Seminars & Conventions
Welcome to your hub for all the details on our acclaimed spring Annual Conventions and renowned Fall Technical Seminars! Bookmark this page and be the first to access registration and details as they unfold.
2025 Annual Convention
March 28 — 30th
Holiday Inn & Suites
515 Bypass Road, Williamsburg, VA
Visit hotel website or view location on Google Maps
Reservations may be made by calling the hotel directly at 757-229-9990 or 1 888 HOLIDAY (1 888 465 4329) and mention you’re attending the Horological Association of Virginia’s annual convention.
Stay tuned for all the details!
2024 Annual Convention
March 15 — 17th
Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center
710 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA
Visit hotel website or view location on Google Maps
Reservations may be made by calling (833) 564-0200 and mention you’re attending the Horological Association of Virginia’s annual convention or click the button reserve your room online.
This year’s event promises to be a captivating experience and we’re particularly excited to announce our confirmed speakers: the renowned watchmaker Roland Murphy of RGM Watch Co. alongside precision manufacturer Zach Smith, and esteemed clockmakers Patrick Mont and Bob Ockenden. Their vast expertise and insights promise to captivate and educate attendees. Stay tuned for exciting updates as we finalize the full speaker lineup!
Guest Speakers
Patrick Mont
Patrick Mont is a clockmaker at the Chelsea Clock Company in Boston. He serves as vice president of the Massachusetts Watchmakers-Clockmakers Association, and serves on the board of directors of the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute as chairman of the Industry Advisory Board. When not at the bench, he enjoys spending time behind the ground glass and in the darkroom. He is a passionate fan of music and the arts and is a frequent concertgoer.
Roland Murphy
Roland attended Bowman Technical School in Lancaster, PA in the early 1980s. In 1986 he furthered his watchmaking training in Switzerland at the Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program (WOSTEP). He has also trained at Audemars Piguet, ETA, and Girard Perregaux. After WOSTEP he was hired by SMH to work in product development as technical manager for the Hamilton Watch Co. He remained there until he started RGM Watch Co. in 1992. Many of his ideas come from his vast knowledge and love of watchmaking, watch history, and from his many years of restoring watches which he still enjoys doing to this day.
Bob Ockenden
Robert Ockenden is a nationally known, well-respected voice in the clock making industry. An AWCI-certified master clockmaker, he has been a frequent lecturer at both local and national AWCI conferences. Additionally, he has served in various capacities on the education, strategic planning, and certification committees of the AWCI and has been a consultant to the editorial staff of Horological Times. He is also a member of the British Horological Institute.
Zach Smith
A WOSTEP graduate of the Nicholas G Hayek watchmaking school, CNC Machinist and constantly pursuing the journey of precision manufacturing.
Agenda
| Friday, March 15, 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 PM | Registration and President's Reception | |
| Saturday, March 16, 2024 | ||
| 9:00 AM | Program - Bob Ockenden on Demystifying the Fusee Movement | |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch - on your own | |
| 1:30 PM | Program - Zach Smith on modern manufacturing methods for the watchmaker | |
| 3:00 PM | Program - Patrick Mont on Chelsea Clock: a 144 year tradition of Boston clockmaking | |
| 5:00 PM | Social Hour | |
| 6:00 PM | Banquet | |
| Auction | ||
| Sunday, March 17, 2024 | ||
| 9:30 AM | HAV Board Meeting | |
| 10:30 AM | Speakers Forum - Roland Murphy: “RGM Watch Co. Inspirations from Americas Great Watchmaking Past” | |
| 12:00 PM | Luncheon | |