400 day or “Anniversary” clocks were introduced in the 1880s in Germany. Their popularity had its ups and downs, reaching a peak in the 1950s, when many U.S. servicemen sent clocks home as gifts.
For years, most 400 day clocks did not have the maker’s name or country on the dial. Later (1920s?), “Made in Germany” started appearing on the bottom of dials. Finally, in the early 1950s, it became customary for the maker’s name (or an abbreviation) to appear on the dial. Examples:
- Heco: Henry Coehler & Co. (a U.S. importer, not a maker)
- Herr: Uhrehfabrik Herr
- Kern: Kern & Sohne
- Koma: Konrad Mauch
- Kundo: Kieninger & Obergfell (K und O)
- Schatz: Aug. Schatz & Sohne (also known as Jahreuhrenfabrik)
I just repaired a Schatz (Jahresuhrenfabrik) 400 day clock that made about 1949 or 1950. The movement has no date, and says Jahresuhrenfabrik (German for Year Clock Company) in the circle around the 49. The number 49 is supposed to represent the year (1949) that this model of movement was introduced, although very similar movements had been made by this company since around 1900 or earlier.
The dial on this clock does not say “Schatz”, and I have seen other made about the same time with no name on the dial. Judging from the examples I have seen, the name Schatz starting appearing on dials around 1950 or 1951. If you have any information about this, please leave a comment below.
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- 400 day clock made about 1950, before “Schatz” was put on the dials.
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- The dial has no name (later dials say “Schatz”). It says “Made In Germany” at the bottom.
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- Hrolovar back plate no. 1278. No date. Labeled Jahresuhrenfabrik, Germany, 49 inside the circle.
Repair Work
This clock had one very rough pivot (front center wheel pivot) which probably caused excessive friction. I smoothed and burnished it, polished the other pivots, and smooth broached the pivot holes.
The movement is no. 1278 in the Horolovar 400 Day Clock Repair Guide. It uses a 0.004 inch thick suspension spring.
Repair job 5015.
Related posts:
Bill I see the 400 day clock is in a New condition
in future I want some fotos of these clocks (special models) for my website.
I am now working on watches up to 1500.
Regards Peter
Hi Peter, Your web site is looking good! You are welcome to use any of my photos, just give credit that they came from clockinfo.com. You can click on the photo, then click again to get a high resolution version.
– Bill
Bill,
I hope you can help me with a Kundo (on face) anniversary clock I picked up at the Goodwill for $5.00. I am not a “clock” expert or even a novice but I like old things and tinkering. My clock has a broken suspension spring (I think). Can you please help me locate a replacement part and provide any pointers you may have on its installation and subsequent “tuning” of this cute old clock? I am hoping to have it ready by Christmas for my wife. Thank you for your time.
The following web site shows suspension springs and instructions on eBay:
http://400day.com/Store/400-day-susp-springs
Hi
I have a schatz 400 day clock I want to know if its fake or not. It has a plastic cover and its battery operated. My parents brought it in the 70′s in Hong Kong someone help me out please
Schatz did make some clocks that are battery operated but look like 400 day clocks. They are not as common as the windups.
Hello Bill,
I have a 400 days clock with the same dial(earthenware).
It is an electro-méchanical one(not a quartz!),with a suspension spring,just like the classicals ones made by KERN.
PS:Excuse my rosted english,I’m french…
Regards,
David
If any readers know of a Schatz anniversary clock with a battery powered motor that might be for sale, please write me. Thanks timebum@gmail.com
Hello bill,
Would you be so kind as to take a look at this topic:
http://www.horlogerie-suisse.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12309
Could you tell me about it?When was it make?What kind of battery to put in?
Thank you,
Regards,
Hi Bill,
I was given a Schatz clock recently and I know nothing about it. I have been looking all over the internet for information but I haven’t been able to find anything about this particular clock. I came across this site and I hope you can please tell me something about my clock.
The whole clock looks like brass with plastic on all 4 sides. The name Schatz is on the dial and on the back of the clock. A small circle contains the words : AUG.SCHATZ&SOHNE GERMANY and in the middle of the circle is : W3
This clock has 3 key holes on the dial and small hammers that strike bars that play a tune every 15 minutes. On the underside of the case it says: AUG.SCHATZ&SOHNE
MADE IN GERMANY
Thank you, Coleen
Schatz made these chime clocks in the late 1950s and early 1960s. They are attractive because you can see the whole works, but they can be expensive to repair. Some of them play only Westminster chimes, and some have a choice of 3 chime melodies.
