Tuesday, March 10, 2009

ANTIQUE GERMAN CLOCKS

When Americans think of German clocks, usually among the first mentioned cuckoo clocks. But Germany has a fine history of clock making that goes back to the mechanical clocks. Remember that spring-driven clocks were developed during the fifteenth century. At the very beginning of the sixteenth century, in 1504, a rather colorful character named Peter Henlein invented the first portable timepiece, the watch, as well as the watch mainspring, in Nuremberg, Germany. This event marked the beginning of the prominence of twin towns of Augsburg and Nuremburg, in that part of southern Germany known as Bavaria, as clock making centers during the sixteenth century.
The first spring-driven table clocks of the era were either drum-shaped or square boxes with the dial located on the top. The clock works were sophisticated enough to include a fusee to control the power of the mainspring. Since clockmakers came from the ranks of jewelers, silversmiths and goldsmiths, the German clocks of the sixteenth century had ornate metal cases. These clock cases typically featured a cast scene of exotic animals like an elephant or monkey. The dial of German antique clocks used just a single hand to indicate time marked in Roman numerals for 1 to 12. Recall that parts of Europe did not adopt a standardized 12-hour day until later.
I have some great clocks for you~!! Did research on the many clocks I have-They are so much fun~!

ANTIQUE JAPANESE CLOCKS

The Seiko name was adopted in 1924 with the introduction of its first wrist watch, the company was actually founded 43 years earlier by a clockmaker in Tokyo's Ginza District. Known for its accuracy and craftsmanship, Seiko watch became a huge success. 1938,demand for the timepieces pushed production to well over one million watches.
1913, after 2 decades of clock technology, production began the 1st wristwatch made under the Seikosha name. Mass production was adopted.In 1924, the Seiko brand is born,the first wristwatch bearing the Seiko name is made. Seiko began with ten workers under Kintaro Harttori and the establishment of a clock factory at Tokyo.

I have some great clocks for you~!! Did research on the many clocks I have-They are so much fun~!