The Kieninger Brand

The Kieninger Brand: How Joseph Kieninger Turned a Lifelong Passion into a Booming Family Business

These days, it’s easier than ever before for people to find ways to turn their passions, talents or favorite hobbies into successful careers. The Internet has become a highly viable option for those looking to become self-employed, with mere hard work and due diligence paving the way towards their occupational freedom.

However, in Joseph Kieninger’s day, starting a full-fledged company from scratch was a far riskier move - especially when the product you’re selling is viewed as more of a hobbyist trade rather than a profitable mainstay item.

But Kieninger was determined to make his passion also become his means of financial support. After all, if you don’t love your job, you aren’t living your best life.

So, after gaining ample experience, Kieninger set out to make a name for himself on his own terms.

And that name lives on as one of the greatest and longest-lasting clockmaking brands in the world. That name is Kieninger, and Joseph’s family legacy continues to thrive with some of the finest clocks on the market today.

For your convenience, we here at Expressions of Time have amassed a lovely collection of Kieninger brand mechanical clocks. Want something extra special to display in your home or office? Need a meaningful gift to give a loved one or treasured friend?

Browse through our Kieninger clocks at ClockShops.com, and see for yourself the elegance and sophistication that all of these high-quality timepieces convey. 

Making an Unbelievable Dream a Proper Reality: The Kieninger Story

Creating a successful and inspiring business can all be possible with the fruition of one great idea. However, the responsibility lies on the entrepreneur to truly bring their idea to life, putting in the hard

work, talent and intelligent business savvy required to make their exciting concept a viable option.

For Joseph Kieninger, success through innovative clockmaking would become a reality - and he stopped at nothing to achieve his goals. 

Kieninger spent his younger years involved in apprenticeships, learning the trade of clockmaking by perfecting and honing his craft under the true masters of the time period.

However, wanting to stake his own claim on the industry, Joseph Kieninger took it upon himself to start his own company in June of 1912. Little did he know the impact his dream would have on the clockmaking world at large for centuries to come.

Kieninger instilled important values into his business, including using the most exquisite materials - combined with expert design and technical precision - to create beautiful works of art. With these ideas in mind, he also set about training all of his future employees to abide by these same concepts.

For instance, all of his clock movements would be personally inspected before ever leaving his shop. The result of this was consistent, quality craftsmanship and reliable service, two factors that created a whirlwind of demand among his peers. By January 1913, just over six months after setting out on his own, Kieninger had employed up to 18 workers, all of whom were educated in his clockmaking ideals.

The prestigious work behind Kieninger’s technical drives and timers directed him to bigger and better things along his journey. He settled into perfecting his own clockmaking methods, and society eventually began to take notice as well. Once his name started gaining attention, Kieninger’s beautifully-designed clock components were the glory of both enthusiasts and wealthy patrons alike.

The Kieninger Specialty: Their Elite Clock Movements

While Joseph Kieninger did hire a staff of employees once the business began to boom, the company was most certainly a family affair. With eight children to lend a helping hand, the Kieninger clan all stepped up and joined together to keep the family brand afloat.

In 1921, the Kieninger family migrated near the Black Forest region, the hub of the clockmaking industry. Three of the older brothers - Josef, Fritz, and Wilhelm - all worked together to create a well-functioning machine of service.

However, Wilhelm’s mechanical talent led to the creation of the Kieninger masterpiece, still acting as the cornerstone in the H series of the brand to date. His high precision movement was adapted especially for use in grandfather clocks with quarter-chimes, making Kieninger the brand specialists of the field. Their elite clock movements are still produced today, and have been the backbone to a majority of the horological specialty items on the market through the years.

Though the family business was bought by the American Howard Miller brand in 1993, the Kieninger clock movements are still a mainstay for modern mechanical clockmakers. And as the brand has carried on through decades of technical expertise and dedicated service, innovations in their machinery have kept the Kieninger spirit alive in the current industry to this day.

Bring Home a Kieninger Classic: Invest in One of These Beautifully-Crafted Mechanical Clocks

Are you looking to bring home a Kieninger mechanical clock of your very own? Well ClockShops.com has a wide variety of models to choose from, perfect for any traditional or modern home.

-          Decorate Any Room with a Dazzling New Wall Clock

Need to give your home decor an upgrade with something timeless and elegant? Well look no further than the Kieninger Graham Mechanical Regulator Wall Clock. A beautiful clock made in Germany, this timepiece has an eight day power reserve, with a half hour and hour strike prepared to go off on a coiled gong.

While it’s fashioned with a black lacquer finish and chrome accents, the real stunner is the enamel dial with the open escapement on display. The crystal glass panels only emphasize all of this ticker’s features, which illuminate brilliantly in any room, on any wall.

While the last model could fit splendidly in modern decor, this next timepiece has a more traditional feel. The Kieninger Schubert Mechanical Weight-Driven Regulator Wall Clock has a classical motif, more inclined to suit an old-fashioned study or library. Its natural cherry finish and brass features play into the traditional mold, while the burled wood accents add a touch of elegant design that makes it an overall statement piece. The automatic beat adjustment is an added bonus, keeping you on schedule even as you wind it up.

