HSNY Awards $55,000 in Financial Aid to Further Watchmaking in the United States

New York - April 1, 2020

Established in 1866 by a small group of German emigres, the Horological Society of New York (HSNY) is America’s oldest watchmaking guild. Today, HSNY operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to advance the art and science of horology.

Throughout its 154-year existence, HSNY has created educational programs and established scholastic awards to ensure that the future of horology is bright. As the world battles the coronavirus pandemic and the watchmaking industry faces uncertainty, HSNY is investing in the future with $55,000 in grants - its largest pledge yet. 

HSNY now introduces the Howard Robbins Award, a grant for watchmaking schools created to complement the Henry B. Fried Scholarship for watchmaking students. Howard Robbins (1950-2020) was a professional in the world of timepieces for nearly 40 years and recently passed away in March 2020. The Howard Robbins Award is intended to foster Robbins’ professional rigor, love of people and belief in education within the watchmaking community.

The 2020 recipients of the Howard Robbins Award are the Veterans Watchmaker Initiative in Delaware ($15,000), the only technical school devoted to disabled veterans in the U.S., and Paris Junior College’s Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology in Texas ($10,000), established in 1942 to provide industry job training.

Additionally, HSNY awards $30,000 to six watchmaking students through its Henry B. Fried Scholarship. Named after a former HSNY president and a prolific author in the field of watchmaking once described by The New York Times as “the dean of American watchmakers”, the Henry B. Fried Scholarship was established in 2017 and aims to help watchmaking students succeed in every way. This year, HSNY received applications from more than half of all watchmaking students in the U.S. and is doubling the number of scholarship recipients from 2019. Six watchmaking students will each receive $5,000 to help cover the cost of watchmaking tools and living expenses. The 2020 recipients of the Henry B. Fried Scholarship are:

• Brandan Cloos (Lititz Watch Technicum, Pennsylvania)

• Gordon Hyde (Veterans Watchmaker Initiative, Delaware)

• Brian Kruppenbacher (Paris Junior College - Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology, Texas)

• Raluca Markow (Patek Philippe Institute, New York)

• Nichelle Nguyen (North American Institute of Swiss Watchmaking, Texas)

• Jared Troy (Paris Junior College - Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology, Texas)

Class of 2020

“The Henry B. Fried Scholarship aims to alleviate costs associated with horological education,” said Nicholas Manousos, HSNY president. “We are thrilled to have received so many applications and personal stories about what horology means to future watchmakers.”

Award recipients are usually honored at HSNY’s annual spring Gala & Charity Auction which helps the nonprofit raise funds to advance the art and science of horology. This year’s gala has been postponed to Wednesday, August 5 due to the coronavirus. Many of the scholarship winners will be present at the gala to join in the celebration.

HSNY's Henry B. Fried Scholarship Recipients to Be Announced April 1

Horological Society of New York past president Henry B. Fried instructing students on lathe work. (Photo credit: The Brooklyn Public Library — Brooklyn Collection)

Earlier this year HSNY announced that all full-time watchmakers in the United States were eligible to apply for the Henry B. Fried Scholarship.

After weeks of review and deliberation by our board of trustees, HSNY has chosen the deserving recipients for 2020.

Henry B. Fried Scholarship recipients will be announced on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 via a press release and article on the HSNY website. Stay tuned!

Welcoming New HSNY Members, March 2020

We miss you and hope to reunite soon!

