Case: cast iron, black lacquered, glazed movement, spring suspensioned
Dial: brushed metal, black inscriptions and indexes
Movement: solid circular full plate movemnt (d 175 mm), electrical contact device, balance stop device, large gold screw compensation balance with ruby jewels
This is a fascinating object dating from the last century, described by Konrad Knirim as: "A huge time piece that is used for the morse code transmitter produced by the company Telefunken for radio telegraphy (Telefunken Ges, fur drahtlose Telegraphie m.b.H), which is used by the air force communication troops. The timer allows the activation of the morse code transmitter MZG2 at fixed times every hour. The timer is fitted with special contacts which open and close gear cams, thus switching the motor of the MZG2 on and off." The frame with springs holds the timer case, the front cover has a setting pin for adjustment, underneath the screw in the base sits a triangular socket for opening the case and operating the control elements: "Ablaufen" (running) sets the clock, "Stop" stops the balance, which is then restarted with "Start". The large barrel provides an 8-day power reserve. A modified index spring is used for fine adjusting and a remontoir operates the hands every 15 seconds. The winding key is the part of this offer. A similar watch is illustrated and described in "Militaruhren" (military timepieces) by Konrad Knirim, p. 390f.
This particular timer, serial number 448, was used during the German occupation between 1938 and 1945 in the territory of the former Czechoslovakia at Prague - Ruzyně Airport (Václav Havel Airport). The device was still used by Czechoslovak Airlines for several years after the war. The timer has been preserved in a unique working condition only because it was displayed in the office of the Director of Air Traffic Control for more than 50 years.
The timer is also rare for the reason that no more than 1,000 of them were produced in Germany and subsequently only about 2,000 were produced in unlicensed production after the war in the Soviet Union. This timer is of rarer original German production.
The timer works like a normal desk clock, so it can be used as a novel, functional decoration. Ideal for a functionalist interior.
A similar specimen of this clock is also exhibited in the National Technical Museum in Prague.
PINTSCH COMPANY HISTORY:
The company PINTSCH in Berlin was established in 1843 by Julius Carl Friedrich Pintsch (1815 - 1884), a master plumber who worked from a basement room, the business eventually developed into a large company with longstanding tradition, which was known for the development of gas lighting for streets, buildings and railway compartments. Pintsch also produced measuring devices, underwater mines, buoys and even aircrafts. Today their successor Pintsch Aben is one of the leading makers of railway point heaters and security systems in marytime logistics.REFERENCE WEB PAGES:
https://watch-wiki.org/index.php?title=Julius_Pintsch,_Berlin
http://www.knirim.de/a0601mod.htm
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/a-very-wonderful-clock-from-the-other-confiscated-german-factory.589601/
http://www.knirim.de/rlmbhi.pdf
http://www.vrtulnik.cz/ww2/protektorat-ruzyne.htm