Handcrafted Timepiece Produced by Blackforest Clock Company

Handcrafted Timepiece Produced by Blackforest Clock Company

In the world of antiques, every find is a thrilling adventure. Recently, I acquired a Blackforest shelf clock, a small but significant piece of Canadian clock history.

The Blackforest Clock Company, founded in 1928 in Toronto, Ontario by Austrian immigrants Leopold and Sara Stossel, was a significant player in the Canadian clock industry. Initially, the company imported clock movements and complete clocks from Germany, but they also assembled clocks domestically.

It's believed that the Walter Clock Company of Kitchener, Ontario may have supplied some early clock cases for the Blackforest Clock Company. While definitive documentation is limited, Canadian clock historians and collectors consider it quite possible that Walter Clock Co. made some of the early clock cases used by Blackforest.

My Blackforest clock, a time-and-strike (rack and snail) mantel clock, likely dates back to the mid-1930s. The clock, unfortunately, needs restoration. The case requires a caring touch, and the glass dial bezel is missing. Despite this, I'm excited to bring it back to life after a thorough cleaning.

The Blackforest Clock Company's production extended from the late 1920s, and during this period, they sourced their movements from Germany. However, during World War II, they switched to movements from England, the United States, and France. Postwar clocks from Forestville, supplied by Friedrich Mauthe, are known for their quality and reliability.

Interestingly, there is another article titled "Forestville mantel clock" that discusses the Forestville Clock Company, which could be a rebranded version of the Blackforest Clock Company. This rebranding occurred in 1941 due to the outbreak of the Second World War.

Unfortunately, the Blackforest Clock Company did not survive much beyond the late 1970s, succumbing to the rise of inexpensive quartz movements and changing consumer preferences. However, their clocks, like the one I've acquired, continue to be cherished by collectors and historians alike.

This small, intricate timepiece is a testament to the craftsmanship and history of the Blackforest Clock Company, a Canadian company that played a significant role in the antique clock world.

[1] Source: Canadian Clock and Watch Museum, Kitchener, Ontario.

1. The vintage clocks from the Blackforest Clock Company, a significant player in Canada's antiquated clock industry, often serve as a thrilling adventure for collectors.
2. The history of the Blackforest Clock Company roots back to 1928, when it was established by Austrian immigrants, Leopold and Sara Stossel, in Toronto, Ontario.
3. Known for their meticulous craftsmanship, the Blackforest Clock Company produced various styles such as mantel clocks, which are valued additions to many modern lifestyles and vintage home settings.
4. The traveler or vintage home enthusiast might enjoy exploring the world's antique marketplaces to track down a Blackforest clock, as their clocks continue to be sought after within the fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden communities.

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