Barometers Realm

Foundation and Early Years

The Swiss watchmaking company Arthur Imhof S.A. — the Rolls-Royce of bureau clocks — was founded by Arthur Imhof in 1924 in the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Its full name was Manufacture de pendulettes et réveils d’Art Arthur Imhof S.A., which reflected its specialization in the production of small decorative clocks and alarm clocks. Arthur Imhof inherited a love for horology from his father, Frédéric Imhof, who had been involved in the artistic decoration of dials for major watchmakers since 1888. This experience allowed Arthur to follow an independent path: he established his own manufacture, producing pendulettes d’art (artistic small clocks) and integrating the production of movements in-house. By the end of the 1920s, the company was actively exporting its products worldwide — from the Americas to Asia.

In 1939, Imhof launched a new brand name: Helveco, inspired by the Latin name for Switzerland (Helvetia). The Helveco brand allowed the company to enter the wristwatch and accessories markets, becoming a sort of “junior” brand within the Imhof house. These moves marked the company’s early period of growth and international recognition.

Product Development

Imhof’s core product line consisted of high-quality desk and mantel clocks, along with portable travel alarm clocks. The firm specialized in creating elegant pendulettes — small clocks with 8-day power reserves, often powered by Swiss 15-jewel mechanical movements. At its peak, the company’s catalog included hundreds of models, from practical travel alarms to decorative clocks embellished with gemstones or secret compartments.

Many Imhof clocks combined timekeeping with meteorological functions. For example, the company produced “weather stations” – desktop instruments combining a clock with a barometer, thermometer, and hygrometer. One well-known example was a four-faced Imhof clock located in the Pope’s office, displaying time, temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure on its sides. These multifunctional devices, often sold through prestigious retailers such as Türler or Bucherer, held a prominent place in Imhof’s mid-century product line. However, clocks remained the company’s flagship product: miniature mechanical masterpieces for the home, office, or travel.

Design and Technical Innovations

Throughout its decades of operation, Imhof became renowned for innovative design and technical excellence. The manufacture masterfully blended traditional métiers d’art (enameling, miniature painting, inlay) with cutting-edge horological engineering. Some iconic models became legendary among collectors, such as:

— “Singing Bird in a Cage” – a mid-20th-century table clock designed as a gilded birdcage, hiding a mechanical automaton inside. When activated, the tiny bird sang and flapped its wings in a delicate display.

— “Inclined Plane Clock” – a technical marvel that rolled slowly down an inclined rail over the course of a week. After reaching the bottom, the user would place the clock back at the top for a new cycle. The movement was gravity-powered and regulated by a platform escapement.

— “Tempus Fugit” – a rare spherical clock from the 1960s: a globe-like timepiece displayed hours and minutes with a single hand pointing to rotating halves of the sphere. This model, made in limited quantities, glowed in the dark and doubled as a lamp.

Imhof also experimented with “mystery clocks” (with hidden drive systems), complex calendar movements, and world-time indications. Nearly all Imhof creations used high-quality mechanical calibers with long power reserves (typically 8 days) and reliable precision. Attention to detail in casework and dials, along with a spirit of innovation, made these clocks not just instruments, but decorative objects. The creative synergy of form and function became Imhof’s signature style.

Reputation and Market Position

Throughout the mid-20th century, Arthur Imhof S.A. earned a reputation as one of the leading manufacturers in its segment. For its impeccable craftsmanship and movement quality, the firm was often dubbed the “Rolls-Royce of Clocks”. In that era, desk clocks were important elements of interior decor and social status, and Imhof positioned itself as a premium supplier of elegant home and office timepieces.

The company’s clientele consisted of lovers of classic timepieces, collectors, and business professionals who sought distinguished gifts or accessories for their offices. Interestingly, Arthur Imhof also sought to “democratize” access to high-quality clocks by offering simpler, more affordable models while maintaining high standards. Thus, the company served two market tiers: the luxury segment, with lavish, jeweled clocks and artistic masterpieces, and the premium segment, offering practical but refined clocks and travel alarms for the middle class.

In all cases, the Imhof name was associated with tradition, taste, and reliability. Many of its pieces became heirlooms passed down through generations.

Collaborations with Iconic Brands

Imhof’s strong reputation was further reflected in its partnerships with other legendary names. Arthur Imhof S.A. offered OEM production services and created private-label clocks for several prestigious companies. Its collaborators included Bucherer, Cartier, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co., Chopard, Longines, Concord, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Girard-Perregaux. These firms often commissioned Imhof to manufacture exclusive desk clocks and travel alarms, frequently with dual branding.

For instance, some 1960s Imhof models featured both the Imhof and Bucherer logos on the dial, sold through Bucherer’s retail network. The Helveco name was also used as a sub-brand to promote 8-day alarm clocks for export, particularly to the UK in the 1950s.

Thanks to these collaborations, Imhof’s craftsmanship reached wider audiences. Jewelry house customers and watch collectors were introduced to Swiss timekeeping quality through Imhof’s engineering — even if rebranded. These collaborations strengthened the company’s market position and demonstrated trust from industry peers.

Decline and Brand Revival

By the late 20th century, the watch industry underwent massive changes, and demand for traditional mechanical desk clocks dwindled. The “Quartz Crisis” of the 1970s hit classical timepiece makers hard, forcing many to close or reinvent themselves. Arthur Imhof S.A. managed to survive longer than many, but by 2000, its operations were in serious decline. Production in La Chaux-de-Fonds ceased, and the company effectively shut down in 2001, laying off its remaining employees.

For decades, the name Imhof lived on only in the collector world and vintage clock markets.

More than twenty years later came the revival of the Imhof brand. In 2023, a group of investors and horology enthusiasts sought to resurrect the legacy of Arthur Imhof. The new team studied archives and surviving models to understand the brand’s traditional values. In 2024, the debut collection of Imhof Arthur wristwatches was introduced – named in honor of the founder and celebrating his innovative spirit.

These modern wristwatches represent a shift from the brand’s legacy in clocks to contemporary luxury sports watches, blending heritage with modern precision. For instance, the Arthur collection features 41mm stainless steel cases, automatic Swiss movements with ~40-hour power reserves, and clean, elegant design.

With this brand revival, Imhof has transformed “from the king of desk clocks to a new Swiss wristwatch brand” — aiming at a discerning, modern clientele. Yet the founding values of craftsmanship, taste, and innovation remain at the heart of the brand’s vision, reconnecting its storied past with a bold new chapter.