New England Chapter No. 8 NAWCC

1998 WINTER MEETING, SATURDAY, JANUARY 31

Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge Massachusetts

MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

by Brian Wilcox

The Winter Meeting was held at the Sturbridge Host Hotel on Saturday January 31,1998.

The Chapter President Bob Merrill shared the sad news that two Chapter Eight Members, Win Warren and Howard Guedalia had died recently. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Families of Win and Howard.

David L. Morgan, our National President, visited Chapter Eight to meet the members and share with us some of the issues that are of concern to us. He also met with the Chapter Eight Council on Friday Evening before the meeting to review the subjects of concern and the current state of affairs with our Association.

Chapter President Bob Merrill introduced David Morgan, our National President to the Membership. David Morgan addressed the membership and reported that efforts are under way to improve and close the communication gap between members and the National Council. He also assured members that the state of the Association was good.

Chris Bailey was the luncheon speaker.

Mrs. Tricia Schmitt at luncheon table with speaker Chris Bailey

Chris described the transition from hand to production made clocks. With the use of slides he described the events of the time, and the effect on the social structure of life that took place in Connecticut during the period 1800 - 1810. Eli Terry is largely credited with the change to the mass produced clocks. By 1800 he used water power to power the workshop tools. He used unskilled workers to produce one clock part repetitively These clocks were peddled all over the country using the network of the clock peddler.

Chris' presentation was well received and seemed appropriate to the E.Ingraham exhibit in the mart room.

Chris is a member of NAWCC since 1969. He is a past national director, a Fellow and a Silver Star Fellow, and is a recipient of the James W. Gibbs Literary Award (1995). He has a B.S. (Research Technology) from Brigham Young University and is a credited genealogist He is the author of "200 years of American Clocks & Watches" and has researched and published the histories of many Connecticut clock and watch manufacturing firms. He is a frequent writer for the Bulletin, and is a Bulletin Supplement author. He presently serves on the Editorial and the Seminar Committees of NAWCC, and is the Staff Horologist of the American Clock and Watch Museum.

The morning workshop "Check your oil" was presented by Jack Kurdzionak. The lubrication of watches is one of the most overlooked but very important details in watch repair industry. Jack and his son, John, recently attended a training program in Grenchen, Switzerland. The program, sponsored by ETA industries, emphasized the lubrication of current production mechanical Swiss watches produced by the ETA group. Jack demonstrated the proper disassembly, cleaning, re-assembly, and lubrication of their mechanical watches Lubrication utilizing the highest quality synthetic oils and greases, and the care in handling and replacing mainsprings were also part of the demonstration. The slides were taken at and around the ETA school, and reflected the decline in the watch industry overseas Jack shared his experiences as a craftsman and a business man. The workshop was well received. The attendees were at various levels of expertise.

Jack Kurdzionak is a Northeastern University graduate. He taught science at Medford High School, and practiced watch and clock repair part -time. He also taught clock and watch repair at evening classes before opening his own repair shop in 1981.

He is a successful businessman who continues to teach from his watch and clock shop in Stoneham Mass.

He has served as an officer of the Massachusetts Watchmakers Association and as their delegate to the American Watchmakers Institute. Jack has completed a two year term as a Director at AWI.

Currently, he-writes a column "From the Workshop" in "AWI`s Horological" and is also the Secretary of NAWCC Chapter #102-American Watch makers.

The afternoon workshop."Going..Once..Going Twice."the art of the auctioneer "Get answers to every question you wanted to know about the process. "Unlike an actual auction, you can raise your hand without it costing you a cent. Everything that happens before the hammer comes down, was presented by Bob Schmitt from Salem, New Hampshire, a life member of NAWCC, and Chapter Eight member who got right down to business but with out the use of his hammer. He maintained control as he explained how the auction works from the catalogue to the sale. Questions came as quickly as bids for a rare timepiece, and the answers followed. From the catalog printing, the value of the piece and when to inspect behind the dial. He explained telephone bids, reserve bids and Federal and State laws as they apply to auctions.

Workshop members were tested! The test paper was a page from a catalogue . We had to estimate the value the piece sold for. This maybe a great game for times when the speaker does not show! It was an excellent workshop. It revealed what happens when we wish to sell our favorite timepiece, the crown jewels or the family farm.

"The Auctioneer" - Bob Schmitt We have to trust that our auctioneer is not only trustworthy and ethical, but practiced and experienced as to when and where he sells our pride and joy. Bob Schmitt is such a person.

