Becker / Küffner - Uhren

Becker, Karl-Ernst / Küffner, Hatto: Clocks
Battenberg Antiques Catalogues
ISBN 3-89441-269-0

This book is a practice-orientated, richly illustrated overview of the history, technology and collecting practice of antique clocks from the 16th to the early 20th century. It combines a well-founded introduction to clock technology and history with an extensive catalogue section in which over 300 exhibits are systematically presented.

The introductory section includes:

A historical outline from antiquity to the 19th century, with a special focus on technical milestones (e.g. Huygens, Breguet)
Explanations of watchmaking schools, movement moulds, developments such as escapement, pendulum technology and case shapes
Advice on collecting: purchase, storage, care, literature and museums
A "small specialised lexicon for watch collectors" with brief explanations of terms

The catalogue section shows the wide variety of historical clock types:

Sun, elementary and wheel clocks
Table clocks, longcase clocks and floor clocks from the 17th to the 19th century
Chart clocks, lantern clocks, pendulums, Comtoise and skeleton clocks
Ship, travelling and pocket clocks
Black Forest clocks, regulators, ball clocks and much more.