About the NAWCC
About the Organization
In 1943, three watch collectors formed a club for horology enthusiasts called The Watch Collectors Club. When the club added clock collectors, they changed the name to the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors. Today, the NAWCC has nearly 10,000 members worldwide.
The NAWCC is committed to being the world leader, educator, and advocate for horology and for everyone interested in timepieces and the art and science of timekeeping.
In pursuit of those goals, the NAWCC:
- Operates a Museum with the largest collection of international timepieces in North America
- Maintains the largest horological research library
- Offers workshops providing opportunities to learn about and care for timepieces
- Conducts ongoing symposiums, regional meetings, and annual conventions
- Publishes six issues of its journal each year: Watch & Clock Bulletin
- Publish videos on a variety of horological topics
- Operates the largest online horological Forums
- Publishes books written by members who are respected authorities on a variety of topics
- Maintains the NAWCC Business Member Directory of experts and service providers
Membership in NAWCC provides access to the Museum, the Library & Research Center, and so much more.
Memberships are available at a variety of levels to suit your interests and budget. Plus, your membership includes free or discounted admission to more than 250 other museums and science centers within the Association of Science-Technology Centers as part of its Passport Program.
What is Horology?
Horology is the study of timekeeping and the making of timepieces. Humans have been measuring time for thousands of years by tracking sunrise and sunset as well as the phases of the Moon and apparent movement of the stars. The ability to track the seasonal cycles, such as the regular flooding of the Nile, directly affected survival. Over the years timekeeping has evolved to encompass ever-smaller increments with accuracy beyond the nanosecond.
Advances in timekeeping prompted global changes in society. Timekeepers began keeping everyone and everything on schedule, from farmers to pharmacists and from sailing ships to space shuttles. Today, almost nothing is coordinated without using a timepiece.
Horology offers an impressive record of engineering genius. One of the best ways to learn more and explore the beauty and ingenuity of timekeepers is to visit the National Watch & Clock Museum and join the NAWCC.