the first watch Nuremberg egg

[FredWJensen]

I am trying to find information on the movement and mechanics of the world's first watch, the nuremberg egg invented by Peter Henlein in 1524.

[Jerry Matthews]

Originally Posted by FredWJensen

I am trying to find information on the movement and mechanics of the world's first watch, the nuremberg egg invented by Peter Henlein in 1524.

There is an illustration and a very brief description of the Peter Henlein watch on page 43 of Britten's Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers (9th edition).

Jerry

[Kent]

The following if from “The Pocket Watch Handbook,” M. Cutmore, Arco Publishing, New York, NY, 1985, pp. 8-9:

The significant event that led to the earliest watches was the development spring power, which provided a convenient, portable power source. Although the earliest surviving spring-driven clock dates to 1525, evidence exists that shows they existed as early as 1455. As spring-driven clocks were developed and reduced in size, the watch “- which might be defined as a spring-driven timepiece (or clock) small enough to be carried unobtrusively on the person - came into being, … Some documents suggest watches were made in Nuremburg by Peter Hele or Henlein in the period 1500 to 1510. Others suggest that they originated in Italy, Flanders, or Burgundy.”

[Jerry Matthews]

Britten also offers an explanation as to why the watch is called "egg". It has nothing to do with it being egg-shaped. Britten says is is probably because of confusion of the German word "Ueurlein" meaning little clock with "Eyerlein" meaning little egg. Spoken in English, the two words would sound very similar.

[FredWJensen]

I appreciate your comments but I am surprised that there are no details available about the movement on the web. I guess I will have to check with NAWCC research perhaps in old publications. The mechanism of the thing seems more mysterious than the Lost Ark! One site refered to it as a mucket ball watch, I guess because of its shape. Another state that it was entirly composed of iron. It must have been a verge escapement but probably without a fusee.
I will let you know what I find. But pleae, if anyone finds anything let me know.

[Tom McIntyre]

I am pretty sure that the fusee predates the stackfreed that the Germans used quite a bit. But if you are having a hard time figuring out how to cut a fusee, a stackfreed would be a good alternative.

[Don Dahlberg]

Fred would like to know about the mechanism. I believe there are no known examples of watches from this era (very early 16th century) that still exist. Am I correct? This is far from my area of expertise.

I have an old book "A History of Waches and other Timekeepers" by James Kendal published 1892. It states that "There is a portable clock by Jacob Zech, belonging to the Society of Antiquaries, which was made in 1525. The case is a circular box of brass, gilt, measuring 9 3/4 inches in diameter by 5 inches in height." They still have it. See http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/spec...fm?object=1230 It includes some great pictures of the movement.

Most of the evidence for early watches came from records of gifts, purchases and death inventories and not from the actual watches.

I believe the famous Mary Queen of Scots Skull Watch still exists. See http://www.history.rochester.edu/godeys/03-50/ammw.htm This watch is dated about 1587.

Does anyone know of other 16th century watches (spring clocks) that actually exist?

Don

[Frank Menez]

Time & Timekeepers by Willis I. Milham Page 33-

The early clock-watch of 1500 developed into the pocket watch. These oval watches are often spoken of as "Nurnberg eggs" Four of these transitional clock watches are illustrated in figs. 90 to 93.. The first three are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art NY City. etc etc etc

[jakraka]

H e r e (click) is an interesting link. Unfortunately the page is available only in German for the moment, the English translation is not yet available. Though the images (= Fotogalerie) as well as the download (a movie) are interesting. The writer is stating, that this recently 'discovered' Henlein’s ball shaped watch is original – I doubt.

Regards

Jan

[FredWJensen]

I thank everyone for helping me.
I will looking into those publications mentioned, Thanks to everyone for taking your time to assist me.

Great German site. I only wonder why this great site did not show up in my google search. Google is not as extensive as I thought.
Thanks
I really enjoyed it!
Even a movie of the watch working.
I can't believe he used a crude fusee!!!
It is fantastic. The fusee and everything looks hand made,
like it was hammered out of medieval iron, "Which is what it is"
Thanks.
Rather than a fusee chain, it looks like he used a length of cord! Fantastic!