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

• Adam J. Lucente, NY

• Albert Billeci, NY

• Andra Reardon, NJ

• Artem Vaynman, NY

• Brad Schwartz, NY

• Brian P. Quinn, NY

• Caitlyn Bazemore, NY

• Cameron Ferrante, NY

• Carlos Navarro, NY

• Claus Fadum Nissen, Denmark

• Conor Bennett, NY

• Daniel You, NY

• David Phantana, NY

• Debbie Davis, NY

• Enrico Bova, IL

• Eric Kwan Tai Lau, NY

• Evan Roklen, CA

• Frank Arcaro, CT

• Frank Malvezzi, PA

• Gary Luks, NJ

• Gerard Joseph Connolly, MA

• Gordon Grieve, NY

• Gus Puryear, TN

• Hubert Kolka, NY

• Ian Reardon, NJ

• Jason Gong, NJ

• Jessica Owens, NY

• Joe Chulick, WA

• John Bryant, MD

• John Mrozowski, NY

• Jon Catanio, NY

• Joseph Dayan, NY

• Joseph Zagami, NJ

• Kevin Litchfield, NY

• Leon Fischman, NY

• Mark Jungers, WI

• Marshall Chandler, NY

• Michael John Mimmo, NY

• Michael Liebowitz, CT

• Michael Wang, NY

• Miguel De Luis, Geneva

• Murali T. Bolla, NY

• Nick Humphries, NY

• Olivier Sicouri, Australia

• Patrick Ma, NJ

• Philip Fishbane, TX

• Philip Meier, London

• Rich Pinto, NY

• Richard Davis, NY

• Richard Thomas, NY

• Robert Younger, NY

• Russ Chow, NY

• Scott Hall, FL

• Sebastian Ruiz, NY

• Sevket Halil, NY

• Sundeep Gokaraju, NY

• Tarique Chaudhary, NY

• Thomas Lubeck, NY

• Timothy P. Queenan, NY

• Tod Schuck, NJ

• Vinny Naro, FL

• Vlad Shendelman, NY

• Zachary Landzberg, NJ

HSNY Celebrates Its 154th Anniversary Today

Dear Friends,

Watches and clocks are not particularly important right now, but our relationship with time is. Public health has become the focus of the world as the coronavirus pandemic continues to change our lives. A rapidly changing world can also cause us to focus on the short term rather than the distant future. Recognizing this and taking a break from the present can be a healthy diversion. With that being said, let me take you back to March 26, 1866.

The Horological Society of New York (HSNY) was founded on March 26, 1866, by George Schmidt and Frederick Ruoff, two watchmakers working in what we today call the Financial District of Manhattan. For a moment, consider New York in 1866. There was no Empire State Building or Brooklyn Bridge. The subway did not exist and the Statue of Liberty would not appear in New York Harbor for another 20 years. New York was a very different place then compared to now, but some things are still the same. New York is still a thriving city, a financial center, an architectural masterpiece, and a state of mind.

Today is HSNY's 154th anniversary. Last year at this time, the HSNY team was busy with last-minute preparations for our annual Gala & Charity Auction, which we hold every year in April. This year, for the first time in HSNY's history, our Gala has been postponed. But even with that necessary change, some things are still the same. On April 1, HSNY will award its 2020 Henry B. Fried Scholarships.

For 154 years, HSNY's dedication to its educational mission has also stayed the same. Generations of horologists before us worked to ensure this would happen, guiding the organization through the 1918 flu pandemic, Great Depression and both World Wars. HSNY will continue to serve watchmakers, clockmakers, and the interested public during this current crisis and into the future. HSNY is only able to do this because of our dedicated members worldwide and growing list of corporate sponsors. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated, and I look forward to seeing you soon at a lecture, class, or the Gala!

Sincerely,
Nicholas Manousos
President, Horological Society of New York

HSNY Gala & Charity Auction Postponed to August 5

Dear Members & Friends,

As you are all aware, the Horological Society of New York is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the health of our members as the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread.

Our Gala & Charity Auction will be postponed to August 5, 2020. The venue remains the same, and tickets already purchased are valid for August 5. In the meantime, we wish you good health and we look forward to celebrating in the near future. 

Meeting Recap: The Phenomenon of Resonance

François-Paul Journe, Founder of Montres Journe, Geneva, Switzerland
Osama Sendi, Founder of TheJourneGuy.com, Toronto, Canada
Pierre Halimi, General Manager of Montres Journe North America (translation)
March 2, 2020

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

A full house was eagerly awaiting the start of the March lecture at the Horological Society of New York. François-Paul Journe, Founder of Montres Journe, along with Osama Sendi, Founder of TheJourneGuy.com, presented their topic on the phenomenon of resonance: what it is, its history and its application in horology.

Sendi started the lecture with the three key terms that are necessary to understand the concept of resonance: amplitude, frequency and natural frequency. A wine glass being shattered by a human voice, for instance, is a common example of natural frequency. The history began with Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695), the Dutch scientist who invented the pendulum clock in 1656 and first observed the occurrence of resonance. However, the first application goes to Antide Janvier (1751-1835) the royal clockmaker to Louis XVIII who created three clocks: Double Pendulum Long Case Clock No. 400, Double Pendulum Wall regulator No. 453 and the Coupling Regulator No. 470. Then, Abraham-Louis Breguet (1741-1823) tested the phenomenon in clocks: Breguet No.3177, Breguet No. 3671 and then pocket watches: Breguet Nos. 2788, 2794 and 2667.

