The Journey Behind Balance & Barrel
At Balance and Barrel, we believe that great craftsmanship starts with passion. Our founder, Tyler Angioli, is a prime example of this. With a natural curiosity and a love for tinkering, Tyler has always enjoyed working with his hands and creating things. From childhood projects to his current venture, his passion for making old things look new has driven him to become the skilled watchmaker behind Balance and Barrel.
Tyler’s journey into watchmaking began three years ago, when he decided to take his love for watches one step further. Starting out as a hobbyist, he began experimenting with cheap movements and relying heavily on YouTube tutorials to guide his learning. As time went on, Tyler’s skills grew, and he began collecting books, reaching out to experienced watchmakers, and acquiring better tools to refine his craft.
What began as a simple hobby soon turned into a growing lifestyle. As Tyler’s knowledge expanded, so did his confidence. Movements that once stumped him for days were now reassembled in just an hour. With each success, his passion and understanding deepened. Today, Tyler has created a dedicated, personalized workspace, full of organized parts, crystals, watch bands, and tools that reflect his journey.
Along the way, Tyler found an invaluable community on the WhatNot app, where the watchmaking community offered tips, tricks, and support. His network expanded even further through watch shows, auctions, and weekend thrifting. By handing out business cards and connecting with others, Tyler has built a strong, supportive community that shares his love for watches.
Recently, Tyler had the opportunity to work alongside a seasoned Watchmaker with nearly 45 years of experience as well as a ClockMaker with similar experience. Working in a brick-and-mortar shop has been a game-changer for Tyler, as he learned the ins and outs of a physical shop, mastered constant battery replacements, and worked on big-name pieces like Rolex watches. The mentorship has allowed him to blend old-school techniques with modern watchmaking practices, enhancing his skills and knowledge.
Tyler’s journey is far from over. With each step, he continues to grow and evolve as a watchmaker. He’s excited for the next chapter and looks forward to sharing his craft with the world through Balance and Barrel. Stay tuned as we continue to offer top-quality watch repairs and restoration services, and explore our exclusive watch enthusiast merchandise.