HSNY requests the honor of your presence at our…
2026 Gala & Charity Auction
Join Us as We Celebrate 160 Years of Horological Tradition in New York!
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Ticket Release Schedule
November 6, 2025: Gold Members
November 13, 2025: Silver Members
November 20, 2025: Bronze Members
November 27, 2025: General Public
Venue
The Plaza Hotel, viewed from Central Park
In 2026, the Horological Society of New York will mark its 160th anniversary. To celebrate this historic occasion, HSNY will host its annual gala at The Plaza Hotel on March 21, bringing together friends from around the world for an unforgettable evening. The event will honor the Society’s enduring mission of advancing the art and science of horology while looking toward the future with renewed purpose. At the gala, HSNY will award its watchmaking scholarships, hold its charity auction and honor François-Paul Journe and London Jewelers. Gala Co-Chairs Ben Ahlers, Danièla Dufour and Roger W. Smith OBE will serve as ambassadors for the event.
The Plaza Hotel
768 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Honorees
François-Paul Journe
Lifetime Achievement Award
At HSNY’s 160th Anniversary Gala, François-Paul Journe will be honored with the Howard Fass Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Society’s highest honor. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have shown extraordinary dedication to the ideals which the Society pursues.
Journe’s lifetime of work has profoundly shaped the art and science of horology. Over decades, he has built upon tradition while driving innovation, creating timepieces that marry technical mastery with aesthetic brilliance. Beyond his own watchmaking, Journe has championed the next generation through his Young Talent Competition, providing crucial recognition and support to emerging watchmakers. From pioneering complicated mechanisms to elevating independent watchmaking on the global stage, Journe’s contributions have left an indelible mark on the craft, inspiring both his peers and future generations.
London Jewelers
Centennial Recognition Award
In addition to our Lifetime Achievement Award, HSNY is proud to honor London Jewelers on the occasion of their 100th anniversary. For a century, London Jewelers has served as a trusted destination for watch and jewelry enthusiasts, supporting the art and craft of fine watchmaking and bringing horology to generations of collectors. We recognize their enduring legacy and their role in fostering appreciation for the watchmaking arts.
The Charles London Scholarship for Watchmaking Students is made possible through the generous support of London Jewelers.
Co-Chairs
To mark the extraordinary occasion of the Horological Society of New York’s 160th Anniversary Gala, the Society is honored to welcome three Gala Co-Chairs, who will help lead this landmark celebration. Their presence highlights the significance of the evening and reflects the spirit of collaboration that has defined HSNY since its founding in 1866. Serving as ambassadors for the event, the Co-Chairs unite their networks and expertise to ensure the Gala’s success: honoring HSNY’s past, celebrating its present, and securing its future.
Ben Ahlers
Ben Ahlers is an acclaimed actor and producer whose work spans television, theater, and film. He earned a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan, where his education further shaped his artistic sensibilities. Ahlers is widely recognized for his role as Jack Trotter on HBO’s The Gilded Age, for which he immersed himself in horological study (including a watchmaking class at HSNY).
Danièla Dufour
Danièla Dufour is a distinguished independent watchmaker carrying forward the legacy of her father, Philippe Dufour, while establishing a name uniquely her own. Based in Switzerland, she crafts timepieces entirely by hand, designing, finishing, and assembling each component with the precision and artistry that define the highest traditions of horology. Danièla has become a leading voice for the next generation of independent watchmakers.
Roger W. Smith OBE
Roger W. Smith, OBE is one of the foremost independent watchmakers of the modern era, celebrated for his dedication to preserving and advancing traditional British horology. Apprenticed to the late George Daniels, Smith has carried forward the Daniels Method of handcrafting every component of a watch, while also introducing technical innovations of his own. Today, Smith leads his workshop on the Isle of Man and also serves as a Trustee of the Horological Society of New York.
Scholarships
Steve Eagle, HSNY Director of Education (left) and Brett Walsdorf, HSNY Treasurer (right) presenting a ceremonial scholarship check to watchmaking students Justin Delano (middle left) and Brian Furi (middle right) at the HSNY 2025 Gala.
At the 2025 Gala, HSNY awarded a sum of $160,000 to 28 watchmaking students and 4 watchmaking schools across the country. In 2026, HSNY will triple its scholarship funding and introduce a new Independent Watchmaker Grant, offering three awards of $50,000 each. This significant expansion of HSNY’s scholarships and awards is made possible by a generous grant from the Vogt Foundation. The recipients of HSNY’s 2026 scholarships and award programs will be announced at the Gala.
Charity Auction
Lively bidding at the 2025 Charity Auction
HSNY’s annual charity auction plays a vital role in strengthening the future of watchmaking education. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised from the charity auction benefit HSNY’s ongoing educational initiatives. The annual charity auction is supported by Christie’s, Phillips, and Sotheby’s and is hosted in a rotating format. The 2026 charity auction will be hosted by Sotheby’s. A hand-engraved and engine-turned lifetime membership card will be among the items offered for sale. Auction lots will be announced in early 2026.
Details
Banquet photo from the HSNY 2025 Gala
Cocktail Hour
From 6pm, with open bar, hors d'oeuvres and live music. Red carpet photo opportunity upon arrival.
Dinner
From 7pm in the Grand Ballroom.
Afterparty
9pm until late in the Terrace Room.
Attire
Black tie.
Ticket Release Schedule
November 6, 2025: Gold Members
November 13, 2025: Silver Members
November 20, 2025: Bronze Members
November 27, 2025: General Public
A portion of each ticket is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law; the non-deductible value of goods and services provided will be disclosed after the event.
The four ticket types (Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze) correspond to seating locations within the Grand Ballroom, offering exceptional, premium, preferred, and standard seating respectively. All tickets include cocktails and dinner, as well as access to the afterparty.
Any questions? Email info@hs-ny.org