Finally, Sendi introduced François-Paul Journe to the podium along with Pierre Halimi, General Manager of Montres Journe North America, who assisted as Journe’s translator. Journe touched upon his life, experience and apprenticeship, and explained the connection with the pendulum and resonance which was exemplified by the Breguet No. 3177 Clock. He continued to explain his creation of movements that resulted in the 1998 debut of his resonance wristwatch. Incidentally, the engraved word "resonance" on his debut piece was misspelled with a double n: "resonnance". In 2000, he created the F.P.Journe Chronometre a Resonance. Journe stated that the timepiece had to have no variation, it needed to be impeccable — the settings had to be precise. That type of drive is not surprising from a watchmaker, let alone a legendary watchmaker. Journe strongly believes that one can always get a step closer to perfection.

HSNY thanks François-Paul Journe, Osama Sendi and Pierre Halimi for their fascinating lecture!

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

Welcoming New HSNY Members, February 2020

Cheers to those who joined us for the February 2020 lecture!

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

• Aashdin Billimoria, India

• Alan LaMielle, CO

• Alex Rodriguez, NY

• Andrew Lyons, NY

• Brian Dickover, IN

• Christopher Nixon, PA

• Christopher Rowley, NY

• Darren Cole, CA

• Eddie Landzberg, NJ

• Gregory Boguslavsky, NY

• Howard Sklamberg, Washington, D.C.

• Jeff Horowitz, NY

• Jeffrey Stein, GA

• John Metelski, NY

• Jonathan Sobey, Singapore

• Joseph Ramirez, OH

• Junteng Zheng, NY

• Lesley Hines, FL

• Matty Feldman, CT

• Nicolas Macchiavello C., Chile

• Paul Daeninck, Canada

• Philip A. Shearer, NY

• Sam Cannan, DE

• Scott Starr, IL

• Thomas Hass Augustsen, NJ

• Travis A. Carreno, NY

Upcoming Lecture: The Phenomenon of Resonance

Join HSNY on Monday, March 2, 2020 for a lecture on the phenomenon of resonance, presented by François-Paul Journe, Founder of Montres Journe, Geneva, Switzerland & Osama Sendi, Founder of TheJourneGuy.com, Toronto, Canada.

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The phenomenon of resonance can be traced back nearly three centuries within the history of horology and has been shrouded in mystery for most of this time. Discovered centuries ago and understood by only a very small handful of watchmakers since, it is no surprise that it remains a topic of controversy. How can two objects suspended in free motion possibly synchronize themselves and better the performance of a timekeeper? At the March 2, 2020, meeting of the Horological Society of New York, François-Paul Journe and Osama Sendi will discuss the history of resonance in horology, its discovery, development and Mr. Journe’s creation of the first modern Resonance wristwatch in 2000.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

Free tickets are required to attend.

Attn. Watchmaking Students - HSNY's Henry B. Fried Scholarships Is Now Accepting Applications

HSNY's Director of Education Steve Eagle and President Nicholas Manousos pose with the 2019 recipients of the Henry B. Fried Scholarship - Nural Amin, Aleksandra Halic & Gerard Connolly.

HSNY is proud to announce that the 2020 Henry B. Fried Scholarship application period is now live.

The Henry B. Fried Scholarship was created in 2017 in honor of Mr. Fried, one of America’s most recognized authorities in the field of horology and a former HSNY President (1954-1955). While most watchmaking schools in the United States are free and tuition is covered by a sponsoring brand, professional watchmaking tools and living expenses are not covered.

Any student who has been accepted to or is currently studying at a full-time watchmaking school in the U.S. is eligible for the Henry B. Fried Scholarship. Prospective students may also apply, with the understanding that the scholarship is contingent on their enrollment at a full-time watchmaking school. Scholarship recipients will be awarded at HSNY's Gala & Charity Auction, taking place in New York City on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Awards up to $10,000 are available.

To apply, students should email a letter (PDF) to the Trustees of the Horological Society of New York that includes a biography, explanation of their motivation to study watchmaking and an explanation of how this scholarship would benefit the applicant. A resume is required, and reference letters are recommended.

The application deadline is Sunday, March 1, 2020. Don't delay!

To learn more about the Henry B. Fried Scholarship and to read the full qualifications, please visit http://hs-ny.org/scholarship/.

