Watch Description:-

Richard Kunzler Hack Watch No.342205

Maker:

Model: Hack Watch

Date:-  1912

Case diameter ex crown: 52mm

Case material: Silver

Case number: 357 M

Case date stamp: 1912

Case maker mark :  R&S  (Rotheram & Sons Coventry)

Movement markings:  R.Kunzler. BIRMINGHAM 342205

Movement type:  crown wind and set, gilt, 3/4 plate movement with lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, gold timing screws and blue flat balance spring 

Richard Kunzler was a very interesting character who was employed at the Royal Observatory for many years.

Here are some words regarding his history which I found on the Royal Observatory web-site :-

During the 1914–18 war the “Admiralty” was most anxious to purchase as many chronometer watches as possible provided they were capable of passing the acceptance test.

Robert Kunzler one of the best suppliers was a native of Switzerland, born near Le-Locle about 1870. He was a student at the Le Locle Technicum and after becoming a journeyman travelled in Germany before arriving in England about 1900.

He worked for a time at the Erhardt factory in Coventry but it soon became apparent to him that no one in England understood or was very competent in the art of Springing and Adjusting. He decided to return to Switzerland for a special course in high precision watch adjusting at Le-Locle. After completing the course he returned to Birmingham, England, and was employed at the Waltham Watch Co., in Great Hampton Street.

He later decided to go into business on his own as a Watch Springer and Adjuster, he would do this work for other makers. He was a close associate of J. W. Player and Forrester two famous makers at the time. Forrester was also Swiss.

Kunzler was soon submitting watches in his own name to the “Observatory” and by 1912 he was having his own movements made by Pybus at Prescott. These were mainly of the famous 3/4 plate type with centre­-seconds suitable for the Admiralty Chronometer Watch. He had of course the best of Coventry and Birmingham workmen to assist in making his watches. The escapements were made by Smith, jewelling by Collingbourne, and the finishing was done by White. Kunzler completed the watches by doing his own springing, adjusting, and rating to high standards.

During the 1914–18 war he was most industrious completing watches in record time and delivering them to Greenwich. After the war the Admiralty had little demand for navigation watches but Kunzler was always well employed servicing his own watches which were always satisfactory.