Henry B. Fried
Henry B. Fried was an American horologist and watchmaker, 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.Fried acknowledged the increasing popularity of quartz watches but anticipated a resurgence in mechanical watches. He wrote the first book on repairing quartz watches.
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. He was the first American to receive the Silver Medal of the British Horological Institute.
Fried was known for his skills in handling challenging watchmaking cases. He owned a personal collection of historical timepieces, including an English weight-driven lantern clock from 1670.