Horological Society of New York — HSNY — receives huge donation from Vogt Foundation, Names F.P. Journe for lifetime achievement award and sets gala date.
The Horological Society of New York (HSNY) has announced a landmark $470,000 donation from the Vogt Foundation, a gift that will dramatically expand the organization’s financial aid programs for students and independent watchmakers worldwide. The funding coincides with HSNY’s plans for a milestone celebration—its 160th anniversary Gala, to be held March 21, 2026, at The Plaza Hotel in New York City.
Of the total $470,000 Vogt Foundation gift to HSNY, $320,000 will go toward tripling HSNY’s annual scholarship pool, boosting available funds from $160,000 to $480,000 and opening eligibility to international applicants for the first time. “Education is the foundation of our mission,” said Nicholas Manousos, HSNY’s Executive Director. “The Vogt Foundation’s generosity enables us to extend that mission further than ever before.”
Kyle Vogt, Executive Director of the Vogt Foundation, emphasized the importance of supporting traditional craftsmanship amid rapid technological change. “As the world becomes more digital and AI-driven, it’s more important than ever to celebrate and preserve human craftsmanship,” he said.
An additional $150,000 from the donation will launch HSNY’s new Independent Watchmaker Grant Program, designed to provide direct funding for essential tools and startup expenses. Three grants of $50,000 each will be awarded annually to watchmakers demonstrating excellence in design, finishing, and innovation, with special consideration for complications and novel movements.
“The independent watchmaker represents the purest form of horological creativity,” added Manousos. “With the Vogt Foundation’s support, HSNY can now give these artisans the resources they need to bring their ideas to life.”
HSNY will honor François-Paul Journe with the Howard Fass Award for Lifetime Achievement in recognition of his profound influence on modern watchmaking.
The timing of the announcement aligns with HSNY’s preparations for its 160th anniversary Gala—a black-tie evening at The Plaza that will celebrate the Society’s legacy and future. Co-chaired by British watchmaker Roger W. Smith OBE, independent watchmaker Danièla Dufour, and actor Ben Ahlers of The Gilded Age, the event will include a lifetime achievement award, a Sotheby’s charity auction, and an after-party.
HSNY will honor François-Paul Journe with the Howard Fass Award for Lifetime Achievement in recognition of his profound influence on modern watchmaking. Proceeds from the Gala will directly benefit the Society’s educational and financial aid initiatives, including those made possible by the Vogt Foundation.
“Reaching 160 years is an extraordinary milestone,” said Manousos. “This Gala is not only a celebration of our past—it’s a reaffirmation of our mission to ensure the future of watchmaking education.”
Tickets for the March 2026 Gala will go on sale beginning November 6, 2025, with proceeds supporting HSNY’s expanding global programs.
HSNY Gala 2025
