The Horologist’s Loupe
The Horological Society of New York's newsletter (and today blog!) began publishing in 1936, and is one of the oldest continuously running horological publications in the world.
Vintage Copies of The Horologist's Loupe Now Available
In 1939 the Horological Society of New York started publishing its monthly newsletter, The Horologist's Loupe. HSNY's friends at the National Watch and Clock Museum recently found two books in their archives containing vintage copies of The Horologist's Loupe from the 1940s, 1950s, 1970s and 1980s. With their kind permission, those vintage copies were scanned and are now available for all to read.
The first editor of The Horologist's Loupe was Henry Fried, who later became President of HSNY. Fried was a prolific horological author and illustrator who wrote many books that are still referenced today by working watchmakers. The New York Times called him "The Dean of American Watchmaking." The Horologist's Loupe contained many of Fried's original illustrations and texts, giving a look at his work before it was adapted into his famous books.
Take a look at the caption for the lower photograph: "Part of the crowd of over 500 watchmakers and guests at the April [1950] meeting." Wow!
These vintage copies of The Horologist's Loupe also provide a glimpse into HSNY post-war happenings. Meetings were regularly attended by over 300 members, and regular gala dinners were a highlight of the year. We hope you enjoy this look into HSNY's history, and we thank the National Watch & Clock Museum for preserving these pieces of HSNY's past!
HSNY Welcomes F.P. Journe as a Sponsor
François-Paul Journe - Founder, F.P. Journe & Nicholas Manousos - Vice President, Horological Society of New York, Meet at the General Society Library in Midtown Manhattan
Furthering HSNY's educational mission, Swiss watch manufacture F.P. Journe has made a major contribution to facilitate an expansion and relocation of HSNY's extensive horological library. Beginning in May 2016, HSNY's library will move into the NYC landmark General Society Library, where HSNY holds its 150-year-old monthly lecture series.
F.P. Journe also donated and signed two books published by the brand, Steel Time by Jean-Claude Sabrier and Georges Rigot, and Grand Sonnerie, by Jean-Claude Sabrier and Vincent Daveau. Both books are available now in HSNY's library for all members.
François-Paul Journe's First Wristwatch
Nicholas Manousos, HSNY Vice President said "HSNY's library is a horological treasure, and F.P. Journe's sponsorship is an incredible gesture that will help keep the library available and accessible for generations to come."
Pierre Halimi Lacharlotte, Montres Journe America General Manager said "To all lovers of watchmaking, to all would be watchmakers: 'Study the past if you would define the future.' (Confucius)"
Movement of the F.P. Journe T10 Tourbillon Wristwatch
Meeting Recap - John Harrison: Longitude, the Precision Watch and Pendulum Clock
John Harrison's H1 Marine Chronometer
Rory McEvoy - Curator of Horology at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, UK
April 4, 2016
The guest speaker at the April 4th meeting of the HSNY was Rory McEvoy from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England. Held at our new meeting place, the General Society library, a large audience heard him discuss the contributions to horology by the famous scientist and inventor, John Harrison. Many clocks made by Harrison are at the museum, which displays the H4 chronometer, the first accurate timepiece made to calculate longitude at sea. Mr. McEvoy related some interesting details about how Harrison produced this smaller chronometer.
At an early age Harrison was a bell ringer; he observed the rhythmic swinging of bells giving him the idea to utilize the horizontal pendulum in his first attempt to win the prize for longitude. Two more version over many years were not successful. Utilizing a mainspring and not depending on gravity was the solution; a highly precise type of pocket watch, which could be handled more easily at sea, instead of a cumbersome clock, was the answer. Harrison formulated special alloys and sought the advise of famous watchmakers to achieve a final accuracy of one half degree, adequate for navigation. In fact some "copies" of H4 were ordered by the British Admiralty and made by Kendall or Jeffries. History records that one was used on the famous ship "Bounty."
Our thanks to Mr. McEvoy for this informative presentation. The story of John Harrison is fascinating and inspiring.
Submitted by Walter Pangretitsch, Recording Secretary, HSNY