Meeting Recap: Exploring the Surface of Venus with a Clockwork Rover

Evan Hilgemann, Mechanical Engineer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California
December 9, 2019

A technical issue caused the video recording of this lecture to be lost. We sincerely apologize for this happening.

To conclude the 2019 HSNY lecture series, Evan Hilgemann from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) discussed the Automaton Rover For Extreme Environments (AREE) concept. AREE can be thought of as a clockwork rover. Hilgemann explained how technologies such as a mechanical clock and mechanical obstacle detection could reduce computational complexity and lead to a longer lifespan on the surface of Venus. It was incredible to learn that the current record for rover survival on Venus is 127 minutes. Videos were shown of a prototype mechanical clock surviving simulated Venus conditions on Earth, an impressive feat!

The inspiration for the AREE concept stemmed from early technology such as the H5 Pocket Watch, Babbage Engine, Fire Control Computers and the modern technology of Theo Jansen’s Strandbeest and the adding, multiplying and integration of computing mechanisms. The AREE will be built with a combination of mechanics and electronics. The mechanics will embody the power and mobility functionality with the electronics spearheading the instruments and communications. Since traditional navigation techniques would not work on Venus, mechanical automation makes sense due to the duality of low speed / high torque in and low speed / high torque out. The AREE concept demonstrations focused on the high-temperature clock and the benchtop rover at Venus conditions and the exercise was conducted in two phases.

Hilgemann also discussed a related NASA project using "age-old" technologies, Starshade. Starshade is an origami spacecraft, which would expand to block light from a star, allowing a space telescope to better focus on distant planets. The Starshade would only expand to full size once in outer space and would operate as an independent spacecraft. Starshade's development is further ahead as compared to AREE, with deployment possible in 2020. Hilgemann's inspiring lecture showed us all that innovation can be achieved by looking to historical techniques and technology.

HSNY thanks Evan Hilgemann for his fascinating lecture!

Photography by Atom Moore
Submitted by Melody Benloss, Recording Secretary & Associate Librarian & Nicholas Manousos, President

Call for Donations for HSNY's 2020 Charity Auction

HSNY is now accepting donations of watches, clocks, and horological ephemera for the upcoming Gala & Charity Auction, which will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. The charity auction is the Society's largest fundraising event of the year, providing significant support for the ongoing horological education programs being offered here in New York City and across the country. All donations are completely tax deductible. For donation information, please email HSNY. We look forward to a wonderful Gala, and thank our members and sponsors for their ongoing support!

HSNY raised more than $45,000 towards their mission of advancing the art & science of horology at the 2019 Gala & Charity Auction.

Welcoming New HSNY Members, November 2019

Members from all over travel to attend our lectures. Not in NYC? Video recordings of lectures are available to members immediately, and to the general public with a two month delay.

HSNY would like to welcome the following new members. It is only with our member's support that we are able to continue flourishing as America's oldest watchmaking guild and advancing the art and science of horology every day. 

• Aman Raghuvanshi, NY

• An-Shih Lee, WI

• Bader Hareb, Dubai

• Bernhard W. Stoeber, PA

• Brian Schneider, VA

• Coche González, NY

• Daniel Horan, NH

• Daniel Wesley, PA

• David Ettinger, PA

• David Jaffe, NY

• George A. Sheinkopf, NY

• George Yorgakaros, NY

• Howard Gitman, NY

• Jason S. Levin, PA

• Jeffrey Feingold, NY

• Jesse Hokeness, Washington, D.C.

• Jesus-Victor Corre, Canada

• Jon Larner, CA

• Jonathan Sacks, PA

• Jordan Nebuya, Japan

• Joseph Schwartz, NY

• Keith Graham, NJ

• Keith Lehman, PA

• Olusegun Odutola, NY

• Paul Bragan, VA

• Paul Sereda, Canada

• Peter E. Wais, CA

• Praveen Kannan, CA

• Randal Stahl, CO

• Richard I. Lopez, CT

• Richard Oussedik, TX

• Robert Bennett, CO

• Robert Gillison, MD

• Shumon Ian Dhar, MD

• Stephen Levick, PA

• Thomas Jack, Canada

• Thomas Matta, NY

• Tim R. Schulz, CO

• William Marquez, CA

• Won Kim, CA

• Zane Edwards, Washington, D.C.

