Clocks, Watches/Grandfather clock

Advertisement

Expert: - 1/5/2010


Question

Grandfather clock
Hi John
I have this clock I bought about 20 years ago,it has HAU and 215 on either side of back plate that hold the tubes and crossed arrows on the face.Are you able to  tell me how old it is please.
I have not been able to find out much on the net.

Cheers
Nigel

Answer
Nigel, I'm sorry but I don't have much information on the Hamburg American Clock Company other than what I can find By Googling "Hamburg American Company History".  I did find one bit of interesting information on the company, which I have copied with full credits, from Barrie's virtual Clock Museum.  An interesting note in that the German markings are "H A U", as explained below.



HAC (Hamburg American Company)
Also known as HAU in Germany from the german (sic) company name Hamberg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik.

When Erhard Junghans, founder of the Junghans factory, died in 1876, his widow's son in law, Paul Landenburger, who had acted as business manager for Junghans, left to start his own factory Named Landenburger and Lang.

In 1883 the name was changed to the "Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik",

HAC became a very well known German clock company. Kochmann has numerous references.

The company used many different trademarks but the best known is the "crossed arrows" symbol.

They eventually merged with Junghans in 1930



These brief notes extracted in part from information in Kochmann's book on European trademarks and in part from Black Forest Clocks by E J Tyler

There might be additional numbers on the plates somewhere that might have a serial number or other identification marks or the style of the movement that might help determine the date.  I am really more into giving advice on maintaining and diagnosing clock problems.  I do try to help identifying clocks and the manufacturing dates, but I know that the H A C company did change hands and was connected with an American design.


John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you John for the interesting information.


  • Add to this Answer
  • Ask a Question

John Newman

Expertise

As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been a clockmaker for about 35 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.

Experience

One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.

Organizations
Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee

Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.

Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)

Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama) Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.