Schlenker-Kienzle
In 1883 Jakob Kienzle married into the Schlenker family contributed to the expansion of the company. In 1899, 162,000 alarm clocks were made per year. The company name was changed to Schlenker & Kienzle.
From 1894 the weight and cost of alarm clocks and wall clocks was significantly reduced by the introduction of the “American System”, with standardized individual components and perforated plates. This process was highly innovative at the time.
In 1897, Jakob Kienzle became the sole owner, and the name of the company was later changed to Kienzle. The production system was continuously expanded and modernized, as well as the international activities expanded. In the following years, branches were established in Milan, Paris and London.
In 1902 Kienzle launched the time stamp watch on the market, followed by cheap pocket watches, which watches and wristwatches for women. The first automobile clocks were also made at that time. The so-called “Strapazieren-Armbanduhr” was introduced in 1931. This watch is extremely durable due to its special construction. The watch model becomes a popular product, with 25 million examples sold.
In the late 1930s, Kienzle began manufacturing two table clocks in the upper price segment: the Zodiac Clock and the World Clock Time.
After the Second World War KIENZLE continued the production of established items and new products, such as a parking meter equipped with the latest technology. In 1956 the so-called “Volksautomatik” was introduced to the market. Power is provided by a bi-directional rotor and instead of steel pins the lever is equipped with ruby needles.
In the 1960s and 1970s Kienzle became the market leader in Germany. In 1972 the first solar clock, the Heliomat, was produced, as well as the first quartz movements. In the following years, Kienzle was the first company to introduce a travel alarm clock with a quartz movement.
In 1986 Kienzle developed the first solar clock with light condition and a polycrystalline solar element. In the early 1990s, Kienzle developed the most water-resistant watch in the world that was resistant to 12,000 meters. They also developed the world’s first “atomic” radio-controlled alarm clock with an analog alarm setting.
In 1996 a new radio-controlled movement was perfected: the smallest twin-motor radio-controlled movement with the fastest setting system. This move corrects itself at the right time within just five minutes.
Present
In 1997 Kienzle is taken over by Holdings Group Highway. But only five years later, in 2002, Kienzle returned to Germany with the establishment of Kienzle AG. The company has more than 400 workers in its new factory. From that moment the headquarters is located in Hamburg and Kienzle finds its old success back. The company acquires the worldwide brand and distribution rights and begins the development and manufacture of three new watch collections in different price segments.
In 2008, Kienzle moved to its current headquarters, which perfectly represents the company and its values: Quality, tradition and innovation
In the future Kienzle is expanding to a mid-sized lifestyle brand. Kienzle Optik is the first expansion segment to be launched on the market. However, watchmaking will remain in the central area of the brand.
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