178 - Paul Stübner - Precision Pendulum Clock

Paul Stübner - Precision Pendulum Clock An astronomical Glashütte precision seconds pendulum clock with a Riefler K-pendulum, delivered to Stübner on January 5, 1919, according to the Riefler catalog of works Movm. No. 265, Dimensions 1490 mm, circa 1920, Origin: Germany, Extract from the archives Case: Mahogany. Dial: Silvered. Movement: Rectangular brass movement, weight-driven, Graham escapement with adjustable steel pallets set with sapphires, pendulum spring suspension, lateral impulse, invar steel pendulum “type K,” no. 2217, DRP no. 100870 Paul Stübner was born in Glashütte in 1860. One of his four brothers was Fridolin Stübner, who also became a prominent Glashütte watchmaker. Paul Stübner, later known as “Mädchen-Stübner” (Girl Stübner) because of his seven daughters, worked for Strasser & Rohde for 25 years before starting his own business in 1905—presumably in response to the Imperial Navy’s efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers for marine chronometers. From 1905 onward, Stübner produced precision pendulum clocks, initially in three quality grades, later reduced to two. Most of his clocks were equipped with Riefler pendulums; it was only later, around 1920, that he also began using pendulums from Strasser & Rohde. The movements and cases are always of the highest quality—as is the case with this particular clock. He ran the business very successfully until the 1930s, before largely retiring. A fire in his house in 1946 led to smoke inhalation, from which he died a few days later. Case: very good, scratched. Dial: very good, slightly oxidized. Movement: very good, needs restoration.