Upcoming Lecture: Exploring the Surface of Venus with a Clockwork Rover

Join HSNY on Monday, December 9, 2019 for a lecture on Exploring the Surface of Venus with a Clockwork Rover, by Evan Hilgemann, Mechanical Engineer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California.

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The surface of Venus is one of the most inhospitable places in the solar system. It features sulfuric acid clouds, temperatures over 450°C, and a pressure 92 times that of the surface of Earth. Only a handful of probes have successfully reached the surface, and even then only survived for about two hours before their electronics failed in the hostile environment. At the December 9, 2019, meeting of the Horological Society of New York, Evan Hilgemann will discuss a potential solution for exploring Venus. The solution comes from 16th century automatons, which were mechanical devices capable of performing a series of complex actions to achieve a specific result. The Automaton Rover for Extreme Environments (AREE), would replace vulnerable electronic systems with a mechanical design, including a mechanical timekeeper. By utilizing high temperature alloys the rover would survive for months, allowing it to collect and return valuable long-term science data from the surface of Venus. This science data would be critical for informing and improving models of dynamic planetary systems. To implement AREE, “steampunk” science fiction meets spacecraft technology in a unique rover that must be robust and able to operate during its entire mission without human intervention.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

Free tickets are required to attend.

In The News: HSNY President Nicholas Manousos Speaks With The New York Times

The Horological Society of New York recently caught up with an even older organization - The New York Times - to talk about horology. HSNY President Nicholas Manousos was featured as one of four specialists to discuss the ins and outs of watchmaking and how any level of enthusiast can dive in. Thank you to The New York Times for featuring HSNY!

Did you catch us in the November 23 issue of The New York Times? If not, click here to read the full story.

You Have (Watch) Questions? We Asked the Experts (The New York Times)

Meeting Recap: A Life of Independent Horology

David E. Walter, F.B.H.I., Independent Horologist & Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, Santa Barbara, California
November 4, 2019

Video recordings of lectures are available to members immediately (using your membership password), and to the general public with a 2 month delay.

The risk is not that you set your goals too high and fail to reach them, it’s that you set them too low and do.

The quote was the start of David Walter’s A Life of Independent Horology lecture at the November meeting of the Horological Society of New York. Walter strongly believed in going your own way, never giving up and making sure that what was produced was the best quality. Whenever Walter looked at a watch or clock, he’s reminded that the technology was created 200 years ago with no electricity or machines — as far as he was concerned, there must be a simpler way to make or repair a timepiece.

When Walter was 15 years old, he apprenticed as a clock and watch repairer for six years. At first, he worked on mechanisms ranging from pendulum clocks, alarm clocks and then to smaller mechanisms like pocket watches and wristwatches. However, he knew that he had to leave Australia in order to further his experience especially since the categories of high precision clocks, chronographs and chronometers were gaining in interest for him. So, he worked in London for three years and Vienna for seven years. But corporate culture was not working for Walter, so he decided to make his own horological pieces. In 1978, he made his first piece — a Skeleton Clock — followed by the Perpetual Wall Clock and the (D)W5 Free Pendulum Clock. Each timepiece that Walter created had their unique qualities:

• The world’s smallest Carriage Watch: A special contrite 4th wheel and an escape wheel with an inverted pinion had to be created in order for the train to change plane to drive the escapement

• The Exhibition Tourbillon: Based on Breguet’s 1252 Tourbillon

• Five Presidio Watches: All bear with pride “Made in USA” identification

• The Platinum Watch: Houses David’s DW .900 Platinum movement and a .900 Platinum coin-edged watch case with an exhibition back — the only made of that material due to the challenge of working with the metal

• The White Watch: Case made of Tantalum with David’s interpretation of the Omega Cal. 260 and butterfly snailing

