Scholarship for Innovation in Horology

Horology may seem like a mature science, but there are still many opportunities for improvement in all aspects of the field. From the marine chronometer to the atomic clock, there are many examples of innovations in horology that improved all of our lives. The Horological Society of New York is committed to fostering meaningful innovation through scholarship.

Charles Sauter

Charles Sauter (1922-2016) was born in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Sauter studied mechanical engineering at Pennsylvania State University and later studied watchmaking at the Hamilton Watchmaking School. After a stint in the U.S. Army, including time at the Manhattan Project, Sauter joined Bulova Watches as an instructor. His years at Bulova encompassed many different positions, including working as the Principal Engineer for the Accutron watch and as the Principal Engineer for the Apollo 17 Lunar Seismic Profiling Experiment. Sauter has two patents to his name, for a micro-miniature stepping motor and an anti-backlash gear. In addition, Sauter was an active member of the Horological Society of New York, writing frequently for the Horologist's Loupe.

The details concerning Sauter's work with NASA are fascinating. On December 7, 1972, NASA's Apollo 17 mission launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This was the final Apollo mission and the astronauts were tasked with carrying out many scientific experiments while on the moon. The Lunar Seismic Profiling Experiment was planned to examine the moon's crust by detonating a series of explosives once the Lunar Module had safely taken off from the moon. To ensure safe operation, NASA hired Bulova Watches to design, engineer, and test the mechanical watch movements that would be used to time the detonation. The man in charge of this project was Charles Sauter. This out-of-the-box thinking in constructing an accurate and precise mechanical timer to support low gravity and extreme temperature conditions (165 to -20 deg F) demonstrates the significance of innovative thinking in Sauter's work.

DETAILS

Any student who has been accepted or is currently studying at a full-time watchmaking school in the U.S. is eligible for the Charles Sauter Scholarship for Innovation in Horology. Prospective students may also apply, with the understanding that the scholarship is contingent on their enrollment at a full-time watchmaking school. The scholarship is awarded every April. Awards up to $5,000 are available.

To apply, students should email a letter in PDF form to the Trustees of the Horological Society of New York that includes a biography, financial need statement, and an explanation demonstrating their innovative thinking in horology. A resume is required, and reference letters are recommended. The application period is January 1 to March 1 of every year.

DonorS

The Charles Sauter Scholarship for Innovation in Horology is made possible by generous donations from Amit Puri, CEO of Kurtek LLC and Matthew Rosenheim, CEO of Tiny Jewel Box, who share a passion for horology and a dedication to preserving this art and science for future generations. As patrons of fine watchmaking, Amit and Matthew have enjoyed and supported the art for decades, culminating in a determination to preserve the wonders of horological science for generations to come.

AWARDEES

2024

2023

Scholarships will be disbursed based on the proportion of the recognized educational program the student has completed. Additional funds will be disbursed at the beginning of each quarter/semester/section, in proportion to how much of the program that quarter/semester/section represents.

If a student leaves the program before completion disbursements will be paused. If said student does re-enroll in a watchmaking program within 2 years, their scholarship disbursements will restart. If said student does not re-enroll in a watchmaking program within 2 years the balance of the award is forfeited. If the same student enrolls again in a watchmaking program after 2 years they are not disqualified from applying to HSNY for additional scholarships.

For example, if a student is enrolled in a 2-year program consisting of 8 quarters, and is awarded a scholarship after 4 quarters of enrollment, the initial disbursement would be 50% of their total award. Additional quarterly disbursements would be 12.5% of their total award.

Exempt from the scholarship are board members, trustees, fellows of the Horological Society of New York, and their family members. Grant recipients will be asked to complete a W-9 form before receiving their gift (check) for tax purposes. For more information, contact us.