Discover What Makes a Mechanical Watch Tick
Since the 1950s, the Horological Society of New York has offered classes to the public, taught by professional watchmakers. These award-winning classes further HSNY's mission by making horological education accessible and enjoyable for the public.
HSNY's Horological Education classes were featured in New York Magazine's Best of New York 2016
Horology 101: Movement mechanics
A hands-on, single session class taught by professional watchmakers. Students learn how a mechanical watch movement works and proper usage of watchmaking tools. Finally, students disassemble and reassemble a mechanical watch movement. No previous experience is required.
HOROLOGY 102: GEAR TRAIN
An in-depth look at the gear train, covering terminology, functionality and theory. Students learn the mathematics that determine the beat rate of a watch, as well as the difference in tooth profiles seen in modern horology. Students will work on the gear train of a mechanical watch movement to see how the theories apply to real life mechanics. Horology 101 is the prerequisite for this class.
Horology 103: WINDING & SETTING WORKS
Covers the functionality and adjustment of these important mechanisms. Students will work on the winding and setting works of a mechanical watch movement to gain a real-world understanding of how they work. Horology 101 is the prerequisite for this class.
Horology 104: ESCAPEMENT
Spends time examining what makes a mechanical watch movement tick. Through the use of oversized instructional models and escapements in a mechanical watch movement, students learn the specifics of how the lever escapement functions. Horology 101 is the prerequisite for this class.
Weekend Classes
The ETA 6497 used to teach all HSNY horology courses.
A condensed version of our evening classes, taught in a single half-day session. Students work on a mechanical watch movement, studying the gear train, winding and setting mechanisms, and escapement. The weekend half-day classes cover everything taught during the individual evening classes held in New York City. No previous experience required.
Private Classes
Looking for a great corporate team-building exercise? Or a birthday event for a group of watch enthusiasts? Private horological education classes are available, either at HSNY's Midtown Manhattan headquarters, or at a location of your choosing. Contact us for more details!
HSNY members receive priority access to horological education classes. HSNY's Horological Education classes are free for all veterans and full-time students, please contact HSNY for more information. Free courses for veterans and full-time students are redeemable for single, weekday classes at HSNY (currently 101, 102, 103, and 104) and cannot be applied to guest instructor classes or combined curriculum, including weekend courses and Traveling Education courses outside of New York City. By participating in HSNY's Horological Education classes, you agree to release HSNY from any and all liabilities that may arise, and agree that you may be photographed and / or video recorded.