Wilhelm Gerland Uhrenfabrik

Company Overview

Wilhelm Gerland Uhrenfabrik (Clock Factory) was a German clock manufacturer based in Triberg, a town in the Black Forest region renowned for its long-standing clockmaking tradition. The company was founded in 1903 and remained active until 1953, as documented in the Mikrolisk horological trademark database2. Operating during a time when Black Forest clocks were gaining international popularity, Wilhelm Gerland’s firm was part of the export-oriented clock industry that supplied finely crafted timepieces to global markets.

Products

  • Spring-driven cuckoo clocks
  • Weight-driven cuckoo clocks (8-day and 1-day types)
  • Cuckoo and quail clocks
  • Clocks with music and/or trumpets
  • Westminster chime clocks with multiple gongs
  • Accessories such as barometers

Additional Notes

  • The company operated as both a manufacturer and exporter. The use of “Uhrenfabrik” implies in-house production rather than simple distribution, but according to at least one source1, there is some question as to whether the company manufactured any of their own clocks, or only functioned as an exporter for clocks source locally from other manufacturers.
  • Company literature was printed in multiple languages—German, French, English, and Spanish—indicating a focus on international trade.

Sources

  1. NAWCC, “Clockmaker Wilhelm Gerland,” md.nawcc.org, accessed May 5, 2025. https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/clockmaker-wilhelm-gerland.135973/
  2. Mikrolisk, “Wilhelm Gerland watch factory,” mikrolisk.de, accessed May 5, 2025. https://www.mikrolisk.de/show.php?site=280