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.