400 days table clock collection - Keinzle

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This clock call 400days due to it not required for manual windings in order to move (do not use any battery). It just use 4 balls that rotate clockwise and counterclockwise automatically with the help of gravity. I really appreciate this germany technology. It can move more than years without stop. The brand is Kienzler. Some people call this type of watch is Dome or Anniversary watch. Anybody have experience of this clock technology can share it with me.

Kienzle brief history

KIENZLE Uhren GmbH is one of Germanys oldest watch labels and combines tradition, modern design and quality in all watch collections. Founded in 1822 in Schwenningen, the company headquarters in Hamburg since 2002.

Contents [hide]
1 History
2 Present
3 Watch collection
4 Corporate philosophy
5 Sponsoring
6 References
7 External links


[edit] History
KIENZLE is founded in 1822 in Schwenningen by Johannes Schlenker. The company soon fabricates 20,000 wall clocks and pendulum clocks per annum.[1][2] In 1883 Jakob Kienzle marries into the Schlenker family and hencefoward he contributes to the expansion of the company. In 1893, 162,000 watches and alarm clocks are made per annum. The name of the company is changed into Schlenker & KIENZLE.

From 1894 on the weight and the costs of alarm clocks and wall clocks can be significantly reduced incorporating the "American System" with standardised individual components and perforated plates. This process is highly innovative at that time. From 1897 on Jakob Kienzle becomes sole owner and also the name of the company changes after some time into today's notation KIENZLE. But not only the watch production is continuously extended and modernised. The international activities are also steadily enlarged. In the following years branches in Milan, Paris and London are established.[3]

In 1900 KIENZLE launches the time stamp clock on the market, followed by inexpensive pocket watches, travelling clocks and wristwatches for ladies. The first clocks for automobiles are also made at that period of time. The so-called "Strapazier-Armbanduhr" is presented in 1931. This watch is extremely resilient because of its special construction. With 25 million sold specimens the watch model becomes a popular product.[4]

At the end of the nineteen-thirties KIENZLE starts the fabrication of two table clocks in the upper price segment: the Zodiac Clock and the World Time Clock. After the Second World War the track record of KIENZLE goes on again with established articles and new products like a parking meter equipped with the latest technology. 1956 the so-called "Volksautomatik" enters the market and is yet another example for the innovative products of the company. Energy is provided by a rotor that wounds in both directions and instead of steel pins the lever is fitted with ruby pins.[5]

In the sixties and seventies KIENZLE becomes market leader in Germany. 1972 the first solar watch named "Heliomat" is produced as well as the first quartz movements.[6] In the following years KIENZLE is the first company to present a quartz travel alarm clock.[7]

The 1986 developed solar watch with light conditions and polycrystalline solar generator represents a novelty. At the beginning of the nineties KIENZLE fabricates the most water-resistant watch in the world with a water-resistance level up to 12,000 meters and presents the world's first radio-controlled "satellite" alarm clock with an analogue waking time setting.

1996 a new radio-controlled movement is perfected: the smallest dual-motor, radio-controlled movement with the fastest setting system. This movement displays the right time within just five minutes and is a world innovation.[8]

[edit] Present
In 1997 KIENZLE is taken over by the Highway Holdings Group. But only five years later in 2002 KIENZLE returns to Germany with the establishment of KIENZLE AG. Since that time the headquarters is located in Hamburg and KIENZLE finds back to old success.[9] The company purchases the worldwide brand and distribution rights and begins with the development and fabrication of three new watch collections in different price segments.[10]

In 2008 KIENZLE moves into the current headquarters, a time honoured merchant's house in Hamburg-Harvestehude, which perfectly represents the company and its values: quality, tradition and innovation.[11][12]

In the future KIENZLE extends to a medium-sized lifestyle brand. KIENZLE OPTIK is the first expansion segment to be launched on the market. However watches and clocks will remain the core area of the brand.[10]

[edit] Watch collection

Edition Jakob Kienzle #4The watch collection of the company includes numerous models in different price segments. Based on the corporate philosophy KIENZLE designs and produces distinctive watches for discerning individuals.[13]

"KIENZLE KLASSIK" covers the entry price level while "KIENZLE 1822" handles the mid-price segment and the "EDITION JAKOB KIENZLE" meets highest demands. Alongside there are alarm clocks and wall clocks as ever.[14]

"KIENZLE KLASSIK" and "KIENZLE 1822" are similar in their classification. "KIENZLE KLASSIK" is structured in Mechanics, Sports, Elegance, Classical, Satellite and pocket watches. The design is up-to-date and diversified with different case shapes and dials.[15]

The name "KIENZLE 1822" is leaned on the founding year of the company and handles the mid-price segment. The five classifications are called Mechanics, Sports, Luxury, Retro and pocket watches. These models are distinguishable from each other through different mechanical movements and designs. The collection "Retro" exhibits classical design and robust mechanical calibres. The collection "Sports" is a contrast by incorporating dynamic and action. Typical is for example the use of steel bracelets in place of leather.[16]