A native Californian, Bob is an alumnus of the Anderson School of Management, UCLA, and has actively collected clocks since 1969. He bought his first clock at Schmidt’s Antiques in Ypsilanti, Michigan, while he was working in Dearborn for Ford Motor Co. He left Ford in1979 to pursue the clock business full time. In 1985 he moved to New Hampshire, where he and his wife, Tricia conduct semi-annual clock and watch auctions. The business grows and consignments now have an International flavor. Bob has contributed photos and historical information to Miller's Buyer's Guide (Clocks & Barometers), and to Hammond's American Antique guide, 21st edition (to be published fall '98).

There were 93 tables in the mart room and 448 members and guests attended the day's events....

Something new to the mart room with Dr.Nancy D.Connelly.

Forty seven recently discovered photographs of the Ingraham Factory detailing operations at the E.Ingraham Company was on display in the mart room. The pictures, mostly taken in 1907 and 1914, show everything from sanding operations to the shipping center. This exhibit will be re-installed in the museum at Bristol for its spring visitors to enjoy. The exhibit is sponsored by NAWCC New England Chapter Eight through its summer intern program. This was presented by Dr.Nancy D.Connelly the Executive Director of The American Clock and Watch Museum.

Jim Sweeny from The Greater Boston Watch and Clock Collectors demonstrated "software for clocks and watches"--how to use your computer as an aid in the horologists shop. This demonstration attracted a lot of interest from both the converted and the unconverted. Thanks Jim. Standing L-R: David Morgan, Bob Merrill

"Brown's Family Table" - Lois Brown	"My First Clock" John Philbrick
"which is mine?" - Mart Room Scene

New England Chapter No. 8 NAWCC

1998 WINTER MEETING, SATURDAY, JANUARY 31

Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge Massachusetts

The hotel is located opposite Old Sturbridge Village, on route 20. Those desiring lodging overnight should contact the hotel directly at 1-800-582-3232 or 508-347-7393.

Directions to get there:

• Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) to exit 9 to route 20 west through the lights to the Sturbridge Hotel on the right.
• From Connecticut and New York City:-I-84 east to route 20 west.
• From Rhode Island, route 146 to route 20 west.

The Chapter hospitality suite will be open on Friday 30th, at 5.00pm--ask at the front desk.

Registrations before January 24,1998 are $18 .
Registrations received after January 24,1998 and "walk-ins" will be $25.
As always, registration includes your luncheon and is required for participation in any of the meeting activities.

THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER BOB MERRILL:
If you haven't responded to the recent dues reminder please do so soon.

At our December Council meeting two special groups of members were discussed. For the new member, young or old, trained, talented or a beginner we think there is a need for additional support from our current members. If you want more imformation -ask at the Chapter mart # 1 table.in the mart room. Secondly we think the chapter should do more for the old timers who have been so long involved with Chapter 8. We will be writing to many of them to see if there is value in organizing program for them.Thirdly we will be having more displays and demonstrations in the mart for your varied interests.Lastly and very importantly we have created a committee of associate directors to encourage larger participation in the running of the chapter. If you have interest or any ideas please grab one of the green hats for more information. Note the new Bulletin items. David Morgan is trying hard to reach us.Thanks David.

VICE PRESIDENT AND PROGRAM CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE --Larry Chelmow:
Today's program contains some of the mix we are endeavoring to provide in the coming year--"something for everyone" with a mixture of clocks and watches, workshop and speakers. Chris Bailey is the featured speaker and his presentation today will describe the transition from hand made to machine made clocks. Jack Kurdzionak recently attended a training program in Switzerland and will share his experiences at "ETA" industries. His presentation with cover the re-assembly, and lubrication of their mechanical watches, Swiss watches, and care in handling and replacing mainsprings. The afternoon presenter is Bob Schmit from R.O.Schmit of Fine Arts Auctioneers from Salem NH. Take advantage of this opportunity to raise your hand to ask Bob questions.; Unlike an actual auction, you can put your hand in the air and it won't cost you a cent.

Treasurers Report-Bob Frishman
Chapter membership cards are not automatically mailed, (This saved more than $300 last year). You can pick up your card at the meeting, and can be mailed if requested by individual members.

SECRETARY'S REPORT -Brian Wilcox
The meeting notice was sent to the printers on December 28. At this time the program and mart committee were still hard at work creating special events and demonstrations to take place during the morning , so there may be a few more surprises on the meeting day. The Chapter table is the first table in the mart room. Someone will be there at all times to answer any questions; be sure to visit, if you have a question we'll answer it; a critique we`ll work on those; if you have a compliments, we love them! :

Chapter meetings in 1998:

April 04,1998---------Boxborough Woods
May----------------------Willard House Workshop(no date)
June 06,1998---------Boxborough Woods
August 08,1998------Boxborough Woods
September--1998----Annual Symposium(no date established)
October 10 1998----Boxborough Woods

Whos-who in todays meeting:-

Chris H. Bailey:
Chris is a member of NAWCC since 1969.,He is a past national director, a Fellow and a Silver Star Fellow, and is a recipient of the James W. Gibbs Literary Award (1995).has a B.S. (Reseach Technolorgy) from Brigham Young University and is a credited genealogist He is the author of "200 years of American Clocks & Watches" and has reseached and published the histories of many Connecticut clock and watch manufacturing firms. He is ., a frequent writer for the Bulletin, and is a Bulletin Supplement author.He presently serves on the Editorial and the Seminar Committees of NAWCC and is the Staff Horologist of the American
Clock and Watch Museum.

Jack Kurdzionak:
Jack Kurdzionak is a Northeastern University graduate.He taught science at Medford High School and practised watch and clock repair part -time. He also taught clock and watch repair at evening classes before opening his own repair shop in 1981. The business is now fairly successful.. He continues to teach from his watch and clock shop in Stoneham Mass. He has served as an officer of the Massachusetts Watchmakers Association and as their delegate to the American Watchmakers Institute, and completed a two year term as a Director at AWI. Currently, he-writes a column "From the Workshop" in "AWI`s Horogical" and is also the Secretary of NAWCC Chapter #102-American Watch makers.

Bob Schmit:
An alumnus of the Anderson School of Management, UCLA, has actively collected clocks since 1969. He bought his first clock at Schmidts Antiques inYpsilanti, Michigan, while he was working in Dearborn for Ford Motor Co. He started his auction business in California in1979 and moved to New England iin 1985. The auction business has grown tremendously and Bob continues to receive consignments from (and sell to customers in) many different countries.

Dr. Nancy Connelly:
The Executive Director of The American Clock and Watch Museum

Whats going on at other meetings

The Greater Boston Watch and Clock Collectors would like to extend an invitation to members of Chapter 8 to join in on their monthly meetings. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month between September and June at the Ramada Inn,Bedford Massachusetts. The meeting cost is $20.00 which includes dinner, a "Show and Tell" where members bring in and share treasures with the group, and a speaker on horology. A "Time to Share" session is also featured to help members find information on time pieces that they own or details on how to perform some specialized repairs. Chapter 8 members who are interested in attending one of the Greater Boston Watch and Clock Collectors gatherings should contact Jim Sweeney (603-929-4355) or Roger Hessel (508-853-7722) for information on the next meeting.

Chapter news
Some more notes about the Jack Kurdzionak workshop:
ETA is the manufacturing division of SMH which owns and markets brands such as Swatch, Tissot, Omega, Longines, Rado, Flick Flack, and produces movements used in a multitude of brands including Movado, Gucci, and many others. ETA industries, emphasized the lubrication of current production mechanical Swiss watches produced by the ETA group. Jack will demonstrate proper disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, and lubrication of their mechanical watches.He will discuss lubrication utilizing the highest quality, synthetic oils and greases and. care in handing and replacing mainsprings The presentation, will show the slides taken at the ETA school. with samples of the lubricants used in the classes.The lubrication of watches is one of the most overlooked yet very important detail in the watch repair industry.

Willard House and Clock Museum.
Michael Friedman has been appointed assistant curator at Willard House and Clock Museum. he started working at the Willard House last year from a grant from the intern program provided by New England Chapter #8, and has proven to be a tremendous asset to the museum.David Gow a Chapter Eight member from Shrewsbury Massachusetts has been appointed Conservator of the clock collection at Willard house. Admission to Willard House is FREE for all NAWCC members, the museum hours are Tuesday -Saturday 10-5,Sunday 1-5 and closed on Mondays..telephone:-508-839-3500. This year's special exhibit at Willard House will be Simon Willard lighthouse clocks.

The American Clock & Watch Museum
The collection has now grown to more than 1700 clocks,1600 watches and an extensive library .Hand-crafted clocks from the 1700`s are now on display,as are the works of factory production from the Horological giants of the past. Included are Eli Terry who invented the first shelf clock,Chauncey and Noble Jerome who pioneered the use of rolled brass for 30-hour clocks and whose successor was the New Haven Clock Company, and Seth Thomas, founder of the Seth Thomas Clock Company.Later models on display include clocks by Ingraham, Gilbert and Waterbury and watches by Waltam,Elgin and Ingersoll. My source of information for this paragraph may be dated--The American Clock and Watch Museum can be reached at 860-583-6070 or better still ask Chris Bailey or Nancy Connelly who will be part of todays meeting..

Chapter Eight Council

President: Robert L. Merrill Past President Dr.Edmond Cooley

1st.Vice Presiden Lawrence Chelmow 2nd.Vice President Joseph Delaney:

Treasurer: Robert Frishman Secretary Brian Wilcox

Directors
Joseph Brown: William Gray Eberly: George Grant Richard Hauck

John Lelieve John Tuckwood

Associate Directors Wayne Paskerian & Philip Plourde

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