1888 - The birth
It all began in 1888 with Frédéric Imhof, who was an artist and made dials for the major clock companies of the day. The adventure began with a single dial maker and quickly grew into a fully-fledged clock manufacturing facility, shipping timepieces to the four corners of the world.
The Manufacture
Arthur decided to branch out on his own, founding the Manufacture de Pendulette d’Art Arthur Imhof S.A. in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Like his father before him, Arthur was an entrepreneur and embarked on an expansion strategy that would integrate the production of clock mechanisms into the business too. One of his missions was also to democratize clock ownership by producing affordable lines that kept the company’s reputation for high-quality timekeepers, but opened up the business to new audiences. In a relatively short period, he was shipping clocks to the Americas, Asia, and beyond.
Singing bird clock Made in Switzerland by ImHof circa 1960. Brass case in a shape of bird cage. The base of the case enclosing a bird automaton mechanism, after activated by a button behind, the bird with colorful feathers will sing and flap its wings.
Swiss Inclined Plane Gravity clock
The know-how that defies gravity in this technical prowess from IMHOF, where the clock traverses the entire plane over the course of one week. At the end of the week, the clock is lifted and replaced at the top of the plane. The drum movement is driven by a large counterweight, regulated by a lever platform escapement, the movement backplate being visible through the glazed back of the drum.
Imhof Tempus Fugit
A rare Imhof swiss globe design table desk clock with 8 day movement made in the 60ies. A luminous globe is held by a brass gold plated decorative stand. The lower part of the shows the hours and the upper part the minutes. Both parts rotate and the time is shown by one hand that is applicated on the case. Signed “tempus fugit”. The highlight of this clock is that it glows in the dark. Rare design, highly collectible.
The Royal Geographical Society This exceptional piece was created in a limited edition in 1981 and features a unique combination of brass and ebonised wood in its design. The clock features a brass globe painted black, with the continents and countries in gold. It also features a Rotating Circle dial that adds to its aesthetic appeal.
The essence, the path, the legacy
Imhof took the beauty of traditional Métiers d’art and combined them with innovative precision horology. Within the walls of the Imhof workshop, a rare fusion of horological savoir-faire and mechanical precision flourished. The Manufacture took the beauty of age-old Métiers d’art and combined them with innovative horology, always pushing the boundaries of what was technologically possible. At the height of its activity, the company’s catalog counted hundreds of exclusive deluxe models that ranged from practical travel alarm clocks to ornamental gem-set table clocks incorporating secret cabinets. Imhof’s artisans crafted period-style models with enamel dials and highly complicated mechanisms including worldtimers, perpetual calendars, mystery clocks, and mechanical movements with eight-day power reserves.
Guardians of tradition
Imhof’s expertise in creating table and pendulum timekeepers made it one of the most popular clock manufacturers of its time and it was often referred to as the “Rolls-Royce of clocks”.
Table and pendulum clocks were extremely popular during the last century and indicated more than just the passage of time within their mechanisms; they were genuine guardians of tradition, witnessing the ebbs and flows of daily life and keeping families on time. Each tick of their mechanisms resonated with shared moments of joy and connection, embedding these timepieces deeply within the fabric of family life. Over the decades, Imhof created a large range of clocks in a myriad of styles and designs. From classic designs to contemporary styles, Arthur Imhof’s mission was to provide the perfect clock for each customer, whatever their personal preference or interior design style. All meticulously crafted in the Imhof workshops, each clock was designed, created, and assembled to the highest standards so that it would become an heirloom, serving generations to come.
A voyage through time
Arthur Imhof saw the rise in travel as an opportunity to produce exciting new clock designs that would allow his clients to track time across the globe.
Famous Imhof creations include the Tower of Berne clock – or Zytglogge as it is referred to in German – which was inspired by the famous medieval clock tower in Switzerland’s capital city of Bern. This Imhof table clock was so successful that it was later reissued to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Equally remarkable is the four-sided Imhof clock that resides in the office of Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome. This gilt desk clock has four faces that feature the time, a thermometer, a hygrometer, and a barometer. Arthur Imhof’s talent also extended far beyond these majestic timekeepers as he also created desk and table clocks for people to use when traveling, many of which were inspired by his trips around the world. Today, of course, Imhof watches carry this spirit of exploration and can travel anywhere on the wrists of their new owners.
A passion for precision Today, rare and sublime pieces created by Imhof are owned by discerning collectors. Respected for its mastery of watchmaking and its magnificent handcrafted cases in precious metals, the Imhof family was also renowned for creating its own dials, using various enameling and miniature painting techniques, which were true works of art.» Within the Imhof Manufacture, artisans of various decorative arts skills collaborated on each clock, weaving together inspirations from epochs like the Renaissance (XIV), Baroque, Louis XV, and Empire periods. Their catalog of designs overflowed with evocative names like Les Dimensionnelles and Les Astrales, echoing the grandeur of history. For collectors, the attraction of an Imhof creation continues, offering a glimpse into a world where time was not just measured but celebrated.
The launch of the Arthur
A glimmer of hope ignited as renewed interest in Imhof’s timeless creations breathed new life into the brand’s story. The revival began with the launch of the Arthur collection, a tribute to the visionary spirit of the company’s founder. Every step of the journey was infused with emotion, as the new Imhof team delved deep into the brand’s history, forging connections with the past while charting a course for the future. Together, they embarked on a quest to preserve Imhof’s heritage, blending tradition with innovation to craft timepieces worthy of carrying the Imhof legacy into the dawn of a new era.