Exactly 100 years ago, on 17 October 1925, the Astronomical Art Clock of the German Watch Museum Glashütte was completed by its builder Hermann Goertz. With its monumental appearance and numerous displays, the .Art Clock is undoubtedly one of the highlights of any visit to the museum. And for the Watch Museum, the anniversary was of course a reason to celebrate. On the anniversary day, the museum could be visited all day at a reduced admission price and the museum staff were on hand to explain and answer questions about the Art Clock.
In the late afternoon, master watchmaker Jürgen Franke and Matthias Villing gave an exciting lecture for invited guests on the Art Clock, its special features and the recent overhaul. These topics are also the subject of our new book about the Art Clock entitled “A Piece of Eternity”, which was presented at the event and is now available in the Watch Museum and in the museum’s online shop (only on German website).
The event reached its festive climax with the cutting of the birthday cake. This was followed by a visit to the current special exhibition “LEAP IN TIME”, which is dedicated to the creation of the Astronomical Art Clock. Hermann Goertz, the creator of the Art Clock, was also honoured – with a greeting at his memorial stone in the Glashütte cemetery.
Some impressions of the anniversary day (photos: Holm Helis)
Matthias Villing, Birthe Preuß and Jürgen Franke at the presentation of the new book “A Piece of Eternity”
Lecture on the Astronomical Art Clock
Birthday cake
Cutting of the birthday cake by museum director Dr Ulf Molzahn
Time for dialogue …
… and for delicious clock biscuits
The current special exhibition was open to the invited guests.
The Astronomical Art Clock shows 17 October 2025.
Flower greeting for Hermann Goertz at the Glashütte cemetery (photo: Watch Museum)