Now Available: Tickets to the HSNY 154th Anniversary Gala & Charity Auction, April 1

Join us as we celebrate 154 years of New York's horological tradition on Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

Our most celebrated night of the year will be held at the Manhattan Penthouse, an incredible venue with panoramic views of the New York City skyline. Guests will have the opportunity to celebrate the year's horological accomplishments, toast to HSNY's 154th anniversary and mingle with industry leaders and fellow enthusiasts.

Once again, we are pleased to host our highly-anticipated charity auction, presented by Christie's. A selection of extraordinary timepieces, exceptional experiences and horological miscellanea will be up for sale, with all proceeds benefitting HSNY's ongoing educational programs.

The 2020 HSNY Gala & Charity Auction will commence with cocktail hour from 6-7PM, with premium open bar and passed hors d'oeuvres, followed by a seated dinner. The suggested attire is business formal.

HSNY to Teach Watch Courses in Melbourne, Australia Hosted by the Hour Glass

The Horological Society of New York (HSNY), America’s oldest watchmaking guild, founded in 1866, is crossing a fourth continent off its Traveling Education list with a trip to Melbourne, Australia on February 29 and March 1, 2020. 

Serving as one of the oldest continuously operating horological associations in the world, the 154-year-old Society stands today as a nonprofit with the mission to advance the art and science of horology. Armed with a curriculum of Horology 101 through 103, a team of professional watchmakers, and portable ergonomic watch benches, HSNY will go from the Big Apple to Down Under in the name of horology.

HSNY’s award-winning classes will be hosted by The Hour Glass, a world-leading specialty luxury watch retail group with boutiques in key retail corridors throughout the Asia Pacific region. During each four-hour course, eight students will disassemble and reassemble a complete mechanical watch movement (ETA 6497) and find out what makes a watch tick. The hands-on experience will allow watch enthusiasts to go beyond scratching the surface of horological education, learning the proper usage of watchmaking tools and gaining insight to the terminology and theories of modern horology. Steve Eagle, HSNY’s Director of Education, will guide students through the fundamentals of movement mechanics, gear training, and winding and setting.

For the first time in Traveling Education history, HSNY will also collaborate with a regional media partner - Australian watch media publisher Time+Tide. As the country faces critical times, HSNY is honored to match The Hour Glass’s donation of a ticket to participate in the lauded Traveling Education courses. Both tickets will be raffled at Time+Tide’s Watch & Act! World Watch Auction Wrap Party with all proceeds from ticket sales going to the Bushfire Appeal.

Classes hosted by The Hour Glass will be held at The Westin Melbourne - just a few feet away from the boutique - on Saturday, February 29 and Sunday, March 1, 2020. Watchmaking tools and ergonomic benches will be provided for the duration of each course. No prior experience is required.

Visit HSNY’s Eventbrite page for tickets and times. Any profit from sales is directly reinvested into HSNY’s ongoing educational mission. 

For more information about the Horological Society of New York, please visit http://hs-ny.org. 
To learn more about The Hour Glass, visit https://www.thehourglass.com/.
To learn more about Time+Tide, visit https://timeandtidewatches.com/.

Meeting Recap: Horological Homecoming: The Hidden History of WWII Watches

Cole Pennington, Editor at HODINKEE
February 3, 2020

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

A large crowd was at hand to attend the much-anticipated lecture from Cole Pennington, Editor at HODINKEE, for the February 2020 installment of HSNY’s lecture series. To start the lecture, Pennington referenced a book by Roman Mars titled “Always Read the Plaque” as a way to explain the unique information that building plaques display when people pass by. It is this idea that Pennington believes watch enthusiasts/collectors should adopt: always read the case back. And also, what are the circumstances on how we retrieve a World War II watch in the first place?

Before touching upon the WWII watches, Pennington referred WWI timepieces that were touted as trench watches. The two inscribed caseback examples that he showed were the USAS (United States Air Service) 1917 and the L Taggart 1916. Mineral glass covered the dial with ornate metal coverings to protect the glass from shrapnel. Inscriptions were not only for memory’s sake - they also served the unfortunate purpose of identification in case anything went wrong.  

So how did Pennington come across the military watch collection that he covered in detail on HODINKEE? Not only does Pennington have an interest in watches - he’s also interested in aviation. The P-51 Mustang plane named “Kwitcherbitchin” was making an appearance at a WWII Day re-enactment event in Reading, Pennsylvania. Since re-enactors are detail-oriented, they need true period timepieces. Pennington came across a gentleman who was selling some of his 40-year-old military watch collection at the event. The common pieces found were Army Ordnance Dept (ORD DEPT) watches that were used by infantry, and then issued to all the branches of service, of which the A-11 wristwatch was mainly made for the Army Air Corp.

