Yale Sophomore Turns Hobby into Business with Custom Watches

Aiden Tumminello, a sophomore at Yale University studying architecture and mechanical engineering, has transformed his pandemic hobby into a thriving business. Tumminello launched Elm Street Watches, a company specializing in handcrafted, custom mechanical watches inspired by various elements of Yale’s campus. The venture took off after classmates expressed curiosity about the unique watches he wore, prompting him to bring his designs to a wider audience.

The watches are designed to reflect the architectural beauty and distinctiveness of Yale. For instance, Tumminello’s piece named “The Rudolph” draws inspiration from the Yale School of Architecture. “I spent a lot of time in this building, and I looked around one day and I was like, this would be super cool to make a watch design of,” he explained. Other designs capture the geometric lines and vibrant orange carpet of the Haas Family Arts Library, the nine-square grid of the New Haven Green, and the industrial aesthetic of the Yale Center for Engineering Innovation and Design.

The official launch of Elm Street Watches occurred in August 2023, following a development phase that began in January 2025. The company has already recorded 16 sales, with prices ranging between $300 and $400. Yale students and faculty benefit from a 20 percent discount on all purchases. Tumminello assembles the watches himself in his dorm room, using parts sourced from various manufacturers and utilizing 3D printing technology at the CEID for prototyping.

Support from peers has been a crucial factor in Tumminello’s journey. Gusty Jothaprasert, a friend and one of his earliest customers, first noticed Tumminello’s green watch during their freshman year. “I was intrigued when I saw the watch and wanted to know where he got it,” Jothaprasert said. After learning it was handmade, he purchased “The Toolwatch,” inspired by the Becton Center, even before the official website launch. Jothaprasert recounted how friends in Bangkok, Thailand, were surprised to learn these watches were crafted by a Yale student.

In addition to individual sales, Elm Street Watches has partnered with the Veritas Search, a campus-wide scavenger hunt set to return for its second year. The collaboration will see the first three winners receive custom watches designed by Tumminello, with an additional 15 watches available for purchase. Samuel Vargas, a member of the Veritas team, noted the high quality of Tumminello’s work, which motivated the partnership. “We thought his work was high quality and were excited about the idea of doing a custom collaborative timepiece,” Vargas stated.

Looking ahead, Tumminello envisions expanding his business while maintaining its focus on Yale. He hopes to collaborate with more student organizations and eventually reach out to alumni and Yale-affiliated groups beyond the campus. Despite the potential for growth, he is cautious about expanding to other universities, as he believes the watches’ appeal lies in their personal connection to Yale.

Currently, four unique designs are available on the Elm Street Watches website, each reflecting the spirit and architecture of the university. As Tumminello continues to develop his craft and business acumen, he remains dedicated to capturing the essence of Yale in each timepiece he creates.