Preliminary identification

Kieninger & Obergfell Kundo Anniversary Clock

Photo reference

1 uploaded photo

Overview

This is a classic mid-century German torsion pendulum clock, commonly known as an anniversary clock, protected by a tall glass dome. It features a brass-finished frame, a dark-colored dial with stylized golden Arabic numerals, and a rotating four-ball pendulum designed to run for a full year on a single winding.

Story

In 19th-century Germany, clockmakers mastered the torsion pendulum, creating clocks that only needed winding once a year. Often given as wedding gifts, they were wound on each anniversary to symbolize a lifetime of enduring love.

Maker / Origin

Founded in 1918 in the heart of Germany's Black Forest, Kieninger & Obergfell (later known as Kundo) became world-renowned for their precision engineering and elegant domestic timepieces. They pioneered the post-war boom of anniversary clocks, exporting thousands of these mesmerizing mechanical wonders to homes across the globe.

Condition & Value

The brass base and pillars show moderate surface oxidation and patina consistent with age. The glass dome appears intact without major cracks, but the clock is untested and may require a replacement suspension wire or professional leveling to run. Value is driven by mechanical condition and completeness.

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.