2026 Charity Auction
Presented by Sotheby’s
Auction will take place at the HSNY 2026 Gala on Saturday, March 21
The Horological Society of New York's annual charity auction plays a vital role in supporting the future of watchmaking education. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised from the charity auction benefit HSNY’s ongoing educational initiatives, including supporting watchmaking students with scholarships. The annual auction is supported by Christie’s, Phillips, and Sotheby’s and is hosted in a rotating format. For 2026, the auction will be hosted by Sotheby’s.
Lot 1: A Uniquely Engraved “Metric” Watch, Donated by Brew Watches
The Swiss manual-wind Brew watch takes its cues from the natural ripples of freshly poured coffee. Concentric patterns radiate across the dial in rich copper tones, evoking the calm balance of a perfectly timed pour. Matte black “mountain-top” index markers introduce bold contrast, enhancing legibility while anchoring the warmth of the dial with a confident, graphic edge. This watch features a unique engraving commemorating HSNY’s 160th anniversary.
Estimate: $400 to $800
Lot 2: Watchmaking
Immersion Class and
Private Dinner for Two, Donated by TAG Heuer
Prepare for an unparalleled journey into the world of luxury timekeeping. This lot offers a unique opportunity for two guests to dive into the intricate artistry of TAG Heuer watchmaking. The experience begins with a hands-on watchmaking immersion class, guided by expert TAG Heuer horologists. You and your guest will gain fascinating insights into the heritage, innovation, and meticulous craftsmanship that define TAG Heuer timepieces.
Following the class, you will be treated to a private dinner held onsite featuring a member of TAG Heuer Americas Executive Team. This is a rare chance to engage in an exclusive conversation, learn about the brand's vision, and share your passion for horology with a true industry leader. Date to be determined with winner.
Estimate: $2,500 to $4,500
Lot 3: A Dennison-cased Rolex “Precision” Solid Gold Wristwatch, Donated by Dennison Watch
A fine and highly collectible mid-century Rolex, presented in a British-made Dennison 9-carat solid gold case and retailed by Watches of Switzerland in 1967. The case is fully hallmarked for Birmingham and signed Dennison – Made in England for Rolex, additionally marked A.L.D and individually numbered. The watch is accompanied by its original presentation box and paperwork, enhancing both provenance and desirability.
Powered by a 17-jewel manual-wind Rolex movement, the watch features an elegant mid-sized 31mm case (excluding crown) with distinctive scalloped lugs — a hallmark of Dennison design and craftsmanship. The original dial displays the applied gold Rolex coronet and Arabic numerals, now showing a light even patina consistent with age.
Estimate: $2,000 to $4,000
Lot 4: A Big Crown
Wings of Hope Limited Edition Watch & Oris x
Yankees Experience, Donated by Oris
A 1,000-piece limited-edition of the Oris Big Crown pilot's watch powered by Calibre 401 in support of the aeronautical charity Wings of Hope. This incredible watch has a 40mm stainless steel case, water resistance to 5 bar and the movement is visible through a sapphire crystal case back.
Also included in this lot are four premium seats in the 100 field level to an upcoming 2026 Yankees home game at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. In addition, the winner will receive four Oris x Yankees New Era ballcaps. The tickets will be provided to a mutually agreeable game date and is subject to availability. The Oris team will be in touch with the winner to select their preferred game date. Oris is the official luxury watch of the New York Yankees.
Estimate: $5,000 to $7,000
Lot 5: Vintage HSNY Lapel Pin, Circa 1930
A rare vintage gold-filled HSNY lapel pin, circa 1930. Preserved in remarkable unworn condition, this elegant emblem represents an early chapter in the history of the Horological Society of New York. Only a handful are known to survive, making it not merely a charming accessory but a tangible link to the Society’s formative decades. Subtle in scale yet rich in meaning, the pin reflects the pride, craftsmanship, and continuity that have defined HSNY for 160 years. An exceptional piece of horological history.
Estimate: $3,000 to $6,000
Lot 6: Journe Society “Invent et Fecit” Wine with Engraved Bottle Opener, Donated by the Journe Society
In celebration of the 160th anniversary of the Horological Society of New York, the Journe Society has generously donated a full case of its private-label wine, Invent et Fecit. The inaugural 2016 vintage was offered exclusively to Journe Society members and was never released to the broader public. Each bottle is individually numbered, and this case is expected to include bottle number 160, a particularly fitting tribute to HSNY’s milestone year.
