There is a profound connection between the world of high-end watchmaking and fine art. Both require an obsession with detail, a steady hand, and an immense amount of patience. Today, I want to share a piece that perfectly captures this intersection: a breathtaking pencil drawing of the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph by Hungarian artist Tamás Fehér.
Tamás’s journey into the world of "Watch Art" is as fascinating as the drawings themselves. Previously a professional in real estate development, he felt a deep-seated need to create something truly creative. Inspired by his father - a jeweler and watchmaker - and a lifelong love for the precision of graphite, Tamás transitioned to a full-time artist in late 2019. "I wanted to spend an almost insane amount of time with a single watch, exploring every tiny detail. Drawing felt like the perfect way to do that."
The first commission project that Tom (I call him Tom) did for me was the Roger Dubuis Sympathie Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Biretrograde. Many years later, he did the more complex A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph - both drawings hang proudly in my living room. I share here with you the interview I had with Tom and his journey around his craft. Enjoy these incredible photos of his drawings!
Who is Tamás the artist?
First of all, thank you very much for the interview. It is always a pleasure to talk about my work. My name is Tamás Fehér, and I am a pencil artist from Hungary. I am a happy father of a newborn daughter.
I started my watch art collection at the end of 2019. Before that, I worked in real estate development. It was a solid career, but I felt a strong need to create something truly creative. When I sold my first drawing, I quit my full-time job immediately.
How did you start pencil drawing?
Drawing has been my main hobby since early childhood. Whenever I saw something interesting, often in a movie, my father and I would sit down and draw together.
I fell in love with the precision of graphite and the incredible level of detail that can be achieved with it. During my school years, I learned from many talented artists and teachers, for whom I am very grateful.
What sparked your watch drawing journey?
My father is a jeweller and watchmaker, and he had a very successful career in the industry. Because of him, I was exposed to watches at a very young age. However, the moment I truly fell in love with watches was in 2004, when I saw a Breitling Navitimer in a magazine.
The idea of the watch art collection came later. I wanted to spend an almost insane amount of time with a single watch, exploring every tiny detail. Drawing felt like the perfect way to do that.
When you draw a watch, how many pencils do you usually have with you?
Too many!
I have five large boxes of drawing tools, and these are only the ones I actually use. I am constantly experimenting to find what works best with my style. That said, the pencil is not the most important tool, the paper is. When I first tried a watercolor paper I am using, it completely changed my work.
What is the difference between “normal” paper and watercolour paper, and how does that affect your drawings?
Watercolour paper is a very thick, cotton based paper with a pronounced texture. Because of this surface, drawings tend to appear rougher and more expressive compared to those made on smoother paper.
While it is technically more challenging to work with, especially for fine details, this texture complements my style very well on a larger scale and adds depth and character to the final artwork.
How large is your table?
My desk is not very big, it’s the paper that’s big. I work section by section minimising the space utilised.
What are the steps you follow when starting a project?
I always begin by studying the watch itself, its history, structure, and details. This research phase is essential.
Next, I create small rough sketches to test the composition and decide how the drawing will sit on the paper.
For the final piece, I use the grid technique. A light grid is applied both to the reference image and to the paper. This allows me to draw a very precise draft without shading, just a clean, accurate outline.
After that, I begin shading. This is the longest part of the process, with over 100 hours required for my standard large-format works. Once finished, I photograph the drawing, because imperfections are much easier to spot in photos than with the naked eye. I correct them, then repeat this process several times.
And then, it’s finished. Very quick process! 😊
Do you fix the paper and move around the table, or do you rotate the paper as you draw?
I rotate the paper. Certain pencil lines work better at specific angles, so I need to turn the paper several times to achieve the best result.
What is the toughest part of drawing?
Some watches are always a huge challenge - especially the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Nautilus style watches by Patek. Their dials are insanely difficult to draw.
Colored drawings are also very challenging. Colored pencils are much stickier than graphite, which makes clean, precise lines harder to achieve. This is why I prefer graphite, my most precise works are done with it. But, people love color, so I work with both.
How long does it take to finish one drawing?
It depends on the size and the complexity of the watch, but usually 100+ hours.
Thankfully, I truly love what I do, so I can draw 10–12 hours a day. Of course, the body needs care during such long sessions. I train with a professional who specializes in spinal health and posture-related issues, and I’m very thankful for her support.
How do you research the watch and its movement?
I have a strong collection of watch books, and if the specific piece appears in one of them, I start there. I also research extensively online to deepen my understanding.
Do owners send photos to you, or do you research them yourself?
Usually, owners send photos. However, photographing such small objects, especially movements, is very difficult, particularly with a phone. In some cases, clients send me the actual watch, but most of the time I have to be… creative.
Which was your first watch drawing?
My first watch drawing was the Breitling Navitimer I mentioned earlier. It was the first watch I truly fell in love with. After I began selling my artworks, I was finally able to afford the watch itself. I still own it today and wear it regularly, which gives the piece a very personal significance.
What watches do you own, and do you draw them?
I now have a collection that I’m very proud of. It’s not as large or as valuable as many of my client’s collections, but it feels perfectly balanced to me.
To mention a few highlights, I own a few vintage Rolex watches, a 1969 pre Moon Omega Speedmaster, which I purchased from a stuntman and which comes with an incredible backstory, and a 1967 black dial Heuer Carrera in exceptional condition. That Carrera pairs perfectly with my 1967 black Ford Mustang GT, a car I absolutely love.
I also own a Tudor Black Bay that holds special emotional value. Two of my closest friends own the exact same model. We bought them together.
I do draw my own watches from time to time, especially when there is a strong personal connection to the piece.
If you were to choose three of the most demanding drawings, which would they be and why?
1. FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain Prototype
This piece was created in collaboration with the FP Journe Collectors Club community. I produce a drawing for them every year, but this time I wanted to create something truly special, as the Tourbillon Souverain is my favourite FP Journe watch of all time. The expectations were high, both technically and emotionally, which made it particularly demanding.
2. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Michael Schumacher
This was my second commission for Christie’s and featured Michael Schumacher’s personal Royal Oak. The pressure was intense: the deadline was very tight, and I knew the artwork would be exhibited at the Four Seasons Hotel alongside the actual watch. On top of that, the Royal Oak is exceptionally challenging to draw due to its “guilloché dial”.
3. Paul Newman’s Paul Newman
The watch itself is not especially difficult to draw. However, I wanted to place it in a dynamic setting, incorporating a racetrack and heavy smoke. I quickly realised that creating realistic smoke on paper is far more complex than it appears, which made this piece unexpectedly challenging.
A Celebration of Detail
It takes a special kind of talent to render the soul of a mechanical watch using nothing but wood and lead. Tamás Fehér hasn't just drawn a watch; he has captured the very spirit of horological craftsmanship.
You may follow him on Instagram @darksideofthewatch or write to him at fehertamas4444@gmail.com should you want to commission a work. Hope you like the blog covering his work!
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