NOT a talking machine post! Help needed Vienna Wall Clock

[dennislpr]

Hello guys I already ask in a couple of clock forums but no one has reply yet that's why I'm turning to my fellow talking machine collectors here. I recently acquire this wall clock, the spring driven movement has the Carl Werner trademark but that's all I know about it. I would like a little more information like year, model, or anything else you might know about this clock.

[Valecnik]

Carl Werners turn up in the shops here from time to time, Prague being less than 3 hours from Vienna. I'd date it to around 1900 based on the style, made in Vienna and may have made it's way to the US in the 70s when tons of clocks were imported to the US by dealers. It's hard to get real specific information on these.

You might try writing these guys. They have dozens of similar clocks in their shop at any time.

http://www.kralovstvihodin.cz/sluzby

[Raphael]

Interestingly, Carl Werner is not mentioned in the reference book "Viennese Clockmakers and What They Left Us", by F.H. van Weijdom Claterbos. His addendum lists hundreds of clockmakers. Here is an excerpt about the export of these clocks in general:

[Valecnik]

Thanks Raphael,

As your article confirms, the export of these clocks seems to have been a complete free-for-all. Mechanisms were mismatched with cases by the container load.

[dennislpr]

Thank you guys for all the info, The other members from the nawcc forum finally reply back, this is the information they provided.
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Hello Dennis,

From Karl Kochmann's book on European trademarks: C. Werner registered the trademark in 1887 and the company was sold in 1899 to Braukmann.

Based on that information the clock dates from roughly 1890 - 1899.

Spring driven Vienna regulators are often referred to "R&A" that was typically written on pendulum bobs: "R" = retard (slow down) and "A" advance (speed up).

Andy Dervan
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Actually, per Schmid's Lexikon, the Firm Herman Braukmann declared bankruptcy in 1899, and in 1903 sold its factory at Vilingen to Werner. Werner continued in business until 1913, when it was sold to Kienzle. Schmid's book shows a Werner letterhead dated July 24, 1898, with the 1887 (Feb. 1, 1887) trademark, but an advertisement or announcement (Anzeige) dated "um [about] 1905," shows a later horseshoe trademark. I don't know whether the 1887 trademark was still in use in 1905. Just FWIW.

[Valecnik]

We've had a wall clock and at least one phonograph in our living room almost forever. We really miss it when it goes in for a cleaning every two or three years.

[Raphael]

Unfortunately, the market values for these type of clocks has fallen dramatically over the past 10 years, and show no sign of improvement. I have three Grand Sonnerie regulators that I paid an average of about $4,000/each for, and I doubt they would fetch $1,500 these days. But they continue to be a decorous enjoyment for us, and well worth whatever we paid for them.

[Valecnik]

Unfortunately, the market values for these type of clocks has fallen dramatically over the past 10 years, and show no sign of improvement. I have three Grand Sonnerie regulators that I paid an average of about $4,000/each for, and I doubt they would fetch $1,500 these days. But they continue to be a decorous enjoyment for us, and well worth whatever we paid for them.

Raphael, those are some beauties, especially that Laterndluhr!

Regarding prices, I feel your pain. I'll never get the purchase price out of the four I currently own either but certainly enjoy having them around. And then again, I'll still get something for them after years of enjoyment. Wish I could say the same for the ~$2000 TV I purchased a few years back!

[dennislpr]

Believe me when I tell you this, I'm extremely happy with this clock. I find it beautiful and that it goes very well with my small phonograph collection motif. I didn't paid a lot of money for it like some of you guys did, I guess I was lucky and that's one more reason to be more happy with it, anyways I think the German clocks from this era are gorgeous.