Hans Conrad, Deutsche Uhrmacherschule Glashütte

Dr. H. Crott Auktionen, Aachen, 5 December 1992, lot 170

Kurt Herkner, Glashütte und seine Uhren, Dormagen: 2^nd Ed., 1978, p. 409.

Reinhard Meis and Christian Pfeiffer-Belli, A. Lange & Söhne, Great Timepieces from Saxony, Vols. 1 & 2, Antique Collectors’ Club 2012, p. 267, fig. 748o.

Reinhard Meis, Das Tourbillon, Munich: Laterna Magica, 1986, p. 359.

In his monograph Das Tourbillon, Reinhard Meis lists 28 tourbillons known to have been made within the Deutsche Uhrmacherschule (German Watchmaking School) in Glashütte (DUS). Of these, the majority were made after 1920 while the legendary Alfred Helwig was teaching at the DUS. Helwig had a particular passion for the tourbillon watch and encouraged his most gifted pupils to create a tourbillon as part of their training. A superb example of Helwig’s style of flying tourbillon with spring detent escapement, the movement of this watch has superior finishing and is proudly signed by Helwig’s pupil, Hans Conrad. The watch has a wonderful monochromatic aesthetic with unusual blued steel hour indexes, and bold index-form hands. Without text or numerals, the utilitarian precision of the dial’s calibrations dominate the design.

Alfred Helwig (1886–1974) is a legendary figure in the Glashütte watchmaking tradition. He is best known for his invention of the flying tourbillon in 1920, a significant advancement in horological engineering. Unlike the traditional tourbillon, which required a bridge on both sides, Helwig’s innovation allowed the mechanism to be supported from only one side, reducing friction and improving the overall aesthetics of the movement. Helwig also worked to reduce the weight of the tourbillon cage to further improve performance; notably the 3-arm steel tourbillon cage in this watch weighs only 0.5g. Helwig trained many watchmakers at the DUS in a career which began in 1913 and spanned 41 years. His legacy continues to inspire modern horologists, and the Alfred Helwig Tourbillon remains a hallmark of precision and craftsmanship.

Hans Conrad (1914-1938) was a student at the Deutsche Uhrmacherschule in Glashütte between 1933-34. As part of his course, he took part in the prestigious Reife- und Technikerprüfung (final examination and technical test) held on 11 April 1934 and was awarded a 100 Reichmarks prize from the Georg Jacob Foundation. It is noted that his chronometer tourbillon (almost certainly this very watch) was exhibited at the International Craftsmen’s Exhibition in Berlin and the Saxony at Work exhibition in Dresden. Conrad drowned in a tragic accident on the Drin in Albania on 10 July 1938 [https://watch-wiki.org/index.php?title=Conrad,_Hans].

The German Horological School was established in Glashütte, Saxony, in 1878, marking a significant milestone in the history of watchmaking in Germany. Its founding was largely due to the efforts of Moritz Grossmann, a master watchmaker who recognized the need for formalized education in the art of precision watchmaking. Grossmann, who had worked in Glashütte alongside other pioneers such as Ferdinand Adolph Lange, wanted to ensure that the region’s watchmaking industry had a skilled workforce capable of producing high-quality timepieces. The school’s purpose was to train young craftsmen in the art and science of watchmaking, offering structured education in mechanics, design, and the latest developments in horological technology. Prior to this, most watchmakers were trained through apprenticeships, which lacked the systematic and scientific approach Grossmann envisioned. The establishment of the school was pivotal for Glashütte, solidifying its reputation as the epicentre of German watchmaking. Glashütte, often referred to as the “German Geneva,” became renowned for its precise and high-quality timepieces, thanks to the craftsmanship and technical expertise fostered by the school. Many of the school’s graduates went on to work for or found prestigious watchmaking companies, helping to elevate the industry in both Germany and internationally. Despite interruptions during both World Wars and the eventual absorption into the state-run industry in East Germany, the legacy of the German Horological School endured. After the reunification of Germany, the school was revived, continuing to play an essential role in educating the next generation of master watchmakers and maintaining Glashütte’s prestigious reputation in horology. Today, the institution is part of the German Watch Museum Glashütte and remains a symbol of precision, tradition, and innovation in watchmaking.