Pocket Horology
National Research Ch. 174

NAWCC

June Highlights

by Clint Geller, Chapter 174 Secretary

On June 25, approximately thirty members and guests attended the Pocket Horology evening meeting during the NAWCC National Convention in Portland, Oregon. During the business meeting, lively discussions ensued on several exciting chapter projects updated below. At the convention, the NAWCC National Council approved $9500 (including $6500 from an anonymous donor who was "in the meeting room" at the time the action was taken) to support our chapter’s proposal for the purchase of electronic image database equipment. Plans for the 2002 NAWCC National Seminar on the subject of: "Watchmaking in New England," were discussed and chapter members provided valuable feedback. This reporter also showed a prototype page from the 1999 Pocket Horology calendar that will be completed and ready for shipping in October. Desmond Lundy discussed the results of the Chapter Survey distributed approximately six months ago, from which it was clear that the Florida Midwinter Regional is far and away the most sensible location for the chapter’s non-convention meeting. Following a brief break, Pocket Horology member Tom McIntyre gave a fine audiovisual presentation on Fred McIntyre and the McIntyre Watch Company, text and figures of which are reprinted in this issue. We were honored by the presence of two special guests, a granddaughter and a great grandson of Fred McIntyre’s.

Also at the national convention, Pocket Horology received the support of the NAWCC National Council to purchase $9500 in electronic image acquisition, storage and display equipment with which to begin compiling an electronic image database to support horological research and public education in pocket watches. The database project coordinator, Jack Goldberg is working with the national HQ to hone a generic database format while equipment selections are finalized.

Thirteen members contributed to our chapter’s display of rare and interesting American and English pocket watches that was part of the National Convention Display. Desmond Lundy and this reporter organized the exhibit with help from George Collord, Dave Cooper, Ted Freek, Carl Goetz, Larry Greenwald, Jim Hernick, Mike Laux, Ron McLeod, Tom McIntyre, Mack Montgomery and Charles Murray. Thanks in large part to our outstanding exhibit, we have added seven new names to our chapter roster, which now lists 97 members, since the national meeting. Separately, chapter member Albert Odmark exhibited an extremely impressive collection of rare, early and technically unusual English, French and Swiss watch movements including movements by Breguet, Arnold, Tompion and other important makers. Pocket Horology members George Collord and Bill Heilman also gave separate, well-received talks as part of the National Convention program.

Organizing is continuing for the 2002 NAWCC National Seminar on the general subject of watchmaking in New England, although the focus is likely to be sharpened when the theme and program are fully articulated. In early August, we received the very welcome news that upper management at the Museum of Science views our seminar and exhibit proposal favorably and that the Museum administration now is deliberating on exactly what space to offer us. It is our hope that both the Seminar and the exhibit can be sited at the Museum. Discussions with the aim of agreeing on a formula for cosponsorship are in progress with the executive boards of New England chapters #8 and #87 with the executive boards of these two chapters. Mr. Ron Price, a respected researcher active in all both N.E. chapters as well as Chapter #174, has graciously agreed to serve as the Vice-Chairman in charge of the Exhibit.

A Regular Membership in Pocket Horology, which includes our informative newsletter, costs $25 (one-time, initial fee) plus $10 annual dues every year after. To join, send a check made out to "Pocket Horology" to the Chapter Secretary, Clint Geller, at 6347 Ebdy Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217.

Pocket Horology
National Research Ch. 174

NAWCC

Meeting Announcement
June 25, 1998

National Convention in Portland, Oregon

from Clint Geller, Chapter 174 Secretary

The Pocket Horology Chapter will meet at the Convention Center in Rooms A103-104 at 8:00 PM, Thursday evening, June 25. Topics to be discussed include the Electronic Image Database Project and Special Chapter 174 Exhibit and Symposium on Early American Pocket Watches.

Our featured speaker will be Chapter member Tom McIntyre who will speak on "Fred McIntyre, Charles Delong and the McIntyre Watch Company." Show-and-tell items are encouraged. In addition, a second informal meeting is planned for Saturday afternoon at 4 PM in Room A108 for a hands-on display of interesting and rare pocket watches from the convention display.

Tom McIntyre has been very active in the NAWCC since moving to New England. He has given many presentations for Chapter 8 and Chapter 87 and is a Past President of Chapter 87. He was also a speaker at the National Seminar on Railway Timekeeping. Tom has a special interest in the "American" Grade Waltham watches and in English precision and technical watches. He would be an avid collector of McIntyre and DeLong watches also if there were any to collect.

Apart from his horological accomplishments, Tom received a Ph.D. in Physiology and Biophysics from UCLA and he has extensive experience in the design and use of computers in the laboratory. After working and teaching in the Bophysics field both in the US and in England, the lure of computers overcame Tom’s original training and he moved to Massachusetts to work for Digital Equipment Corporation on their first line of personal computers. Tom currently works for a small company that is endeavoring to bring the power of small robotic devices and artificial intelligence to the Energy Industries.

Tom will have been happily married to his wife Jane for 40 years at the time of our meeting in Portland this Spring and they will be celebrating with a visit to Victoria, BC following the meeting. They have three children and two grandchildren with all the children working in the computer industry (surprise).