Kwanghun Hyun

3 Hands

Clockmaker

Crafting with a mechanical third hand

Kwanghun learned how to create clocks and watches on his own
Through his works, he studies the intersection of traditional craft and industrial technology
He served as a jury member for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève

Kwanghun Hyun is a metal artist who found his passion in clockmaking and watchmaking. "I discovered mechanical watches at school while seeking to control exposure time on a pinhole camera for a graduation project. I was fascinated by the structures and movements of machines," he says. Kwanghun learned his craft through online videos, workshop observation and repeatedly disassembling and reassembling vintage watches until he fully mastered their mechanical systems. As he had no access to proper tools, he designed and built his own. His studio, 3 Hands, reflects his philosophy towards his craft: the left and right hands, and a third hand representing machines, each integral to the craft. "Through relentless curiosity, I aim to revive the technical knowledge that has drifted away from human hands under industry dominance," he explains.

Interview

Do you work with any particularly specialised techniques?: In metal crafts, casting and sheet metal are the two main traditional techniques. I am trying to bring precision machining techniques into this field. Even though it is industrial in origin, I see it as a meaningful way of working with metal in both my practice and teaching.
What role does the concept of time play in your clockmaking?: Time is not a fixed or neutral concept – it has been shaped by science, politics and culture throughout history. Societies measured time differently, and these systems evolved over time. Watches and clocks reflect this evolution.
What does well made mean to you?: In mechanical watchmaking, perfection does not lie in eliminating all error, but in making something adjustable. Mechanical watches inevitably drift over time, no matter how precisely they are made. So to me, a well made object is one designed to be tuned and recalibrated when needed.
Where do you usually find inspiration for your work?: I am inspired by everyday structures like bus buttons or electrical boxes. Everyday objects may seem simple, but once I imagine making them, I realise how complex they are. The hidden complexity of everyday objects inspires me to bring industrial techniques into craftsmanship.

Kwanghun Hyun is a master artisan: he began his career in 2007 and he started teaching in 2013