• Azur L’heure Bleue Pocket Watch: Made of Tantalum and all parts including the jewels were made in the USA

Of all the pieces Walter has made he considers the Double Pendulum Clock with Planisphere as his masterpiece especially since he included the following 19 complications:

• Equation of Time, Equation a’ Marchant

• Sunrise - Sunset

• Annual Calendar

• Perpetual Calendar Using George Daniels’ Patented Calendar

• Retrograde Date Change

• Instant Calendar Change

• Month Indication

• Day Indication

• Leap Year Indication

• Equation Calendar

• Sidereal Time Conversion Train

• Planisphere

• Wandering Moon

• Sidereal Hours - Civil Hours Conversion Train

• Age of the Moon

• Angle of the Moon to the Sunday

• Phases of the Moon

• Instant Change of the Moon Waxing to the Moon Waning Indication

• Days Until Next New Moon

To bookend the lecture, Walter gave the following quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:

Perfection has been achieved, not when there is something more to add, but when there is nothing left to remove.

HSNY thanks David Walter for his fascinating lecture!

Photography by Atom Moore
Submitted by Melody Benloss, Recording Secretary & Associate Librarian

Welcoming New HSNY Members, October 2019

HSNY instructor Vadim Finkel teaches Horology 101 in NYC!

HSNY would like to welcome the following new members. It is only with our member's support that we are able to continue flourishing as America's oldest watchmaking guild and advancing the art and science of horology every day. 

• Alec Casillo, NY

• Barry Fong, CA

• Drew Hamlin, CA

• Himanshu H Bhatt, NJ

• John Easley, NY

• Jonathan C. Massena, NY

• Karim Aujla, NY

• Kenneth Chestnut, CA

• Luca Morelli, NJ

• Matthew Anderson, NY

• Michael Pritch, NY

• Raluca Markow, NY

• Richard Fox, London

• Robert Wasiczko, NY

• Spendi Veliu, NJ

• Steven Selby, CT

• William Jay Roseman, NJ

HSNY Welcomes Vacheron Constantin as a Sponsor

New York City - October 23, 2019

The Horological Society of New York (HSNY) announces that luxury watch and clock manufacturer Vacheron Constantin has become our latest sponsor. Founded in 1755, the Swiss brand has had an uninterrupted history since its founding, much like HSNY. The sponsorship will enable HSNY to continue its 153-year-old monthly lecture series, enhance our educational initiative, and secure watchmaking scholarships for the next generation.

HSNY wishes to thank Vacheron Constantin for their support in helping advance the art and science of horology!

About Vacheron Constantin 

Founded in 1755 in Geneva, Vacheron Constantin is one of the oldest watchmaking manufacture in the world, with 262 years of uninterrupted activity. Founders of the art of precious and technical watch making, the men and women of Vacheron Constantin continue to design, develop and produce exceptional timekeepers, remaining close to the three fundamentals of the Maison: perfectly precise methods, harmonious and inspired aesthetics and the highest level of finishing touches.

Official website: https://www.vacheron-constantin.com

About the Horological Society of New York

Founded in 1866, the Horological Society of New York (HSNY) is one of the oldest continuously operating horological associations in the world. Today, HSNY is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the art and science of horology through education. Members are a diverse mix of watchmakers, clockmakers, executives, journalists, auctioneers, historians, salespeople and collectors, reflecting the rich nature of horology in New York City.

Official website: http://hs-ny.org

HSNY Welcomes Blancpain as a Sponsor

New York City - October 23, 2019

Furthering the Horological Society of New York’s (HSNY) educational mission, Swiss watch manufacturer Blancpain has joined as a sponsor. The brand’s generous support will enhance America’s oldest watchmaking guild in their 153-year-long monthly lecture series, international horological education classes, annual watchmaking scholarships, and ever-growing horological library.

HSNY deeply thanks Blancpain for their support in helping advance the art and science of horology!

