Member Stories
Watchcraft Inc
Eduardo Milieris is a Uruguayan artist who is shaping time into art at Watchcraft Inc, a studio devoted to limited edition, handcrafted timepieces. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, Eduardo’s lifelong fascination with art and time traces back to a pivotal moment immediately after attending an Alexander Calder exhibition when, at age 10, he painted the face of his first watch.
Eduardo characterizes his designs as “industrial chic,” using recycled metals embellished with sterling silver, copper, and brass. Preserving traditional craftsmanship, he employs age-old techniques, distressing and oxidizing metals to evoke a look reminiscent of buried treasure. Each watch face is meticulously hand-painted at his studio in Jamaica, Queens, bestowing a distinct character to every piece.
Beyond watch-making, Eduardo is a seasoned photographer, sculptor, and furniture designer. Watchcraft emerged after an unexpected turn of events: his dismissal from his first job at the UN for refusing to shave off his goatee. “I tried being an employee and was very bad at it!” he admits.
Eduardo emphasizes the significance of community support, especially for immigrants. “I got my first job at the UN because other Uruguayans were working there,” he states. “Today, my social circle is still full of friends from across Latin America. Our children grew up together, they learned Spanish together.”
It’s not just the Latinx community benefiting from this symbiosis, but the U.S. as a whole. Eduardo emphasizes, “Latinx entrepreneurs and business owners contribute so much to the United States—just try to imagine what New York would look like without us!”
Amidst this creative journey, Eduardo proudly introduces his latest line: Watchcraft’s Apple watch bands, beautifully handcrafted with sterling silver, copper, and brass. These bands showcase Eduardo’s ability to seamlessly adapt his work to fit the dynamic landscape of wearable technology.
As a Uruguayan Jew, Eduardo embraces his unique identity, challenging stereotypes and showcasing diversity within the Latinx community. He proudly states, “I was born in Montevideo but made in NYC.”