This next streamlined model, the Kieninger Laterndl Mechanical Weight-Driven Regulator Wall Clock, has a structured, contemporary look perfect to stand out on its own. A tasteful piece reminiscent of the Vienna Regulator style from the 19th century, this beautiful model makes a lovely collector’s item. The sleek, French walnut finish has a sophisticated air to it, blending in nicely with other metallics and neutral tones befitting the modern decor style.

-          Give Your Fireplace a Fancy Makeover with a New Mantelpiece

Draw the attention of everyone in the room with the Kieninger Mozart Mechanical Mantel Clock.

Considering that this model was created to celebrate the 250th birthday of Wolfgang Mozart, it undoubtedly had to be spectacular; and so it is!

The front panel is designed with a brass dial and decorative filigree pattern that lights up a space, while a Moon dial across the top is etched with the cityscape of Salzburg. Furthermore, the crystal glass edges are all open to expose the inner mechanisms of this brilliant piece. Relish its exquisite stature while listening to one of its three different melodies, including two of Mozart’s finest that ring out as tiny hammers land against the interior bells. With so many amazing features, this clock is truly fascinating.

Or give yourself a piece of something that’s versatile, unable to be stuck in either the modern or traditional era of home decor. A model of fine cabinetry as much as an elegant timepiece, the Kieninger Riva Tourbillon Mechanical Mantel Clock deserves a spot in your home. Its Tourbillon escapement is visible to all, shining out from the high grade mechanism. The brushed metal accents surrounding the dial balance beautifully with the mahogany wood base, creating an overall truly fantastic clock.

Find yourself a timepiece that gives you the best of both worlds, like the Kieninger Dorian Mechanical Mantel Clock. Designed with features that emulate both a mantel clock and a regulator wall clock, you’ll hardly be able to turn it away. This mechanical clock has an automatic beat adjustment with a pendulum escapement, so you’ll never feel like you’re missing out on a preferred feature. Charming and regal, this timeless clock will look perfect resting atop your mantel.

-          Highlight An Awkward or Empty Space with a Stunning Curio Floor Clock

We’ve all come across those strange areas in our home that look too open and strange without any decoration, but have inconvenient angles with which to fit many furnishings at all.

You could always find a simple lamp or oversized vase or statue to fill in the space. However, if you’re a family with children or pets in the household, these purchases will undoubtedly prove worthless in a short amount of time (and you’ll be left to clean up the mess).

For those abstract corners of your home - say at the landing of a wide staircase, or to separate two rooms without need for a wall - why not invest in a curio floor clock that also acts as a display cabinet?

The Kieninger Mechanical Curio FloorClock, available in both a black or French walnut finish, is a great piece to spruce up any room in your home. The Kieninger mechanical clock sits atop the entire piece, on full display for all your visitors to witness. This clock’s interior mechanisms are numerous, including a three train movement ready to strike on the hour; an eight day power reserve with three chiming melodies to lull you into a relaxing state of comfortability at home; and chrome-plated accents that easily adapt into any modern or contemporary home.

While the clock itself is a beauty to behold, don’t forget you have an entire cabinet below for arranging your favorite trinkets and figurines! Put all your favorite prized possessions on the pedestal they deserve, giving you a sense of pride every time you wander by the case. Featuring three separate shelving areas for ample storage space, as well as LED lights to accentuate your treasures, this curio case will be the centerpiece of whatever room you choose to place it in.

So feel free to arrange your trophies and medals in your office or study space. Set up your most favored china patterns or artistic vases in your living/sitting room. The elegant, vertical shape of this Kieninger model gives you plenty of options for filling in those empty spaces in a fashionable way.

The Kieninger Brand Stands For Expertise, in Clockmaking and in Business

The Kieninger family has remained one of the longest-lasting family businesses, and for good reason.

Their dedicated service has led to a world-renowned reputation, while their exquisite timepieces illustrate the family talent in the horological field.

From its small beginnings under the tutelage of Joseph Kieninger, fresh out of his apprenticeship, to a revolutionary company that’s withstood decades of hardship and constant effort; Kieninger has become a lasting household name that continues to thrive and support the innovations of clockmakers everywhere.

Don’t miss out on owning a Kieninger piece for yourself. While mechanical clocks may have fallen by the wayside in the wake of our digital age, there’s no denying the beauty and sophistication of having a Kieninger model on display in your home.

Hang one in your foyer or living room, inviting everyone to witness its grandeur. Place a smaller clock on your shelves or mantel, and let the celebrated Kieninger movement endlessly tick away.

Every family deserves a Kieninger mechanical clock in their home. After all, they not only emphasize the importance of values like hard work and determination, but they withhold the spirit of true family bonding and loyalty to one’s name.

So browse through ClockShops.com, and find a Kieninger piece worthy of representing your family today. You won’t be able to choose just one.