About Blancpain 

Founded in 1735 by Jehan-Jacques Blancpain in the Swiss Jura, Blancpain is known as the world’s oldest watch brand. Loyal to its tradition of innovation and confirmed by countless horological complications invented over the years, the Manufacture is constantly pushing the boundaries of watchmaking to take this art to places where it has never been before.

Embodying a long-term vision, this commitment to the revival of mechanical horology is expressed through the passing on of invaluable expertise from one generation to the next, along with regular investments in human resources, production technologies and research.  

Thanks to its constant stream of innovations and its complete mastery of the manufacturing process, Blancpain benefits from a total creative freedom. With a high proportion of its components and tools designed and made in-house, trained specialists and craftsmen, manual assembly of each movement by a single watchmaker, and refined finishes performed entirely by hand right down to the finest hidden details, the strength of the Manufacture lies in its capacity to create timepieces that are at once innovative and loyal to the grand Swiss watchmaking tradition. This philosophy is conveyed through each of the brand’s creations and all its collections, including the classic Villeret timepieces, the legendary Fifty Fathoms diver’s watch, the dainty Women models and the one-of-a-kind Métiers d'Art pieces.

Official website: https://www.blancpain.com

About the Horological Society of New York

Founded in 1866, the Horological Society of New York (HSNY) is one of the oldest continuously operating horological associations in the world. Today, HSNY is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the art and science of horology through education. Members are a diverse mix of watchmakers, clockmakers, executives, journalists, auctioneers, historians, salespeople and collectors, reflecting the rich nature of horology in New York City.

Official website: http://hs-ny.org

Upcoming Lecture: A Life of Independent Horology

Join HSNY on Monday, November 4, 2019 for a lecture on A Life of Independent Horology, by David E. Walter, F.B.H.I., Independent Horologist & Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, Santa Barbara, California.

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What does it mean to be independent in the world of horology? There are many answers to this question, from brands that are vertically integrated, to smaller companies with limited production. The strictest definition is one watch or clock maker, working alone to make their own timepieces. At the November 4, 2019, meeting of the Horological Society of New York, David E. Walter will lecture on his experiences working as an independent horologist. Walter certainly meets the strict definition of an independent horologist. A Liveryman of London's Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, Walter lives and works in Santa Barbara, California. From Perth to London, Vienna to Perth, then to California, Walter will provide insights on what it takes to be a truly independent horologist in today's world.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

Free tickets are required to attend.

Meeting Recap: Project A11: How Can A Small Family Business Afford to Design and Produce A Proprietary Watch Movement?

Maria & Richard Habring, Founders of  Habring Uhrentechnik OG Völkermarkt, Austria
October 7, 2019

Video recordings of lectures are available to members immediately (using your membership password), and to the general public with a 2 month delay.

Coming all the way from Austria for the October lecture at the Horological Society of New York, Maria and Richard Habring, founders of Habring², gave their perspective on how an independent company like theirs manages to establish a proprietary mechanical movement.

Habring² was able to purchase small orders of movements and spare parts that were graciously provided by ETA. However, when ETA decided to stop selling their product, more specifically spare parts, Habring² was taken by surprise when they asked ETA to explain their public stance on selling spare parts only to ‘brands’. Here is Richard’s brief rendition of the conversation:

H2: Why are you not selling parts to us?
ETA: It’s simple…you’re not a brand.
H2: Okay. What makes for ETA a brand?
ETA: A brand buys at least a hundred movements of one type per year at ETA. Whether it is a mechanical movement or a quartz movement.
H2: Yes, but you don’t sell us mechanical movements.
ETA: Yes, but you can buy quartz movements.
H2: But why should we buy quartz movements?
ETA: That’s not our problem.

So, Habring² had to look for alternatives. Even though Sellita had the parts that Habring² could use, Sellita’s capacity had yet to be established - it would take 18 months and full payment made up front. Naturally, the Sellita arrangement was not going to fly with Habring². It was then that Maria decided that the company would create their own movement.