The "EDITION JAKOB KIENZLE" meets the highest demands and is the highlight of the watch collection. Eight luxurious models with different complications can be distinguished. The watches are numbered and do not have a special name. Watch "No.3" is characterised by a 52-week display, while "No.4" has a perpetual calendar and "No.5" is available with a moon phase.[17] The design is traditional and complies outstanding watchmaking.[18]

The "EDITION COLOR" is the latest collection of the brand and comes along with fresh colours on the inside of the leather straps.[1] Most of the models are "Made in Germany".[19]

[edit] Corporate philosophy
The company is one of Germanys oldest watch labels with almost 200 years of company history. KIENZLE is more than a watch label - KIENZLE is German contemporary history and the new innovative collections are based on the great past.

Quality and classical elegance are combined with uncommon design elements and innovative technology. The values of the company, tradition, innovation, accuracy and a great price-performance ratio are recognisable in all collections.[20]

[edit] Sponsoring
Since the last decades KIENZLE regularly conveys different sponsoring projects whereas the focus is on sport. In 1992 Katja Seizinger was supported doing the Olympic Games.[21]

In the last years KIENZLE sponsored the SG Flensburg-Handewitt. From the season 2009/2010 KIENZLE will be official partner of the Hamburg sports club and will support the Bundesliga-watch in the arena.

But also social projects are important to the company. KIENZLE supports the Hamburg Leuchtfeuer Hospiz which is under the patronage of Hamburg mayor Ole von Beust.[22][23]


History of Torsion Suspension Clocks

The invention of the Torsion Suspension Clock can be attributed to an American named Aaron Crane. In 1841, Crane , a resident of Newark, New Jersey patented his idea for a clock using a torsion pendulum. He successfully made torsion clocks that would run for eight or thirty days, or some for a period of one year without winding. Crane also developed an astronomical clock based on the torsion suspension patent, but only four were made. Several of Crane’s original clocks are still in existence today.

Although two other Americans, Silas B. Terry of Plymouth, Connecticut and John Hile of Waterville, Kansas also patented torsion suspension movements in the 1800's, none of them proved to be very successful or popular.

It was not until approximately 1879/1880 that a German by the name of Anton Harder was granted a patent for a torsion suspension clock. His inspiration came about when he watched a servant turning a chandelier to ignite the last candle. When he released the lamp it swung back and forth. Harder visualized the principle of the rotation of mass, and figured he could make a clock that would run for a long period of time using this motion. Harder soon developed and patented a clock movement from this idea.

In 1880, Harder got together with some of his workers including one August Schatz, and they formed Jahresuhrenfabrik or Year Clock Factory, and began to seriously work on developing a torsion suspension clock that would run for a year with one winding, and be an accurate timekeeper. The clock was indeed developed and would run for a year, but the timekeeping accuracy of the clock left much to be desired.

In 1884, Harder sold his patent to one F.A..L. deGruyter of Amsterdam who continued to market the Jahresuhrenfabrik clocks. But in 1887, for some unknown reason, deGruyter allowed the patent to run out, and the idea was soon adopted by several other clock companies, and mass production of torsion suspension clocks began. To begin with, pendulums for the clocks consisted of a flat disc pendulum. Later on, several other designs of pendulums were developed in an attempt to make the clocks more reliable timekeepers, and eventually creation turned to the four ball pendulum we find on most of these clocks today.

In 1901, Bowler and Burdick, a jewelry store in Cleveland, OH took out a patent for the name Anniversary Clock as applied to the torsion suspension clock. This name soon caught on and it became common for people to choose an anniversary of some sort to wind the clock each year. This, along with 400 day Clocks, are commonly the names we give to these clocks today.

But the clocks, as nice as they looked in their glass domes with the pendulum swinging back and forth, were very poor timekeepers. Clockmakers spent many years in trying to develop a pendulum they thought would increased the accuracy of the clock. It was known that temperature change affected the accuracy, so experiments were carried out using various metals to counteract the expansion and contraction of the pendulum, but to no avail.

But it turned out they were attacking the wrong area. Where the problem lie was in the suspension spring itself. It was not until 1951 when Charles Terwillinger of Horolovar Company invented the Temperature Compensating Suspension Spring, that the clocks could be properly adjusted and become fairly accurate tellers of time.

400 Day Clocks became very popular gift items at the end of WWII when returning soldiers brought them back to North America by the thousands. Soon department and jewelry stores were importing them and they became very popular as wedding gifts. Around 1980, most torsion suspension clock manufacturers quit producing the key wind clocks, and turned their attention to those with quartz movements. Thus, these key wind clocks have now become sought after by collectors, and shall be the antiques of the near future.