Here’s what Pennington chose to highlight from the collection and the inscriptions that were on the casebacks:

• Watch #1

  • Brand: Elgin

  • Inscription: To the Heroic People of the USSR - Russian War Relief

• Watch #2

  • Brand: Active Service

  • Inscription: To Lieut. A.C. Jones RCNR From Royal Sovereign Sea Cadet Corps Sault Ste Marie 1941

• Watch #3

  • Brand: Elgin (Army Ordnance Watch)

  • Inscription: W.H. Croner, LT. U.S.N. 309657

• Watch #4

  • Brand: Hamilton

  • Inscription: Lt. G.C. Fullenkamp Best Wishes From Your Fed. Mach. & Welder Co. Friends

• Watch #5

  • Brand: Elgin De Luxe

  • Inscription: To Pike Beall From Co-Workers Edgewood Arsenal 1942

• Watch #6

  • Brand: Orvin

  • Inscription: Maj. T.G. Brown Dec 25 1940 Edmonton Fusiliers

• Watch #7

  • Brand: Belmar

  • Inscription: Todd 3-23-46 F CO. 32 Infantry

• Watch #8

  • Brand: Active Service

  • Inscription: J.R. McDowell R192429 R.C.A.F.

If you’re curious about the significance of the inscriptions, the video replay gives a well-researched explanation of these incredible timepieces.

HSNY thanks Cole Pennington for his fascinating lecture!

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

Welcoming New HSNY Members, January 2020

Thumbs up for new members in 2020!

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. 

• Andras Balla, NY

• Arnando Peralta, NY

• Ashish Ashwin Gajjar, CA

• Brian Nigito, NY

• Danny Avizov, NJ

• Emily Pazar, NY

• Fred Suh, NY

• Galen Disston, WA

• Greg Cromwell, NY

• Jasmin Ibrahim, NY

• Jason Totoiu, FL

• John P. Magnussen, CA

• Kent Shelley, CT

• Logan Clark, CO

• Michael T. Cavalier, NJ

• Michael Wist, NY

• Nancy B. Adler, NY

• Renato Teixeira, FL

• Ricardo Sime, NY

• Robert Gach, NY

• Ronald Bernstein, NJ

• Scott Devine, MO

• Sumei Shum, Singapore

• Terry W. Beach, IL

• William Andrewes, MA

Upcoming Lecture: Horological Homecoming: The Hidden History of WWII Watches

Join HSNY on Monday, February 3, 2020 for a lecture on the hidden history of World War II watches, presented by HODINKEE editor Cole Pennington.

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Most of the time we don’t even consider it, but a single line of text on the caseback of a watch can tell us so much about where it’s been and what it may have seen. It can add context to the marks in the case and the patina on the dial. Watches have stories to tell, and in this case, a small bit of info can unravel fascinating accounts about the watches and the people who wore them during WWII. 

Last July, Cole Pennington published an article that chronicled the tale of buying a watch at a fair and using the caseback engravings to get it back to where it belonged -- the next of kin of the original owner. This specific watch was involved in the grim and desperate business that was the Battle Of The Atlantic, and the mission concluded with placing the watch in a museum in Canada. A number of other watches led to dead ends, and no further information could be found -- until he received an anonymous email that included a few key pieces of missing information that started the search back up. At the Horological Society of New York (HSNY) lecture on February 3rd, Pennington will present detailed imagery and archival documents that bring to life the tales of those watches.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

*Free tickets are required to attend

HSNY Introduces Eneuri Acosta and Tania Edwards as New Trustees

New York City - January 16, 2020

The Horological Society of New York (HSNY) owes its start in 1866 to a small group of German emigres who established the watchmaking guild to represent their craft and fellow watchmakers following the Civil War. Fast forward 154 years and HSNY now thrives as America’s oldest watchmaking society, due in part to the dedication of its board of trustees.

Today, HSNY is pleased to introduce Eneuri Acosta, COO of HODINKEE, and Tania Edwards, luxury watch consultant at Collectability, as new trustees who will help mold the Society as it enters a new decade. Acosta and Edwards succeed HODINKEE’s CEO Benjamin Clymer and Patek Philippe watchmaker Daniel Mooncai whose five-year term limits have been fulfilled. 