It needs to be noted that the consequences of ETA’s decision also affected suppliers. For example, one of ETA’s former partners, Ultra, reached out to Habring² to establish a reliable partnership and expand their skills since they no longer supplied winding stems for ETA. Ultra now makes all of Habring²’s rotating parts such as the pinions. The importance of supplier partnerships is extremely important for Habring². There are about 25 suppliers that work with the brand, so much so that the partnerships are described as The Habring² Suppliers Family with the following principles: Sustainability, Reliability, Responsibility, Short distances (between Austria, Switzerland, Germany), Fairness, and “Give and Take”.

Finally, Habring was able to create its first movement: Calibre A11. The movement then evolved into the Calibre A11B which had a total of 99 components. To date, the A11 movement has brought about eight configurations to the Habring² collection:

• A11B (Base) in the Felix

• A11S (Second) in the Erwin

• A11F (Foudroyante) in the Foudroyante Felix

• A11C (Chrono) in the Chrono-Felix

• A11COS (Chrono COS) in the COS Felix

• A11R (Rattrapante) in the Doppel-Felix

• A11P (Perpetual) in the Perpetual-Doppel

• A11D90 (Repeater) in the Felix-Repeater

HSNY thanks Maria and Richard Habring for their fascinating lecture!

Photography by Atom Moore
Submitted by Melody Benloss, HSNY Librarian & Recording Secretary

HSNY’s Traveling Education Marches to Washington, D.C. in the Name of Horological Education

The Horological Society of New York (HSNY), America’s oldest watchmaking guild, founded in 1866, is marching to the nation’s capital in the name of horological education. 

On October 12 & 13, 2019, HSNY will visit Washington, D.C. in conjunction with District Time 2019, a two-day watch show which is free and open to the public.

Throughout the weekend, HSNY’s staff of professional watchmakers will teach the Society’s award-winning Horology 101-103 classes, which include lessons in movement mechanics, gear training, winding and setting. Classes will be graciously hosted by McDowell Time and The Time Bum at the District Architecture Center, a spacious, modern venue in the heart of Penn Quarter.  

Tickets are selling fast and can be purchased via HSNY’s Eventbrite page. Sales are directly reinvested into HSNY’s ongoing educational mission to advance the art and science of horology. See you there!

Welcoming New HSNY Members, September 2019

Our global reach is expanding with international memberships!

HSNY would like to welcome the following new members. It is only with our member's support that we are able to continue flourishing as America's oldest watchmaking guild and advancing the art and science of horology every day. 

• Ang Cui, NY

• Aram Gharapetian, NY

• Donald Saff, MD

• Georges Weyer, Luxembourg

• Renaud Selmes, NY

• Richard Farino, Washington, D.C.

• Sarosh Mody, India

Upcoming Lecture: Project A11: How Can A Small Family Business Afford to Design and Produce A Proprietary Watch Movement?

Join HSNY on Monday, October 7, 2019 for a lecture on Project A11: How Can A Small Family Business Afford to Design and Produce A Proprietary Watch Movement? By Maria & Richard Habring, Founders of  Habring Uhrentechnik OG Völkermarkt, Austria. 

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Maria and Richard Habring's approach to manufacturing affordable, high quality mechanical watches in small series contrasts with their former jobs working for large watch companies. At the beginning of their brand, Habring², they relied on outsourced movements and components. But with the Swatch Group / ETA beginning to restrict supply of movements to third parties, Habring² needed to begin manufacturing their own movements. In 2014 on the tenth anniversary of the brand, they presented the Felix, powered by their proprietary A11 movement. At the October 7, 2019, meeting of the Horological Society of New York, Maria and Richard Habring will discuss how Habring² developed the A11 movement, from conception to final design. The Habrings will not only speak about the technical development process, but also the financial aspects of developing a mechanical watch movement.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

Meeting Recap: Simon Willard Eight-Day Clocks: In Search of the Finely-Divided Trade, 1785-1825

Robert C. Cheney, Executive Director of the Willard House and Clock Museum
September 10, 2019

Video recordings of lectures are available to members immediately (using your membership password), and the general public with a 2 month delay.

