Things I have learned about
Lenzkirch Clocks
The Best quality
Clock factory
in Lenzkirch Germany
[ a work in process ]
By Dean Kinard
Last Updated: 11/09/2004
Here's a copy of a book that I acquired on a recent trip to
Lenzkirch Germany.
It's limited edition and I have only 4 copies left. Click
Here
Lenzkirch - Uhrenfabrik
Lenzkirch -Badenia Black Forest Germany 069/16
The small, modest workshop of the "LENZKIRCH - UHRENFABRIK", founded
1849 by Eduard Hauser (1825-1900) and Ignaz Schoepperle (1810-1882) with the
formation fo the ACTIEN-GESELSCHAFT / UHRENFABRIKATION registered 08.31.1851.
The Lenzkirch Uhrenfabrikation, in short time achieved do the excellency in
craftsmanship, design, and style a leading position in the fast expanding Black
Forest Clock Industry.
The Lenzkirch clocks were made and machined from full
stock brass and steel. All gears were precision machine finished.
Under Eduard Hauser technical skill and dynamic leadership the Lenzkirch Clocks
were of first Quality, but the Lenzkirch clocks priced themself out of the
market. Economical circumstances finally forced the Lenzkirch enterprises
in the year 1927 to merge with the GEBRUDER JUNGHANS A.G. Schramberg.
For detailed literature of the Lenzkirch ..) See the book in the references
below by K.K. Kochman.
Partial serial number chart
(1)
according to K.Kochman
1851 - 4,600 - 4.6k/year
1860 - 31,800
1865 - 40,000 , 9k/year
1870 - 165,000
1875 - 227,000 , 18k/year
[ <A notice as put out 1875 warning of counterfeit movements and they made a
new trademark for > 227k 185k-227k had a special serial number that changed
at that point ]
1880 - 500,000
1885 - 655,000
1890 - 700,000
1895 - 810,000 , 17.2k/year
1900 - 1,000,000
1925 - ND - 1,200,000?
1928 - 1,600,000
I've seen serial numbers as high as 2million +
On ebay Auction - S/N 525706 had a DRP of 1880 on it.
Partial serial number chart
(2) :
According to German Language book Lenzircher Uhren 150Jahre
I am more inclined to trust this chart than the previous one.
It looks to have had better research done on it. (Dean)
Noteworthy - Page 40/41
1,000,000 - Stamped - Feb 1894 - Book has a photo of this
movement with s/n & date
2,000,000 - Stamped - May 1923 - Book has a photo of this movement with
s/n & date - 4/4 Westminster
1852 - 23,256
1855 - 93,024
1860 - 209,304
1865 - 325,584
1870 - 441,864
1875 - 558,114
1880 - 574,424
1885 - 790,704
1890 - 906,984
1894 - 1,000,000 *
1895 - 1,038,867
1900 - 1,233,242
1905 - 1,427,617
1910 - 1,621,992
1915 - 1,816,267
1920 - 2,010,652 *
1925 - 2,505,017
1930 - 2,399,392
The British Horological Site has an index of dates that is directly from the Kochman book. This is the book that I believe is incorrect. It also shows some of the trademarks the company used.
Go here to take a look.
http://www.bhi.co.uk/hints/lenz.htm
Lenzkirch is a stunningly beautiful town in
the Black Forest (Schwartzwald) area of Germany in the "county" of
Baden-Württemberg. The Black Forest, more recently is known to many primarily
for the prolific number of CuckCoo clocks that are made there, most notably near
Triberg. But in the late 19th century, was a hotbed of some of the most
famous names in German clockmaking: Lenzkirch (Lenzkirch) , Winterhalder
& Hoffmieier (Neustadt), , Junghans.. Mauthe, Furtwangen & Sohns, and
others.... Furtwangen is home to the Deutsche Uhren Museum and is
certainly worth a visit. <link to follow>
Gustav Becker is commonly thought to have been from the Black Forest area also,
as there is a Freiburg there to the West, but I believe that Freiburg in Silesia
is in modern day Poland. More research to follow on this subject.
Where is Lenzkirch ? Click below to see on the maps.
Click below on the thumbnails if you want to see what the
area around the town Lenzkirch is like. Many people there know of the
clockmaking industry and it is cause for a great deal of (justified) pride in
the residents. Note, In the last two pictures I had a couple of local residents
that were outstanding in their field, come by to say hello :)
I stayed in the Hotel Adler Post, a very pleasant and moderately priced
hotel.
Titisee is another cute town 10km (6miles) from Lenzkirch
and is only too aware of it's roots in the Black Forest clock making and selling
trade. It's a little "touristy" but charming none the less.
Here's some photos of Titisee (9/2001)
All photos copyright Dean Kinard , Maps copyright Microsoft from AutoRoute Europe 2001.
More to follow: (someday)
REGARDING TRADEMARKS
(Under construction, lots more work will be done)
(will have photos of movements and trademarks)
Better Photos will be posted later(someday)
This is a continual work in process
Reference Material Used:
The Lenzkirch and Winderhalder & Hoffmeier Clocks by K.K Kochman
Clock and Watch Trademark Index European Origin Georg Jacob GMBH Leipzig @1988, Reprint 1996.
Lenzkircher Uhren 1851-2001 Jahre (German Language Book) with hundreds of photographs. I have extras of this if you wish to purchase one. It's worth owning and there are not many left to be found
Copyright 2002, Dean Kinard, All rights reserved.
Last Updated: 11/09/2004 22:10