Eneuri Acosta is the Chief Operating Officer of HODINKEE, ​the foremost destination for all things in the world of horology. He joined HODINKEE in 2017, bringing more than 10 years of communication, marketing and brand building experience to his role with the company. As COO, Enuri Acosta is responsible for overseeing the ongoing business operations and growth strategy across HODINKEE’s multiple disciplines which include editorial, technology, business development and advertising. Acosta has been instrumental in growing HODINKEE from a watch media outlet to a diversified commerce and content platform for some of the most well known watch brands in the world. Through his expertise, Acosta is helping to lead HODINKEE in changing the way individuals interact with not just watches, but luxury products as a whole.

Prior to HODINKEE, Eneuri was Global Manager of Marketing Communications for Cadillac. In his role, he developed and implemented communication and branding strategies to re-introduce the storied American brand to a 21st century consumer. Over the years, Acosta filled a number of key positions within Cadillac, managing brand communications that included campaigns for fashion and art partnerships, and the brand’s main advertising initiative, “Dare Greatly.”

Eneuri graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. He was born in the Dominican Republic and is fluent in Spanish.

Tania Edwards has 30 years of experience in the watch industry, mostly with Patek Philippe. Her career started on the PR agency side, promoting the 150th Anniversary of Patek Philippe which led to the offer of Marketing Director at the Henri Stern Agency (Patek Philippe USA), a position she held for ten years, eventually becoming Vice President. Her pivotal role in developing the global campaign, ‘You never actually own a Patek, you merely look after it for the next generation’ which is still running after 24 years, is testament to Tania’s deep understanding of how to appeal to the most discriminating customers. She remains a special projects consultant and content editor for Patek Philippe, Geneva, and still edits the award winning Patek Philippe Magazine, a position she has held for 24 years. More recently, Tania was global lead for the marketing of Christie’s Luxury division: Watches, Jewels, Wine and Handbags, followed by US Head of Marketing for the luxury British watch company Bremont. In December 2019, Tania joined Collectability and is thrilled to continue her Patek journey with her friend and colleague, John Reardon.

Meeting Recap: OMEGA Speedmaster: The Evolution of Calibers 321 and 861

Bernhard W. Stoeber, CW21
January 6, 2020

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

On January 6, Bernhard Stoeber kicked off the 2020 HSNY lecture series about the changes of the Omega Speedmaster chronograph Caliber 321 and Caliber 861.

Stoeber introduced the discussion with a brief history of the chronograph (including the Greek roots of the word - chrono = time / graphein = to write) and its association with key individuals such as George Graham, Nicolas Rieussec and Aldophe Nicole; and an explanation of why Valle de Joux was the cradle of complicated watchmaking due to its location, climate and people. Throughout the years, the chronograph experienced some notable changes:

• 1860s — Chronograph function under the dial

• 1880s — Chronograph function located on the movement side

• 1910 — First wristwatch chronograph with a one push button

• 1934 — Chronograph with two push buttons

The association of Omega and Lemania started in 1932 when Lemania joined SIHH (Societe Suisse de l’Industrie Horlogère) along with Tissot. In 1940, Omega stipulated that Lemania produce and develop a 27 mm chronograph with a minute and 12-hour counter. So, between 1941-1943, the calibers 27 (Omega 320 was only a minute counter) and 27CH (Omega 321 was a minute and 12-hour counter) were created.  Albert Piguet and John Hasler worked on the calculations, whereas Jacques Reymond provided the drawings.

Throughout the lecture, Stoeber pointed out the following events with the Omega chronograph:

• Evolution of the early Speedmaster - such as the 1959 Lollipop (Ref. CK 2998)

• The key changes of the CK 2998 reference

• Transition of the Speedmaster to Caliber 861

Then came the subject the audience was eagerly waiting for: Omega’s partnership with NASA. In 1964, NASA needed a standard issue chronograph for all of its manned space flights and sent a request to Hamilton, Omega, Rolex and Longine to submit 12 chronographs of the same model to undergo the following tests: Heat, Cold, Vacuum, Humidity, Corrosion, Shock, Acceleration, Decompression, Pressure, Vibrations and Sound. What was interesting is that Omega did not find out until a year later (from a magazine advertisement) that NASA had used their chronograph. Then each year, NASA would send about eight to 12 Speedmasters for servicing and calibration; in which Stoeber had the opportunity to work on as the final Quality Control at the Omega workshop.

HSNY thanks Bernhard Stoeber for his fascinating lecture!