Accompanying the case is a Journe Society engraved knife-style bottle opener, included in this lot. Together, these pieces represent a rare opportunity to acquire a highly limited and thoughtfully aligned commemorative offering, uniting fine wine, craftsmanship, and horological heritage in a single celebratory ensemble.
Estimate $3,000 to $6,000
Lot 7: Omakase Experience with Chef Daisuke Nakazawa, Donated by Grand Seiko
A private dinner for two hosted by Grand Seiko at their new Flagship Boutique in New York at 540 Madison Ave. in their downstairs VIP omakase bar with dinner curated by renowned Chef Daisuke Nakazawa. Chef Daisuke Nakazawa is the Owner/Chef of the eponymous Sushi Nakazawa in New York City, which has been open since 2013 and has received a Michelin Star as well as three New York Times Stars. Chef Nakazawa apprenticed at Sukiyabashi Jiro under Jiro Ono for 11 years and appeared in the David Gelb’s documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi”.
The experience will include an omakase crafted by Nakazawa himself, premium sake and whisky native to Grand Seiko's two hometowns, and an opportunity to view some of the most rare and desirable timepieces from Grand Seiko with brand curator Joe Kirk. Date and time would be within 2025, but determined based on the winner’s preference and Chef Nakazawa’s availability.
Estimate $5,000 to $10,000
Lot 8: A Signed Octa Reserve De Marche with date Wall Clock, Donated by F.P. Journe
This elegant wall clock captures the distinctive aesthetic of F.P. Journe’s Octa Reserve De Marche with date wristwatch. The clock features the same striking dial design as its inspiration, complete with F.P. Journe’s signature blue steel hands and bold black numerals. The 41 centimeter polished case beautifully complements the intricate guilloché pattern on the white dial, enhancing its appeal. The clock is signed by François-Paul Journe.
This wall clock serves as both a distinguished decorative piece and a tribute to one of modern horology’s greatest independent watchmakers.
Estimate: $20,000 to $40,000
Lot 9: HSNY Lifetime Membership Card, Made and Donated by Joshua Shapiro and Artur Akmaev
The Horological Society of New York offers a coveted Lifetime Membership Card, granting the owner permanent membership privileges across all current and future HSNY membership levels. This exquisite card is meticulously crafted from a 92.5% sterling silver alloy with enhanced tarnish-resistant properties, featuring intricate engine turning (guilloché) by master craftsman Joshua Shapiro and masterful hand-engraving by acclaimed engraver Artur Akmaev — a stunning fusion of traditional horological artistry and fine metalwork. Proceeds benefit HSNY's financial aid initiatives, supporting the next generation of watchmakers.
Estimate: $15,000 to $30,000
Lot 10: A Uniquely Engraved C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Wristwatch, Donated by Romain Gauthier
This unique C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition wristwatch exemplifies the excellence of contemporary independent Swiss watchmaking. The C by Romain Gauthier collection embodies Romain Gauthier’s refined and modern design, characterized by meticulous attention to detail and exceptional craftsmanship. Its beautifully finished in-house movement reflects the brand’s dedication to mechanical precision, while its design ensures remarkable everyday wearability.
This unique piece offers collectors the rare opportunity to acquire a distinctive creation from a renowned independent watchmaker. At the same time, the sale supports the educational mission of the Horological Society of New York, contributing to the preservation and promotion of horological knowledge.
Estimate: $50,000 to $100,000
All lots offered without reserve, with no buyer’s premium. One hundred percent of proceeds from the sale of these items will benefit HSNY’s ongoing educational initiatives, including supporting watchmaking students with scholarships. Absentee bids may be submitted in advance of the auction via email to info@hs-ny.org, and will be accepted until 5PM ET, Friday March 20, 2025. Please note that all absentee bids submitted are final and may not be cancelled once confirmed. By submitting a bid, you accept personal liability to pay the total purchase price including all applicable charges and taxes.
Buyers may be entitled to claim a charitable contribution deduction for the hammer price, but such deduction will be limited to the excess of the hammer price paid for the lot over its fair market value. Inaccordance with applicable IRS regulations, HSNY has provided a good faith estimate of the fair market value for each lot which is the mean of the pre-sale estimates relating to that lot. Buyers will have until December 31, 2026, inclusively, to indicate to HSNY in an email to info@hs-ny.org expressing their wish to benefit from this charitable contribution deduction. Buyers are advised to discuss their particular tax circumstances with their independent tax advisors to determine whether a charitable contribution deduction is available, including residency eligibility under applicable laws to determine if a charitable deduction is available in any jurisdiction outside the United States.