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Students at individual watchmaking benches under lamps during an HSNY class
Horological Society of New York logo Horological Society of New York
Traveling Education · Est. 1866

Become a host of HSNY Traveling Education watchmaking classes

Bring the Horological Society of New York's class to your location

What hosting involves

America's oldest watchmaking guild brings its hands-on class to your city. You provide the room. We bring the watchmakers, the benches, the tools and the movements, and fill the seats with people who love watches.

Become a host How it works
4 hHands-on class, Horology 101 to 103
8Students per class, each at their own bench
Up to 4Classes over one weekend
$550Ticket, paid by each student to HSNY
6–4 moPlanning lead time before the class weekend
A student holds tweezers over a mechanical watch movement on a bench

01 · The course

What actually makes a watch tick

What the class covers

The class covers everything taught in HSNY's individual evening courses in New York City, condensed into one in-depth session. Taught by HSNY's professional watchmakers, students disassemble a complete mechanical movement and face many of the watchmaker's real challenges.

They study the three systems at the heart of every mechanical watch:

  • Gear train
  • Winding and setting
  • Escapement

Who attends

  • Local watch collectors
  • Watch enthusiasts
  • Students considering a watchmaking career
  • Watch industry professionals
"It was a fantastic way to spend a few hours getting my hands dirty without destroying one of my own watches."Past student

02 · The weekend

A class weekend at a glance

To make it easy for people to attend, classes run on a Saturday and Sunday, with up to four classes depending on local interest.

Saturday 2 classes

8 am11 am2 pm5 pm8 pm

Sunday 2 classes

8 am11 am2 pm5 pm8 pm

Classes start at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm and last four hours, with eight students in each. A full weekend welcomes up to 32 watch enthusiasts to your space.

03 · The bookings

We fill the seats

Planning starts 6 to 4 months ahead. From there, HSNY handles promotion and ticketing from start to finish.

  1. 6 to 4 months before

    Planning

    We agree the weekend, the venue and the layout with you, and lock in the dates.

  2. Ideally 3 months before

    Announcement and booking

    The class is announced through the HSNY newsletter, our sponsor Hodinkee and targeted local Facebook ads. Students book on HSNY's Eventbrite page, first come, first served.

  3. Weeks before

    Classes fill

    Classes usually fill up fast, and we keep you informed as the weekend approaches.

  4. Class weekend

    We arrive

    Our watchmakers bring and set up the benches, then teach the classes.

Minimum

3 full classes confirm the weekend

A minimum of three classes must sell out, 24 seats in total, for the weekend to be guaranteed.

For your guests

Reserve a class or two for your own clients

Many hosts now purchase one or two full classes for their own guests, and receive a reduced price on those classes. It is a memorable way to invite your best clients.

$550

per student ticket, paid to HSNY. It covers all the costs of travelling and bringing the class to your location, and is only slightly more than taking the three individual classes in New York City.

04 · Hosting location

Your boutique, or a room nearby

HSNY's custom-made watchmaking equipment travels, so classes can be held almost anywhere. Hosts choose one of two options.

A student works at a portable HSNY watchmaking bench inside a boutique

Option A

Your boutique space

Some boutique layouts allow a quiet corner where the class runs without disturbing, or being disturbed by, day-to-day store activity. You welcome students into your store and share privileged moments with them before and after the class.

A private room set up in classroom format with lamps, benches and a projection screen showing Horology 101-103

Option B

A room within walking distance

When boutique space is limited, hosts provide a room nearby. Students get a quiet, studious setting, and you still welcome them to the store before or after their class.

05 · Hosting requirements

Minimal space, minimal equipment

What makes a good room

Watchmaking takes concentration, so the space should be studious: minimal people walking through and no disturbing noise. Here is who brings what, and two ways to arrange the room. Both fit in about 20 × 16 ft (6 × 4.8 m).