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

HSNY Welcomes 2020 With New Sponsors

New York City - January 14, 2020

2019 was a monumental year for the Horological Society of New York (HSNY). America’s oldest watchmaking guild welcomed record-breaking crowds to their monthly lectures, expanded their global reach with traveling education, and raised more than $45,000 towards advancing the art and science of horology. 

Now, HSNY is kicking off 2020 with the addition of four new sponsors. HSNY’s support banner grows dramatically with the addition of Greubel Forsey, Ferdinand Berthoud, Watches of Switzerland and Collectability as sponsors.

HSNY’s newest sponsors directly help the nonprofit reach its goal of advancing the art and science of horology by continuing its sold-out monthly lecture series with industry leaders, enhancing educational initiatives - including developing horology courses in New York and internationally - as well as securing funds for HSNY’s Henry B. Fried Scholarship designed to support watchmaking students in the United States.

HSNY thanks Greubel Forsey, Ferdinand Berthoud, Watches of Switzerland and Collectability for their incredible support! 

About Greubel Forsey 

When Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey teamed up and launched Greubel Forsey in 2004 in La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland), they shared a common view that there was still room for creativity in the development of complications in watchmaking. Their goal was to improve the performance of existing complications but also to invent innovative mechanisms. Over the years, they have honed their creative approach to fine watchmaking. The technical and aesthetic aspects complement one another, giving rise to bold creations. Greubel Forsey creations have been honoured with many prizes and are presented each year at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva, which brings together some of the most prestigious watchmaking brands. Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey create around one hundred timepieces each year – which speaks volumes about the quality of their workmanship and attention to detail.

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

About Ferdinand Berthoud

At the initiative of Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, draws inspiration from the remarkable heritage of the Swiss master watchmaker Ferdinand Berthoud while giving it a remarkable contemporary twist. As Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, President of the new company points out: “We have sought to transpose what Ferdinand Berthoud might have created if he was living now.” Born in 1727 in the Val-de-Travers, Ferdinand Berthoud was one of the pioneers of marine chronometry, a discipline calling for extreme precision. A visionary watchmaker, daring researcher and acknowledged theoretician, he earned the title of “Master Horologist” in Paris in 1753, at the age of 26, and was to make an indelible imprint on history through his inventiveness and his talent for mechanics. His ultra-precise marine chronometers made it possible to calculate longitude to the nearest half-degree and to conduct the great scientific explorations and cartography campaigns of the 18th century. These horological feats earned him the much-envied title of Clockmaker and Mechanic by appointment to the French King and the French Navy under Louis XV.

The identity of the new timepieces produced by Chronométrie FERDINAND BERTHOUD stems from the considerable heritage of the Maison. These contemporary yet timeless watches are endowed with the signature touches embodying the excellence and the renown of the Berthoud dynasty. Precise, complex and elegantly understated, they symbolise the natural continuity of creations by Ferdinand Berthoud. Their innovative mechanical movement, entirely developed, produced and assembled in-house, displays a characteristic pillar-type structure graced with refined finishes and housed within a distinctive case.

Official website: https://www.ferdinandberthoud.ch

About Watches of Switzerland

The Watches of Switzerland Group is the UK’s largest watch retailer, operating in both the UK and US, comprising four prestigious brands, Goldsmiths (UK), Mappin & Webb (UK), Watches of Switzerland (UK and US) and Mayors (US), with complementary jewellery offering. The Watches of Switzerland Group has 129 core showrooms across the UK and US (which includes 20 dedicated mono-brand stores in partnership with Rolex, TAG Heuer, Omega and Breitling) and has a leading presence in Heathrow Airport with representation in Terminals 2,3,4 and 5 as well as five online transactional websites.

The Watches of Switzerland Group is proud to be the UK’s largest retailer for Rolex, Cartier, Omega, TAG Heuer and Breitling watches. Mappin & Webb holds Royal warrants as goldsmiths, silversmiths and jeweler to Her Majesty The Queen and silversmiths to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. The Mappin & Webb master jeweller has been Crown Jeweller, custodian of the Crown Jewels of Her Majesty The Queen since 2012.

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

About Collectability

Collectability LLC was founded in 2019 by John Reardon, a Patek Philippe expert and horological historian. John’s passion for fine timepieces started in his teens and he has since built a highly respected career in the watch industry working for Patek Philippe and at major auction houses.

