Like most clockmakers of his era, the founder of the Lenzkirch Clock Factory started out at Black Forest, Germany. These clocks are distinguished by its finely crafted cases and excellent exclusive designs which makes each antique collectible clock highly valued. The Lenzkirch Clock Factory is the first in Black Forest to mass produce clocks in order to attract larger markets. They were able to combine mass production with quality designs and precise movements.
Eduard Hauser was the founder of The Aktiengessellschaft fur Ukrenfabrikation (Lenzkirch Clock Factory). He initially started out as an apprentice for a music box maker, Johann George Schopperle. Here he learned various skills such as metal working and precision mechanical work which will later be valuable to his true calling. Perhaps in wanting to improve his mechanical skills he left for England, France and Switzerland to study clock making.
During his studies, he felt that if he could accommodate the precision factory methods of these other precision clock making factories abroad, it would greatly improve clock making in Black Forest. Black Forest clocks at that time where done by hand. Each piece is crafted and assembled by artisans, craftsmen and clockmakers with each part touch by different hand, hence losing its technical precision. Although some Black Forest clocks are known for their craftsmanship and exquisite clockwork, they were not famous for precision.
Eduard Hauser opened a small shop of clock parts with Ignaz Shopperle. With the help of Robert Gerwig, the director of the newly established school of clock making at Furtwangen, Hauser and Shopperle slowly introduced to the area the concept of making clocks via an assembly line. In the beginning, they only produced clock parts using new machineries which practically drained their financial capital and investments. The partners eventually joined forces with Franz Josef Faller, Paul Tritscheller, Johann Nikolaus Tritscheller, Albert Tritscheller, Nikolas Rogy and Joseph Weist. They formed the Aktiengesellschaft fur Uhrenfabrikation. Their dynamic merging under Eduard Hauser’s leadership greatly improved the factory’s production and status. Eduard Hauser created machinery far advanced for his period. They made clock parts that were widely known for its precision and reliability.
Eduard, his sons and his predecessors continued to improve the clocks they produced. They integrated new techniques, not only in manufacturing clock parts but as well as in making cases and cabinets. Their tools and clocks gained international reputation for quality and reliability. As proof of their excellent work, Lenzkirch was awarded gold medals in industrial exhibitions, which further uplifted their reputation.
Because of their consistency in making excellent precision clocks, antique clocks by the now non-existent Lenzkirch Clock Factory are highly valued. These antique German clocks are the testimonies of the pioneers in precision clock making. Lenzkirch clocks can be distinguished by their factory name stamped at some of their clock’s cabinet cases. Serial numbers can also determine the age and antiquity of the clock. There are also resources available on Lenzkrich antique clocks online as well as published literatures.