Returning from the summer break, the Horological Society of New York started the September lecture series with an overlooked facet of clockmaking: making a good living and the many trades involved in clock production. Those facets were discussed by Robert C. Cheney, Executive Director of the Willard House and Clock Museum (located in North Grafton, Massachusetts) with a lecture titled “Simon Willard Eight-Day Clocks: In Search of the Finely-Divided Trade, 1785-1825”. 

Known for his painted dials from Birmingham, England, Willard made 1,585 Eight-Day clocks - an incredible amount given that other clockmakers such as the Domini family made about 50 clocks in a 20-year period.

But how was Willard able to do it? Well, there’s clockmaking the traditional way and there’s clockmaking as a successful business, explains Cheney. The traditional way is when the clockmaker makes every part such as the templates, hands, weights, cases, etc., just like George Daniels did with his watchmaking. Willard took advantage of utilizing Peter Stubbs, a merchant who imported parts from Liverpool (the largest city port at the time), wherein Willard put the parts together and stamped his name on the product. Liverpool also had a significant number of clock workshops. Half of the workshops were attached to households which were mostly identified by the tell-tale bank of windows to let in natural light. There were around 17 different trades to make a clock - to name a few - spring maker, wheel cutter, brass founder, and the clocksmith for iron and steel work. As a side note, when it came to pinions, they had to be made out of high quality steel. Sheffield, England had the highest quality steel at the time and it was quite noticeable when low quality American steel was used.

Another interesting aspect is that Cheney made a reference to Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations” on how the story of the clock is like the story of the 18th century common pin. There are 18 operations to make the common pin in which there are distinct different trades.

There were other individuals that Cheney mentioned, such as the likes of John McFarlane, Aaron Willard and the thousands of undocumented journeymen that worked on different aspects of a clock. It was amazing to realize how many people were involved in producing one item such the humble clock.

HSNY thanks Robert Cheney for his fascinating lecture!

Photography by Atom Moore
Submitted by Melody Benloss, HSNY Librarian & Recording Secretary

Hollywood Meets Horology: A Century-Old Society Comes to Life With the Help of Actor Aldis Hodge

Although the Horological Society of New York has been quietly thriving for the last 153 years, it doesn’t hurt to have some hollywood starpower become its voice.

Since 1866, HSNY has been the go-to guild for watchmakers, beginning in New York City and now with an international membership and presence. As HSNY expands, it’s important to let all horology enthusiasts know the many avenues in which they can take advantage of our resources, from monthly lecture series, multiple weekday classes and a rapidly-growing international traveling education program.

The horological community has proven to have strength in numbers, and when passionate individuals come together that’s when HSNY is able to advance the art and science of horology. Aldis Hodge, an actor and horological engineer (not to mention collector), joined HSNY back in 2016 and has been a friend and member since.

“I believe the continued education and exploration of horology/horological art is a necessary asset to appreciating our time for what it truly is: one of the greatest sources of wealth we all share on this earth. Understanding the value of how we choose to show and tell time reinforces our appreciation of how we get to spend that time - be it with loved ones, pursuing our greatest passions, exploring new experiences, etc.”

— Aldis Hodge

When Hodge isn’t busy filming award-nominated movies and television shows, horology comes to the forefront and becomes the star. HSNY is grateful for Hodge who devoted his time and talent to immortalize HSNY on the screen.

We hope you enjoy our video on America’s oldest watchmaking guild - starring Aldis Hodge, of course - and discover the limitless possibilities that come with joining HSNY!

(L-R) HSNY President Nicholas Manousos, HSNY Executive Director Edwin M. Hydeman and Aldis Hodge attend the 2019 Gala & Charity Auction.

In The (Paris) News: Paris Junior College Watchmaking Students Get High Level Education

Earlier this year, the Horological Society of New York (HSNY) made history by making its first donation to an American horological institution - the watchmaking program at Paris Junior College.

Together with the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute, HSNY pledged $20,000 to Paris Junior College at a critical time when only nine full-time watchmaking schools remain in the US.