The goal of Collectability is to give collectors at all levels, the knowledge they need to make informed decisions on buying and selling vintage and pre-owned Patek Philippe watches. Collectability strives to make the process transparent and enjoyable by providing engaging and in-depth information on its website www.collectability.com, as well as through the personal advice of John. Other leading industry experts, collectors and influencers also share their scholarship on the website making Collectability the perfect home for anyone obsessed with Patek Philippe.

Official website: https://collectability.com/ 

Welcoming New HSNY Members, December 2019

We hope you had a wonderful holiday season! Here’s to 2020! (Photo credit Ellen Wallop)

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. 

• Alex Ruthmann, OH

• Brian Standig, NJ

• Bruno Ferrari Faviero, CA

• Chris Doehlert, MA

• Christopher Petrone, VA

• Corey Menscher, NY

• Edward Shamosh, NY

• Gary Getz, CA

• Geoffrey Trenholme, WI

• George Yang, NY

• Giovanni Jagiello, CA

• Ilmo Eckhardt, Germany

• Jacob Gardner, NY

• Jacob Noes, NY

• Jake Lewis, NY

• James M. Stephens, NY

• Jeffrey Veit, NY

• Kyle Mathers, IL

• Matthew Shpuntoff, MD

• Michael Shanlikian, MI

• Murat Altun, NY

• Nolan Reed, GA

• Richard Freilich, NY

• Ryan Hopewell, NY

• TanTan Wang, NJ

• Tobias Patrick Wolf, United Kingdom

In The News: HSNY President Nicholas Manousos Chats With Business Insider

Last year was a great one for the Horological Society of New York and 2020 is already predicted to top it. We started on a high with a one-on-one interview with Business Insider, where HSNY President Nicholas Manousos shared tidbits about horology and a glimpse at HSNY’s inaugural loan exhibit, “Highlights of the Collection of Bob Frishman”. Thank you to Business Insider for featuring HSNY!

S2:E3 - Hourglasses And Sundials Are Handmade In Rome By A Time Artisan (Business Insider Today)

HSNY Announces Inaugural Loan Exhibit, Showcasing Jan-May 2020

HSNY’s inaugural exhibit, “Highlights of the Collection of Bob Frishman”, will be on show from January - May 2020. Photo credit Ellen Wallop.

Next time you visit the Horological Society of New York (HSNY) don’t be surprised if you see a new setup with clocks adorning the shelf-lined walls. For the first time in its 154 year history, HSNY is showcasing a loan exhibit with more than 45 items illustrating horology’s rich history. 

The inaugural exhibition, titled “Highlights of the Collection of Bob Frishman”, was graciously loaned by the eponymous Fellow of the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (NAWCC) and Chairman of the NAWCC Time Symposium Committee. Frishman also serves as a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers and is Founder and Owner of Bell-Time Clocks. 

The exhibition is currently on show at HSNY and features clocks, watches, portable pocket sundials, tools & instruments and ephemera dating as far back as 1784. Highlights include a Bedside Watch Display reportedly sold at the 1851 London Crystal Palace World’s Fair, a Clockwork Telegraph Register (c.1850) used for recording incoming telegraph signals later decoded by an operator, and a “Phonometer” used in 1918 to time costly telephone calls of the era. 

Bob Frishman shares the spotlight with his collection. Photo credit Ellen Wallop.

“My hope is that visitors will find the exhibit interesting, unusual and educational,” said Frishman, who submerged himself in the world of horology in 1980 and has not looked back since. “It is more “Smithsonian” than “Metropolitan Museum of Art”. It’s an honor to loan HSNY its first exhibit and I invite members and visitors to consider loaning some of their own treasures for future exhibitions.”

“HSNY's inaugural loan exhibit, “Highlights of the Collection of Bob Frishman”, is a delightful diversion for anyone with an interest in the esoteric side of horology,” said Nicholas Manousos, HSNY President. “The breadth of Frishman's collection is on full display, with a wide range of clocks, watches, sundials, tools, instruments and ephemera. Don't miss the candle-illuminated night clock, the "Sectora" watch or the "Golden Vision" mystery clock.”

Guests can visit HSNY and view the exhibition currently on display until May 2020. Exhibition times are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-4PM, or by appointment. For appointments, please email info@hs-ny.org. HSNY is located at 20 West 44th Street, Suite 512, New York, NY 10036. 

A fact sheet of installed collection items can be found here.

For more on Bob Frishman, please visit http://www.bell-time.com/. His lecture on horology in art, which took place at HSNY’s monthly lecture series on January 10, 2017, can be found here. Frishman currently serves as HSNY’s Exhibit Curator.