Juba Schatz quick-action mantel clock
In the heart of horology, a remarkable discovery was made by a dedicated clock enthusiast who has been collecting timepieces for over eight years. The year was 2018, and it proved to be a successful year for this individual's hobby, with one particular find standing out from the rest.
Nestled among the antique stores of the bustling city, the W3 Aug Schatz & Söhne movement, an anniversary clock from the German manufacturer Jahresuhren-Fabrik August Schatz und Söhne GmbH, caught the collector's eye. Established in 1881, Aug. Schatz & Söhne is a historically significant German company known for its high-quality anniversary clocks, rooted in the Black Forest region's renowned clockmaking heritage.
The W3 movement, dating from the mid to late 1940s, features a mechanical strike mechanism made up of four finely tuned copper rods, creating a distinct bim-bam sound. This clock, priced under CAN$20, also boasts intriguing design elements, such as a circular disk for level compensation, a storage cradle for the pendulum bob, and a robust two-piece steel strike lock.
Despite its affordable price, the W3 movement lacked its original operating instructions. However, the collector was pleased to find that the clock came with the original operating instructions in both English and German. The clock, in excellent condition, reflects the minimalist lines of style common during the post-war period.
The W3 movement is equipped with three chimes: St. Micheal, Whittington, and Westminster. The Whittington chime, a precursor to the bim-bam, featured two strikes on the hour and half hour, creating a musical dual tone. The Normandy chime, another precursor, had two strikes on the hour and a single strike on the half hour, resulting in a unique musical pattern.
August Schatz, the company's founder, was born in 1854 and passed away in 1927. Under his leadership, Aug. Schatz & Söhne produced various clock types, including anniversary and mariner clocks, cottage clocks, bracket clocks, mantel clocks, kitchen clocks, and watches. The company ceased production in 1981, marking the end of an era in the world of fine German clockmaking.
This discovery of the W3 Aug Schatz & Söhne movement in 2018 not only added a unique piece to the collector's growing collection but also highlighted the rich history and craftsmanship of the German clockmaker Aug. Schatz & Söhne. The collector continues to seek out new antique clock sources, eager to uncover more hidden gems in the world of horology.
[1] "100 Jahre Jahresuhren-Fabrik GmbH Aug. Schatz & Söhne. Firmenchronik. 1881-1981", published in 1981 in Triberg, Germany.
- The collector's discovery of the W3 Aug Schatz & Söhne movement, a vintage mantel clock, in 2018 introduced a unique piece to their growing collection and showcased the rich history and craftsmanship of the German clockmaker.
- The collector's hobby, clock collecting, proved fruitful in 2018, with the acquisition of a significant mantel clock, the W3 Aug Schatz & Söhne movement, adding to their lifestyle of home-and-garden decor and technology appreciation.
- The vintage clocks collection of the enthusiastic clock collector includes a rare maintained W3 Aug Schatz & Söhne movement, a historical piece from the prestigious German clock manufacturer, further showcasing their dedication to clock collecting.
