Exploring the Enigmatic Kienzle World Time Clock: Insights into Its Fascinating Mechanics
In 1939, Kienzle, a renowned German clock manufacturer established in 1822, unveiled a remarkable timepiece that would leave an indelible mark in history - the Kienzle World Time Clock. This clock, presented to Adolf Hitler on his 50th birthday, holds significant historical value as an embodiment of German clockmaking tradition and its intersection with political history.
At the time of its introduction, Kienzle boasted a workforce of over 6500 employees and a production rate of 5 million clocks. The World Time Clock, with its intricate design and advanced horological features, was a testament to the company's craftsmanship and technical prowess.
The original World Time Clock, characterised by its bulky "foot" or base and decorated with swastika patterns on the edge, represented a sophisticated timepiece designed during the era of the Third Reich. While specific details about the exact clock gifted to Hitler are limited, it is known that such clocks symbolised technological prowess and were often used as prestigious gifts to significant figures, reflecting power and global reach.
The clock's significance lies primarily in its association with Hitler's 50th birthday, making it a notable piece of horological memorabilia tied to a historically consequential figure and period. As a World Time clock, it would display multiple time zones, showcasing technical complexity and symbolising control over time and world events, aligning with the propagandistic image disseminated by the Nazi regime.
Post World War II, the decoration on the Kienzle World Time clock was altered, and the base became smaller. The clock remained available for purchase until Kienzle's bankruptcy in 1996.
The design of the Kienzle World Time clock was the brainchild of Heinrich Johannes Moeller, who worked for Kienzle from 1931 to 1970. The general layout of the dial was preserved through all permutations of the Kienzle World Time clock, from the early mechanical versions to the quartz movements in the 1980s. Notably, at least one Kienzle World Time clock was made in 1939.
In summary, the Kienzle World Time clock from 1939 is significant both horologically, as an advanced German-made multi-timezone clock, and historically, as a gifted item to Adolf Hitler marking his 50th birthday, representing the overlap of craftsmanship with political symbolism. Its design, created by Moeller, has stood the test of time, with the general layout of the dial preserved through various iterations of the clock. Despite its controversial history, the Kienzle World Time clock remains a fascinating piece of horological history.
[1] Kienzle's long history demonstrates their role as important German clock manufacturers, capable of producing sophisticated and meaningful timepieces such as the World Time clock of 1939. However, more detailed specifics about design features or production context for this exact clock require specialized historical or collector sources beyond the general references currently available.
[1] The Kienzle World Time clock of 1939, a remarkable artifact of home-and-garden history, showcases Kienzle's long-standing expertise in vintage clocks. [2] This sophisticated timepiece, a blend of gadgets and technology, served as a prestigious gift in the lifestyle of significant political figures during the pre-WWII era.
