Henry B. Fried

Henry B. Fried (1907 – 1996) was an American horologist and watchmaker,^[1][2] who wrote the first book on repairing quartz watches.

Biography

Born in New York to a Polish immigrant watchmaker, Fried began his career in horology during the Great Depression as the first teacher of watch- and clock-making at a New York City technical high school, where he taught for 35 years.^[3]

Fried acknowledged the increasing popularity of quartz watches but anticipated a resurgence in mechanical watches.^[3] He wrote the first book on repairing quartz watches.^[3]

Fried held leadership positions in various horological organizations, including the New York City Horological Society, the New York State Watchmakers Association, and the Horological Institute of America.^[3] He was the first American to receive the Silver Medal of the British Horological Institute.^[3]

Fried was known for his skills in handling challenging watchmaking cases.^[3] He owned a personal collection of historical timepieces, including an English weight-driven lantern clock from 1670.^[3]

Awards and honors

A clock tower was dedicated in his name at the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute's headquarters near Cincinnati.^[3][4]