You provide Host

  • A room for 8 participants, about 20 × 16 ft (6 × 4.8 m)Set out in classroom or U-shape format
  • A quiet, studious spaceMinimal people walking through and no disturbing noise during class
  • 4 tables, 6 ft (1.8 m) long, standard height
  • 8 stable chairs
  • A large TV screen, 55″ or biggerRather than a projector
  • Multiple electrical outlets
  • A flipchart and pens

HSNY brings Us

  • Professional watchmaker instructors
  • A custom-made watchmaking bench for every studentWith lamp and work surface
  • A full set of watchmaking tools for every student
  • A mechanical movement for every studentAn ETA 6497 hand-wound movement
  • Promotion, ticketing and student communication
55″ TV screen6 ft / 1.8 m2 ft2 ft20 ft / 6 m16 ft / 4.8 m
Classroom Workstations face the screen in two rows. Leave 6 ft (1.8 m) between the screen and the front row, and 2 ft (0.6 m) between tables and between rows.
55″ TV screeninstructor8 ft / 2.4 m20 ft / 6 m16 ft / 4.8 m
U-shape Tables form a U open towards the screen. Students sit around the outside facing in, and the instructor works from the centre.
"I took this class in Boston, and I loved it. Each student got their own watchmaking bench, tools, and a happily ticking ETA 6497 movement."Past student, Boston
Two students lean over a watchmaking bench with a parts tray and movement holder

06 · The perks

Why host a class

Quality watchmaking classes

Students pay to attend, so most arrive with a genuine interest in watchmaking.

New contacts

The class is promoted across HSNY's network, bringing you potential new collectors to meet and build a relationship with.

Classes for your own guests

Reserve one or two classes for your clients at a reduced price, and offer them an experience they will remember.

Minimal investment

Beyond the room, all we need is your time. Students are focused during class, and often enjoy a good watch talk over a glass of champagne afterwards.

Overhead view of a student working at a white bench under a lamp A student wearing an eye loupe concentrates on a movement A student with a loupe and finger cots holds tweezers above a movement

From past students

What students say

A great class if you've never taken apart a watch before, and well worth the money.Past student
Super impressive, and a bit daunting, since there is so much to learn, but these guys do an amazing job of educating the public on this esoteric culture.Past student

Questions hosts ask

Frequently asked

What does it cost to host?

Beyond providing the room and your time, nothing. Students buy their tickets from HSNY, and the ticket price covers the cost of bringing the class to your city.

How many classes must sell for the weekend to go ahead?

A minimum of three full classes, 24 seats in total, must be sold out to guarantee the weekend.

Can we book classes for our own clients?

Yes. Many hosts purchase one or two classes for their own guests, and receive a reduced price on those classes. Mention it in your enquiry and we will include it in the plan.

How far in advance do we plan?

We start planning 6 to 4 months before the class weekend. The class is ideally announced 3 months ahead, which gives students time to book.

Who promotes the class and sells the tickets?

HSNY. The class is announced through the HSNY newsletter, Hodinkee and targeted local Facebook ads, and students book on HSNY's Eventbrite page.

How much space do we need?

About 20 × 16 ft (6 × 4.8 m), set out in classroom or U-shape format, in a quiet spot with little foot traffic and no disturbing noise, with four 6 ft tables, eight stable chairs, a large TV screen, a flipchart and pens, and several power outlets.

Do you travel outside the United States?

Yes. Traveling Education has run classes across North America and abroad. Tell us where you are and we will look at what is possible.

Do we need any watchmaking equipment?

No. HSNY brings custom-made portable benches, tools and a mechanical movement for every student.

What if our space is too small?

Many hosts provide a room within walking distance. Students still visit you before or after their class.

When are classes held?

Usually on a Saturday and Sunday, at 9:30 am and 2:30 pm, with up to four classes depending on local interest.

Become a host

Bring HSNY's watchmaking class to your city

Fill in the details below. Your enquiry is put together as a ready-to-send email for Vincent Robert, HSNY Director of Traveling Education.

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