Synthetic material, opal, blackened metal
Austria, circa 1950
Manufactured by Emil Schauer, Vienna – Austrian watchmaker
With maker's mark ‘SCHAUER’
Red inscription ‘NORMALZEIT’, below the Vienna city coat of arms
Diameter: 91 cm
Very good condition
Original collectible steeped in history
Lit .: Lichterloh (eds.), Normalzeit. Ein österreichisches Kunstprojekt rund um das Wiener Wahrzeichen Würfeluhr, Vienna 2011, pp. 122-149

This dial is from a so-called Wiener Würfeluhr (Vienna cube-shaped clock). The first of its type was installed in 1907 at the intersection Opernring/Kärntnerstraße. The primary function of these clocks was the precise time indication, which had to be legible to passers-by from all directions. This explains the absence of Roman or Arabic numerals. Instead there are dots or lines indicating the minutes, which guarantee a clearer indication of time and good readability. The clocks were produced by the company ‘Ing. Emil Schauer’, which was considered a pioneer in the field of electrically operated clocks. Soon the entire city of Vienna was characterized by these innovative clocks. Especially since CET was introduced in Vienna on May 1, 1910 – before Austrian clocks were based on Prague time, differing by a few minutes – there was suddenly large demand for clocks that indicated the ‘Normalzeit’ (standard time). Thus the Würfeluhr became an icon of modernity and remains a landmark of the city of Vienna.

Literature: Lichterloh (eds.), Normalzeit. Ein österreichisches Kunstprojekt rund um das Wiener Wahrzeichen Würfeluhr, Vienna 2011, pp. 122-149

The dial bears the maker's mark ‘SCHAUER’. It is in very good condition with only minor signs of age and wear. The diameter measures 91 cm. (tfa)

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