Today, the watchmaking program is thriving and paving the way for the next generation of watchmakers. Last week, The Paris News, a newspaper based in Paris, Texas, where the college is located, featured a front-page article on the flourishing courses taught by Paris Junior College Watchmaking Instructor Stanley McMahan. HSNY is proud to help advance the art and science of horology and wishes all students continued success.

Read the full story here!

Keeping up with the times (The Paris News)

Welcoming New HSNY Members, July & August 2019

HSNY would like to welcome the following new members. It is only with our member's support that we are able to continue flourishing as America's oldest watchmaking guild, advancing the art and science of horology every day. 

HSNY members mingling after at our last lecture with Grand Seiko.

• Corey McAuliffe, NY

• Ekaterina Dubovitskaya, NY

• Eric Root, FL

• Evan Embrey, CA

• Ivan Kosnyrev, NY

• Jason Baker, NJ

• Jason Rogart, NJ

• Jay B. Stambler, NY

• Kenneth Hull, NY

• Kevin J. Brown, NJ

• Leonardo Laviola, NJ

• Maryhelen Jones, NM

• Nathan Kim, GA

• Nicholas DePetrillo, CA

• Noah Lesser, FL

• Paul MacLeman, Australia

• Pervees Faisal Islam, Canada

• Scott Bluni, NY

• Sean Lynch, AZ

• Trudy Maurer, CA

• Val Schaffner, NY

HSNY Hires First Full-Time Employee

HSNY's growing staff celebrates at the 2019 Gala & Charity Auction. (L-R) Carolina Navarro, Director of Public Relations & Marketing; Ed Hydeman, Executive Director; and Rhonda Critelli, Executive Assistant.

HSNY’s staff is growing: 

Ed Hydeman, HSNY’s Executive Director, is pleased to announce that our staff is growing. In the summer of 2019 he hired HSNY's first full time employee, Carolina Navarro, as Director of Public Relations and Marketing. Carolina comes to us with a degree in journalism and 6 years experience in public relations. She has been an invaluable addition to our wonderful team.

In addition to Carolina, Rhonda Critelli works part time as Ed’s Executive Assistant, Steve Eagle as Director of Education, and Nathan Bobinchak as our resident clockmaker and as an instructor. New additions will be announced soon.

HSNY Traveling Education Returns to Detroit, Orange County & San Francisco

Rooted in the heart of Manhattan, the Horological Society of New York (HSNY), America’s oldest watchmaking guild, founded in 1866, is branching out with return trips to Detroit, Orange County and San Francisco in the coming months.

If you missed the opportunity to play watchmaker for a day, now is the time to sign up and discover what makes a watch tick with classes taught by professional watchmakers from America’s original horological Society.

HSNY’s Traveling Education will slowly head west with the following schedule:

• September 14 & 15: Detroit hosted by StockX

• September 28 & 29: Orange County hosted by A. Lange & Söhne

• October 5 & 6: San Francisco hosted by Shreve & Co.

Each four-hour course offers hands-on experience with the disassembly and reassembly of an ETA 6497 movement, complemented by HSNY’s Horology 101-103 lessons - movement mechanics, gear training, and winding & setting, respectively. Classes are designed for any level of enthusiast as no prior experience is required.

Beginning Saturday, September 14, through Sunday, September 15, HSNY Traveling Education hosts will aid in the Society’s goal of advancing the art and science of horology through teaching. The nonprofit will visit Detroit first, hosted by StockX at Globe Tobacco Building, the oldest surviving tobacco manufactory in Detroit and a National Register of Historic Places site.

Next up, HSNY will head to the Golden State where classes will be hosted on Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29 by A. Lange & Söhne at The Westin South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

Finally, HSNY’s certified instructors will welcome fall in San Francisco alongside fine jewelry & timepieces company, Shreve & Co., in their flagship showroom on Post Street.

Visit HSNY’s Eventbrite page for tickets, class schedules and locations. All sales are directly reinvested into HSNY’s ongoing educational mission.