A Message from our President

A message from our President

I would like to extend greetings to all who are interested in the Horological Association of Virginia (HAV), an affiliate chapter of the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute. We are a very diverse group of individuals whose skills range from amateur to master. Many of us are career professional watchmakers and clockmakers who have earned our living in horology our entire adult lives and are interested in sharing our knowledge to advance the familiarity of the membership thru education. Some of our membership has chosen to pursue the field or horology while earning a living in another field and have a vast knowledge of the measurement of time which they share at the local guild level or at the annual meeting. We welcome all who desire to learn more and advance their skill level in the field of horology.

The primary function of the HAV is to educate the membership. To accomplish this we have three local guilds, many of which offer excellent educational opportunities to those interested in the measurement of time.

-The Southside Guild hosts its meetings at the Liberty Train Station Restaurant, in Bedford Virginia, on the third Monday of odd months. (Please contact Clarence Hardy , 1clockdoc@gmail.com for details)

-George Mc Neil’s Potomac Guild hosts their meetings on the first Tuesday of each month. (Lloyd Lehn, lloyd.lehn@verizon.net )

-The Tri-City Guild hosts meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at the Shoney’s Restaurant on West Broad Street, just past Parham Road. (Please Contact Bob Bruckhart, watchbob1960@aol.com for details)

We also have a fall seminar, normally in October and an annual convention, normally in April, where we host a full day of lectures and many times hands on instruction by nationally recognized watchmakers, clockmakers and horologists. It’s an exciting time to be in the field of horology! We invite you to come and join us at the local or state level.

Mike D. Creasey

President

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The HOROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF VIRGINIA (HAV) was formed in October 1939 for the purpose of promoting cooperation among the horologists (watchmakers) throughout the state of Virginia and surrounding locales. In the ensuing years, HAV's spectrum has broadened to include not only the watchmaker, but also the clockmaker, bench jeweler, retail jeweler, and others included in this micro-precision industry. The scope of HAV has also expanded with the purpose of offering education to its members in the latest techniques, up to date technology, and the prompting of fair trade practices.

Membership in HAV is a real advantage in this modern day of rapidly changing technologies. Frequently the bench person is left behind because of the lack of direct affiliation with the retail market. HAV attempts to bridge that gap through one of its most valuable assets, the Local Guild. Currently there are four guilds throughout the state of Virginia. This smaller group of your fellow trades people, meet on a regular basis, to help breakdown the complexity, and open the door to a better understanding if this industry. Backed by the direct and complete affiliation of the HAV, your local guild becomes a hotline to the answers you need NOW!

The following is a brief summary of the many` things HAV is actively doing for each of its members:

• Technical Library = "For exclusive use of member guilds to include technical bulletins, slide narration programs, and audio and video programs.

• Speakers Bureau - A program by which member guilds may obtain speakers from throughout the U.S.

• Technical Seminars - Held once a year, in the fall, for members to receive hands-on training in a variety of specialties from well-known-experts in their field.

• Annual Convention - Held once a year in the spring, for members to attend training and informational seminars conducted by experts with up to the minute procedures and ideas. A good opportunity for all members to enjoy some entertainment and to meet and network with other members from throughout the state.

• Loupes and Tweezers - The official HAV newsletter, published every three months to keep members abreast of pertinent activities in and around Virginia, and provide bench tips and other information.

• Magazine Subscriptions - Members can order, at reduced prices, subscriptions to a group of trade magazines, offered throughout the industry.

• Membership Certificate and Lapel Pin - For all new members announcing proud participation in HAV.

• National Publicity - With the affiliation of a leading association in the country, the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute.