Host Malik Yoba and watchmaker Steven Richardson at The Art of Horology Fundraiser.

Time Goes On

Fusee: (fyu-‘ze)n. a conical spirally grooved pulley in a timepiece from which a cord or chain unwinds onto a barrel containing the spring and which by its increasing diameter compensates for the lessening power of the spring

As we take a brief historical look into the history of watches and timepieces alike, let’s go back to the 16th Century in Germany where Peter Henlein created the first pocket watch. Most pocket watches were at one point an item of choice for people of aristocracy. Today, they are being handed down as gifts.

Then, in or around the early 17th Century, Fusees were adapted from clocks to watches. In 1687, the repeating mechanisms that tolls s bell sound every quarter hour and hour. As time goes on, so does the style of watches and timepieces. As we move on to the year 1704, that was when jewels were used in watch movements. Peter and Jacob Debaufre, Nicolas Facio were the first gentlemen to make this happen. It wasn’t until around 1750 that watchmakers began using enamel on watch dials. The English lever escpaements were eventually added nine years later by Thomas Mudge.

The first watch making shop erected in Paris, France in 1775. A few years later, Abraham Louis Perrelet invented the self winding movement making watches easy to set. Later in 1807, Thomas Young invented the recording chronograph. Two years following, Luther Goddard of Shrewsbury, MS was the first watch manufacturer in America. In 1820, the first patent for the self winding watch was registered. Tiffany’s was opened in 1837.

As far as brands, in 1853, Tissot made the first dual time zone watch; 1858, Minerva is founded; 1860 Heuer is founded; 1865, Zenith was founded and 1881, Movado was founded. In 1884, Greenwich, England was officially named the zero meridian and used as the worldwide recognized basis of time zones.

Watchmakers have evolved at the turn of the twentieth century beginning in 1905 when Hans Wilsdorf started the Rolex Watch Company. Wrist watches came with alarms in 1914. Further in 1926, Rolex introduced the first waterproof case called the “Oyster”. The Mickey Mouse watch was introduced by 1933 by Ingersoll. Technology began to play a part in how we tell time near 1970 when Hamilton created the “Pulsar”, the first electronic digital watch. Longines and Seiko took it a step further in introducing the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). In 1985, Swiss Heuer merged with TAG to form TAG Huere.

As far as time recording went, Casio did the unthinkable and innovative move by having a wrist watch equipped with a built-in Global Positioning System or GPS. Time has been here before man and will always continue. As we take a look into the history of such an intricate craft, one should also take in consideration as to the distribution of timepieces around the world.

Hodinkee.com gives it support to AOH project

Our friend Benjamin Hodinkee from www.hodinkee.com, lends his support to our fundraiser. Not only will he be at the event he has been giving us much love on his site. Thanks Benjamin!

The Art Of Horology Project Fundraiser Tickets

Our ticketing information is now posted on Eventbrite!!! Please take a moment to read and share with friends and family.

Regards

Art of Horology Survey

Art of Horology Survey

Six Questions
Less than a minute of your time.

Thanks.

The Art Of Horology Project Fundraiser Press Release

NKIRU AMERICA – THE ART OF HOROLOGY PROJECT
The Art of Horology Project - P.O. Box 160213 - Brooklyn, NY 11216
www.nkiruamerica.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2009

NKIRU AMERICA WATCHES AND AUDI USA ANNOUNCES THE
ART OF HOROLOGY PROJECT FUNDRAISER HOSTED BY
MALIK YOBA

The Art of Horology Project is dedicated to introducing the art, history and
science of watchmaking to the digital generations.

WHAT: The Art of Horology Fundraiser

WHERE: The Carriage House for the Arts, East 38th Street, between Lexington
and 3rd Avenue.

WHEN: Thursday, November 5th, 2009 Press & VIP Reception 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.

WHO: The Art of Horology Project, is organized and produced by Steven
Richardson of Nkiru America Watches. During the reception, participants will be
treated to live entertainment, cocktails, a silent auction, and a short Q&A session
with Steven Richardson and Malik Yoba.

CONTACT: To sponsor, please contact Terry Alexander, at 347.581.4443 or
talexander@nkiruwatches.com.

For media inquiries and press registration, please contact Karen Isaacs, pr@nkiruamerica.org, 347.346.0561.

Web Site: www.nkiruamerica.org

Blog: http://theartofhorology.blogspot.com/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/artofhorology

Our Web Site is now live!

The Art of Horology Project web site is now live. Please visit for information on our upcoming fundraiser on November 5th.

The Art Of Horology Project Fundraiser

Most of you know me as the founder and CEO of Nkiru America Watches. Nkiru is a Nigerian (Ibo) word meaning “looking ahead." The name is not only relevant and highly appropriate for a timepiece company; it is also a representation of my vision for exposing young people to the art, history and science of horology, the study of timekeeping devices.

Approximately there are less than 5,000 trained timepiece technicians (watchmakers) in the United States and the number continues to dwindle. With this in mind, Nkiru has launched the Art of Horology Project, a non-profit organization created to teach future generations about the horology industry.

Nkiru, in collaboration with the Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA, has developed a 10-week workshop to teach the horology program on an introductory level. Our mentoring partnership will provide a meaningful educational, recreational and developmental opportunity regardless of the future career goals of our students. Despite the preliminary success of our program, there is much more we could do with your help. Therefore, we are excited to announce the first annual fundraiser for the Art of Horology Project on November 5th, 2009 at the Gabarron Foundation Carriage House for the Arts. Hosted by Malik Yoba, a long time client of Nkiru America Watches, we will be honoring Danny Simmons, the Interim Chair of New York State Council on the Arts, for his continued support of the project.

The financial donations we hope to raise at this fundraiser will support the secondary and tertiary phase of the workshop, as well as further establish a dedicated horology school in the tri-state area.Thank you for your continued support of Nkiru as we begin this next chapter. Please mark your calendar for November 5th.

For information on Nkiru America Watches and the Art of Horology Project, please join our mailing list at www.nkiruamerica.org. A formal invitation to follow shortly.



Best Wishes,



Steven Richardson
CEO
Nkiru America Watches

Fall 2009 Workshop Schedule

THE ART OF HOROLOGY PROJECT
FALL 2009 WORKSHOP

The Art of Horology Project is dedicated to introducing the art,
history and science of watch-making to the digital generations.

Thursdays
September 10th
to
November 19th

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.


YMCA
Bedford Stuyvesant
1121 Bedford Avenue

Call 718.789.1497 to register.

Ages 12 and up.

Sponsored by Nkiru America
www.nkiruamerica.com