Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks

^{If you have a favorite clock in your collection that has earned a special place in your heart, we invite you to share its unique story with our readers. Whether it’s a vintage masterpiece or a modern marvel, we want to unravel the essence of what makes your clock truly exceptional. Provide me with a history of the clock and/or some interesting details that I could include in a blog article. The only identifier will be the first and last letters of your name and your country location.}

I recently received a letter from D in South Africa, requesting assistance in gathering information about a particularly cherished clock that has been a part of his family for many years. D has graciously given consent for me to feature and profile this special family clock on my blog.

D writes

I hope you don’t mind me reaching out to you. My family has an Empire-style anniversary clock that I believe is rare and I am struggling to find any information, relating to its age, maker, or “story”.

It has been such a part of our family and I regret not exploring the history while family members were still able to shed some light on its origin…
A local clock expert has suggested it was possibly made in the early 1900s in Germany…I contacted Martin Haller who confirmed it was not made by them.

I believe the clock was imported to South Africa by J Muller (a jeweler)who was originally from the Black Forest in Germany and their family became well-known optometrists here in Cape Town. I think they gifted it to my great-grandparents before the First World War.
If you perhaps have any information about the clock I would be most grateful.
Many thanks, D

I was intrigued by D’s clock and decided to do a little digging

My reply

Hi, and thanks for your email, D. First of all, it is a fascinating clock and, in my view, quite rare. Time is the enemy of memories and once the memories are lost, they are lost forever. I know very little of the history of most of the clocks in my collection, unfortunately, but it is nice to learn that your clock has been in your family for such a long time. At least you can trace most of its history.

The photo of the face is a bit blurry but the names on the dial face of a shelf clock such as yours are usually the retailer or a dedication to an individual. I assume there is no maker’s stamp on the movement.

A Haller clock would have been an excellent guess, but I think not.

The plate image of your clock can be found in the Horolovar manual. The Horolovar manual is an indispensable resource for anyone working on, or collecting torsion clocks.

I have attached two photos from the Horolovar manual, a guide to the repair of 400-day and similar torsion clocks to aid in identifying your clock. Yours has Jahresuhrenfabrik c1902 plate 1471 (see photo). Angemeldet means declared; a “declared patent”.

I discovered that the clock was designed by Andreas Huber.

The patent for the movement is dated 1902. Your clock was likely made shortly after that date. While the clock case radiates regal elegance, it is the pendulum that is its most intriguing feature. The pendulum is unique because it is twin-loop temperature-compensating to maintain accuracy throughout its running cycle. A type not found in many anniversary clocks.

Two companies purchased movements from Andreas Huber, Badische Uhrenfabrik, and the more widely known Kienzle, both of Germany. It is also quite possible that Huber sold to other companies such as Schatz or Gustav Becker, but I have found nothing to confirm that.

You have a unique clock and, who knows, a reader somewhere in the world might provide more information so that we can both learn more about this fascinating clock.