When we think of timeless craftsmanship in horology, few names evoke such respect as Jahresuhrenfabrik, also known to many collectors as JUF or Schatz. Known for their invention and refinement of the 400-day clock, Jahresuhrenfabrik clocks are more than timekeepers—they are heirlooms of mechanical artistry. Their story begins in the heart of Germany’s Black Forest and spans over a century of innovation, adaptation, and beauty.

🏔️ A Black Forest Beginning

The company was founded in the mid-1850s by August Schatz, originally under the name Schatz & Wintermantel. Located in Triberg, nestled in Germany’s historic Black Forest region, the company emerged at a time when southern Germany was a global center for traditional clockmaking.

In 1881, the business took on a more focused identity and was officially named Jahresuhrenfabrik A.G., which translates to “Year Clock Factory.” By 1897, it was restructured as Jahresuhrenfabrik GmbH, emphasizing its specialization in clocks that could run an entire year on a single winding.

🔧 The 400-Day Clock Revolution

What truly set Jahresuhrenfabrik apart was its commitment to refining the torsion pendulum clock—a design that relies on a rotating, twisting pendulum rather than a swinging one. This innovation significantly reduced friction and energy consumption, allowing clocks to run for 400 days (or more) without needing to be rewound.

This made the clocks both practical and poetic: wind it once on a special occasion—an anniversary, perhaps—and it wouldn’t need attention again until the next year. Hence the nickname: anniversary clocks.

JUF’s designs were both mechanically innovative and aesthetically elegant, often enclosed under a glass dome and crafted with ornate brass, enamel, or ceramic details. These timepieces soon became sought-after exports, especially in North America.

🐘 Branding with Strength: The Double Elephant

In 1900, JUF registered its now-iconic double elephant trademark—a symbol of strength, longevity, and reliability. While the emblem appeared primarily on company documents and movements early on, it wasn’t until the 1920s that it began to show up prominently on clock dials.

Collectors today still use the double elephant as one of the identifying marks of authentic early Jahresuhrenfabrik clocks.

👨‍👦 A Family Legacy: Aug. Schatz & Söhne

In 1923, the company underwent a significant transition and rebranded as Jahresuhrenfabrik August Schatz & Söhne, marking the next generation’s involvement. Over time, the clocks bore the simpler and more modern name Schatz, and the company became one of the best-known producers of torsion clocks globally.

While JUF had competitors like Kundo (Kieninger & Obergfell), their commitment to mechanical quality and design set them apart—especially in their ability to produce clocks that remained stylish yet technically advanced.

🌍 A Postwar Renaissance

After World War II, Schatz clocks experienced a renaissance. The company introduced models that appealed to both the traditional and modern market, including carriage clocks, mantel clocks, and even electromechanical hybrids. By the 1950s and 1960s, Schatz was exporting large quantities to the United States, Canada, and Europe, and their clocks became a fixture in homes and offices worldwide.

This postwar era solidified Jahresuhrenfabrik’s place in clockmaking history. The quality of their workmanship ensured that many of these clocks still operate flawlessly today—decades after they were made.

🧭 The End of an Era

Despite their success, the rise of quartz movements and digital clocks in the 1970s and 1980s marked a slow decline for traditional mechanical clockmakers. Eventually, Schatz ceased clock production, but not before leaving behind a rich catalog of beautifully engineered timepieces.

🏆 A Legacy That Still Ticks

Today, collectors and horology enthusiasts continue to admire and preserve Jahresuhrenfabrik clocks. Forums, restoration communities, and antique markets all pay homage to the JUF legacy. The clocks, with their slow-turning pendulums and polished domes, represent more than mechanical precision—they embody a moment in history when timekeeping was a craft.

Whether you inherited one or found one ticking away in an antique store, a Jahresuhrenfabrik clock isn’t just an object. It’s a legacy that keeps on ticking.

When you think of classic mechanical clocks, few names carry as much nostalgic charm and horological prestige as Kieninger & Obergfell—better known to many as Kundo. With origins in Germany’s Black Forest, this legendary clockmaker left an indelible mark on the world of timekeeping, especially during the golden age of mechanical clocks in the 20th century.

A Black Forest Beginning

Founded in 1899 in St. Georgen, a town nestled in Germany’s famed Black Forest region, Kieninger & Obergfell was born into an area steeped in clockmaking tradition. The founders, Joseph Kieninger and Thomas Obergfell, combined their mechanical expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to build a company focused on precision, durability, and design.

From the very start, the firm was driven by a mission to innovate while honoring the craftsmanship that made German clocks world-renowned.

Meet “Kundo”

To give their clocks a distinct identity, the company soon adopted the brand name Kundo—a blend of Kieninger und Obergfell. That name would become iconic in homes around the world, especially after the company’s breakthrough product: the 400-day clock, also known as the anniversary clock.

These clocks used a torsion pendulum mechanism, allowing them to run for over a year on a single winding. Housed in delicate glass domes with polished brass accents, Kundo clocks weren’t just functional—they were works of art that became centerpieces in living rooms and mantelpieces globally.

Boom Years: Post-WWII Expansion

The mid-20th century was the golden era for Kundo. After World War II, demand for well-crafted German goods surged. Kieninger & Obergfell began exporting large volumes of clocks to the United States, Canada, and Western Europe. Their elegant yet reliable clocks found a ready market during the home décor boom of the 1950s and ’60s.

Whether it was a gleaming anniversary clock under a dome or a compact electric desk model, Kundo became a household name—synonymous with quality, longevity, and beauty.

Always Ticking Forward

Kundo wasn’t content to rest on tradition alone. As technology evolved, so did their clocks. By the 1960s, the company had developed a range of electromechanical clocks and even ventured into early quartz innovations. Their Kundo Electronic series blended traditional aesthetics with cutting-edge battery-powered movements—a smart move as tastes began shifting.

This willingness to adapt helped Kieninger & Obergfell stay relevant as long as possible during an era of rapidly changing consumer preferences.

The Quartz Challenge and Industry Shift

Despite their efforts to modernize, the advent of quartz watches and digital timekeeping in the 1970s marked a turning point. These newer technologies offered greater accuracy at a fraction of the cost—and they required virtually no maintenance.

Like many traditional clockmakers, Kieninger & Obergfell struggled to compete. Gradually, the brand’s presence faded from store shelves, and production was eventually discontinued or absorbed into other firms.

A Collectible Legacy

Though the company no longer produces new clocks, Kundo’s legacy lives on. Today, their vintage anniversary clocks are cherished by collectors for their:

• Mechanical ingenuity
• Classic mid-century styling
• Intricate craftsmanship

Many of these clocks still work flawlessly with only minor maintenance, a testament to the company’s original quality standards. Restoration communities and horology forums continue to support Kundo enthusiasts, keeping the brand’s memory alive—one ticking clock at a time.

Final Thoughts

Kieninger & Obergfell may not be a household name anymore, but their clocks remain timeless—quite literally. Whether you inherited one from a grandparent or spotted one gleaming under a glass dome at an antique shop, there’s something captivating about a Kundo clock.

It’s more than just a way to tell time—it’s a beautifully engineered story from the past, still ticking today.