktrebeccajewellery says:
Such an inspiration! There is not many with this skill! Thanks
324 days ago
Dana Dufek from auvahome says:
Beautiful and moving story! Thanks so much for sharing and for the connection to your craft. Truly inspiring. -Dana auva home
274 days ago