HSNY To Help And Support Watchmakers

3 minutes read
The Horological Society of New York (HSNY) announces the establishment of direct financial assistance to industry professionals and the launch of their first virtual tutoring program.

Working Watchmakers Grant

Since 1866, HSNY has been helping watchmakers succeed in every way. What started as a guild with medical and employment benefits - by watchmakers for watchmakers - has evolved into a nonprofit organization with scholarship and award opportunities for students and institutions. Now, in light of the coronavirus pandemic that has drastically changed the way we live and work, HSNY has established the Working Watchmakers Grant aimed to assist industry professionals directly.

Made possible through generous donations, HSNY’s Working Watchmakers Grant allocated $100,000 to support America’s watch and clock makers during this time of need. Within hours, applications poured in and payments of $1,000 are currently being processed to 100 watchmakers in 31 states. The Working Watchmakers Grant is being awarded on a first-come-first-served basis, where applicants provided proof of their employment (or prior employment) , along with information on how the coronavirus pandemic has affected their business or income.

“It took us looking at HSNY’s history to realize what our next steps should be,” said HSNY President Nicholas Manousos. “New York watchmakers came together in 1866 to ensure their colleagues were taken care of. The Working Watchmakers Grant is today’s version of the altruism that led to the founding of HSNY. The application process is simple and grants will be paid quickly.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are roughly 2,700 watch and clock repairers in the country. HSNY’s Working Watchmakers Grant is made possible by generous donations from individual donors interested in the well-being of watch and clock makers.

HSNY To Help And Support Watchmakers

Virtual Horological Tutoring

HSNY, whose mission is to advance the art and science of horology, thrives on educating watch enthusiasts on a global scale. To adapt to the changing landscape, HSNY is going virtual with more educational options and topics than ever before.

Via virtual tutoring, HSNY’s team of professional watchmakers will bring the Society’s award-winning classes to the comfort of students’ homes in the form of small group theory classes and one-on-one tutoring. Certified instructors are available to work with students on watch and clock making techniques and theory, even going beyond the scope of HSNY’s in-person classes. HSNY’s virtual horological education syllabus will include live 60 to 90-minute Online Curriculum courses for groups of up to four students. Classes will cover HSNY’s 101 through 104 curricula , but with a focus on a theoretical approach. Instructors will share material slides in real-time and demonstrate the disassembly and reassembly of a mechanical movement live at their home workbenches.

Students who have completed HSNY’s 101 through 104 courses - or participated in Traveling Education classes - can enroll in One-on-One Tutoring on horological topics never covered before by HSNY, including:
● Tool dressing and maintenance
● Quartz battery replacement
● Glass crystal replacement
● Acrylic crystal replacement
● Observation of movement disassembly and discussion about movement service
● Timing machine results and general timing principals

Last but not least, HSNY’s team of instructors will lend their expertise on Advanced Topics.
Recommended for watchmakers or those craving more technical lessons, topics include:
● Boring and bushing worn holes in bridges/mainplates
● Turning down worn posts and fitting a new bushing
● Lathe work
● Fitting a balance staff and poising the balance
● Escapement adjustment
● Chronograph adjustment
● Clean oiling techniques

All courses will be offered by the same dedicated instructors that teach HSNY’s classes worldwide. To get started, HSNY will offer its Basic Movement Theory class free to HSNY members. To enroll or inquire, simply fill out the form located on HSNY’s Virtual Horological Tutoring page. Upon review, HSNY’s instructors will reach out to tailor each session including availability, pricing and content covered. Select classes will be offered in French upon request.

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