Kieninger Clocks

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Kieninger Clocks

Founding and Early Years (1912-1921)

Kieninger was founded in 1912 by Joseph Kieninger in the Black Forest region of Germany, an area famous for its deep-rooted tradition in horology.

Joseph Kieninger began his career in the early 1900s when he apprenticed with a clockmaker. By 1913, his innovative style, attention to detail, and reliability of the products he created was fueling the growth of a company that was producing drives and timers for gas lamps.

Joseph Kieninger was from the beginning very focused on producing mechanisms of the highest quality and in fact before any mechanism left the factory Joseph personally inspected it himself. The reliability and quality of the products led to an increase in demand for Kieninger clocks and by January 1913, the company employed 18 workers.

Expansion and New Factory (1917-1930)

Very quickly the premises in Mönchweiler became too small and the search was on to find the right location which would allow the company to expand. In 1917 Joseph Kieninger discovered a site in the "Saarstraße" which would allow them to expand as the need arose.

In 1921, Kieninger moved his production to a factory near the Black Forest and started producing the clocks for which his name would become famous. Many clock technologies can be traced back to his inventions and refinements of clocks from this time.

It was in 1921 that the new factory went into production and the business continued to grow with the need to add another building in 1927.

The H-Series Innovation (1930)

Joseph's sons (Fritz, Josef & Wilhelm) were working alongside him in the company and in 1930 thanks to Wilhelm Kieninger, the company developed the H-series mechanism which although has been refined and had additional features added, is still similar to the original design today.

Family Succession and WWII Era (1936-1948)

In 1936 Joseph Kieninger died and the running of the company fell to the three sons and despite the difficult conditions created by the war the company continued to produce clocks of high quality and by 1939 was employing 78 people. Throughout the war period Kieninger continued to sell clocks to customers in both Germany and Northern Europe.

The company's ownership passed to Kieninger's son and brothers following his death, and the brand continued to make great strides. Progressively, women made up some of the 70+ employees in the late 30s, and by the early 1940s, the company's products were being shipped abroad.

Post-War Recovery

After the war there was a shortage of materials for a few years, however, by 1948 the economic situation had started to improve. Germany was building lots of new properties and thus the need for furniture and more importantly clocks increased.

Growth and International Expansion (1948-1974)

Furthermore the clocks which Kieninger produced were being exported to over 50 countries and as a result by 1960 the company was employing over 150 workers. The range of clocks produced was vast from traditional to modern designs including the first battery operated movement.

Difficult times were ahead however and although 1974 was a great year for the company which now employed 200 people, in 1975 things started to change as the German economy dramatically contracted along with the world economy.

The Quartz Crisis and Adaptation (1975-1988)

Kieninger had to reduce the precision instrument making side of the business and decided to focus on the production of clocks. In the 1970's quartz clocks were being produced on a large scale and as a result many of the German clock companies shifted to producing quartz clocks. However, as cheap quartz movements were being produced in the Far East many of these companies were forced to close.

Strategic Survival

Kieninger managed to survive the difficult times with the production of electronic precision measuring instruments for the company Feinprüf in Göttingen in 1976 and through developing new high quality movements such as the HT-caliber chain movement with Westminster chime on tubular gongs.

New Facilities and Ownership Change (1988-1993)

As production of clocks continued over the next 10 years in 1988 Kieninger clocks moved to a new purpose built factory in Aldingen, however the cost of doing this led to Kieninger being taken over by Mahr in 1991 who were a measurement device company that Kieninger had been working with for over 60 years.

Since 1917, the company has been located in Aldingen, a charming community between the Black Forest and the Swabian Alb. Here, in a new building constructed in 1991, the company now employs around 50 dedicated and highly qualified specialists on 6,000 square metres.

Howard Miller Acquisition (1993)

In 1993, the Howard Miller Group, a leading American clock manufacturer based in Zeeland, Michigan, acquired Kieninger, allowing it to expand globally while preserving its German traditions. Howard Miller, founded in 1926, values quality and craftsmanship, making Kieninger a perfect addition to its portfolio.

This change of ownership meant that once again Kieninger were able to return to focusing on producing high quality clocks and in the preceding years have developed new and exciting movements.

Centennial Celebration (2012)

In 2012, two special models were created to commemorate the company's 100th anniversary: a 30-day precision second pendulum regulator and a second indication tourbillon mantel clock.

Modern Era and Current Operations

A motto that has been valid for Kieninger for 111 years now. This makes Kieninger the oldest existing German manufacturer of large mechanical watches.

Today, Kieninger continues to manufacture its movements in Germany, combining traditional techniques with modern technology. They offer a range of mechanical, quartz, and grandfather clock movements.

Kieninger is still in business and continues to produce high-quality clock movements. Since becoming part of the Howard Miller Group in 1993, Kieninger has expanded its global reach while maintaining its renowned quality and craftsmanship.

Current Product Range

Today, Kieninger offers a wide range of clock movements, including traditional weight-driven mechanical movements with precise chime options, accurate quartz movements, and specialized floor clock movements for grandfather clocks. Combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, Kieninger ensures every movement meets the highest standards through rigorous testing.

Philosophy and Quality Standards

From the very beginning, Kieninger focused on the highest quality, a feature that characterizes the philosophy of the entire company history. Over the past 111 years, Kieninger has always been technically and stylistically influential for the large mechanical clock.

In order for the filigree parts in a movement to interlock precisely, reliably and harmoniously, absolute precision is required at every stage of production. To achieve this level of perfection, we rely on experience as well as on the highest quality of our materials.

What makes a Kieninger clock so special is its timeless yet modern sensibility. A Kieninger brims with technology that has always been ahead of its time, yet holds fast to the drivers and gears that have been designed to last a lifetime. Each product that bears the Kieninger name looks right at home in a stately manor house, or the most contemporary of dwellings. They are timeless works of art that can be passed down as heirlooms.

Note: Kieninger vs. Kieninger & Obergfell (Kundo)

It's important to note that Kieninger (founded 1912) is a separate company from Kieninger & Obergfell (Kundo), which was founded in 1899 in St. Georgen by Joseph Kieninger and Thomas Obergfell—a different Joseph Kieninger or possibly the same person in a different partnership. Kundo became famous for anniversary clocks and eventually faded from production, while the Kieninger discussed in this history (founded 1912) continues to operate today under Howard Miller ownership.

Legacy

The result is that today Kieninger are a strong company producing many different high quality precision clocks with both traditional and contemporary designed cases.

Kieninger's story is one of consistent quality, family dedication, strategic adaptation during economic challenges, and successful preservation of German clockmaking traditions under American ownership. With over 110 years of operation, they remain one of the premier manufacturers of mechanical clock movements in the world.