Thanks Bill,
My clock plays 3 different chime melodies. Do you know if it has a name like other Schatz clocks?
I have a battery powered (size C battery) Schatz with ‘Aug. Schatz & Sohne’ with what appears to be ‘ONF 1 Jewels’ then underneath ‘W121′ stamped on the metal backing plate. The ball pendulum is driven by a separate motor in the base. Could you give me any details about it? Thank you.
I have a battery powered (size C batrery) anniversary clock with a glass dome with the words on the bottom, “Aug. Schatz and Sohne” with what appears to say “Onf 1 Jewels” It was made in West Germany. I purchased it in 1981. The clock still keeps time, however, the ball pendulum has stoped working (appears to be catching on something)and the two hammer chimes striker chimes one hour ahead of the correct time. I have three questions. (1) Can the ball pendulum problem be fixed by taking it apart and oiling? (2) Can the chimes problem be corrected. And (3) If not, can I order parts somewhere to replace. Thank you for whatever help you can give me.
Hi i am from egypt my father had a watch that has data no(0)jewels unadjucted 1 55 and aug – schatz & sohne 49 germany
i have a clock that is exactly the same as described above as the 4oo day 1949-1950 in perfect working order except the face, ball pendulums, and pillars are a rose color. is this rare or common and any value? thanks for any info….rich
These colored ones are less common than the regular brass ones.
I have a mantel clock as described in comment #15 only mine has a 7 & 55 on it. The key is missing and the string that holds the ball pendulums is gone. It’s been in my family since I was a kid but I don’t remember if it works. Is it fixable and what would it cost (ballpark) to fix it?
I’ll be happy to repair it. Please see my 400 day clock repair page for pricing information:
http://billsclockworks.com/repair/400Day.htm
Hi Bill
We were given a Schatz pedulam clock on the face has Schatz and at the bottom of the dial has made in germany Can you tell me how old it is roughly?
Sorry its a 400 day clock.
Hi June, You can check to see if there is a date on the back. There will be digits for the month and year. For example, 8 53 will be August 1953. If there is no date, then it was made between 1949 and mid-1952.
Where I can replace only the engine clock of a royal marine made by agust schatz and sohne
I have the exact same clock you have pictured, and have replaced the spring with the correct size spring, and have cleaned and oiled it with nye clock oil. Have leveled it and have adjusted the top that turns so that the pallets release evenly on both sides. But it stops periodically. I am wondering if the adjustment of where the two fingers engage the rod attached to the pallets needs to be, does it need to be near the top of the rod or closer to the pallets? Or what is the distance between the part attached to the fingers and where the spring is held at the top? All the pivots move freely. How far does your pendulum turn? One full turn? Three quarter turn? Does the radius of movement have anything to indicate an adjustment? Is there any chance that something is worn and preventing the full force to keep the pendulum moving? Thanks.
I judt found a henry coehler anniversary clock made in west germany, has kern on the face, and heso on the back, the key has ks on it. can you give me any information on tis clock? Thank You Barb
My Mother had a Schatz anniversary clock dtd 49 that she gave to me. I do not have a key and would like to obtain one. Any suggestions? Thanks
You may buy these keys on ebay. Or, I can sell you one for $15. Please send a check to:
Bill’s Clockworks
8 W. Columbia Street
Flora, IN 46929
Please specify that you need a key for a Schatz 49.
I live in New Zeaaland and have a 400 day clock similar to that shown on your website as “Schatz about 1950″. Mine has no identification of any sort other than a trademark on the backplate of clock dial and 2 elephants. My 90mm dial is same as yours but without any text, gable top to the front plate has the 3 knobs but is higher and pierced with 2 holes, columns plain, dial bezel ornate. Condition VG but needs new torsion spring. Could you please confirm it is Schatz, date and if worth repairing.
regards
Hi Bill,
I need a suspension spring guard for my Schatz 400 Day clock. It’s a #49 with no date stamp on the back but has the Schatz name on the dial. Can you help me?
Thanks -
It’s the round guard with that slides with a thumb screw lock….
I have a Schatz-1949 Minature Pendulum Clock that is not keeping the Pendulum energized. when I start the Pendulum the minute hand moves when the Pemdulum cycles. When I try to wind the Main Spring, it winds about six clicks and then makes a sound and does not wind the spring . Is the spring broken? What is the cost of replacing the Spring, Labor and part? Merry Christmas, John
Please see the following web page for information on my repair service: http://billsclockworks.com/repair/400Day.htm
Sometimes other parts are damaged when a mainspring breaks, in which case the overhaul would cost more.