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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Karl W. Höhnel Glashütte pocket watch

Partially verified

This Carl W. Höhnel pocket watch, dated to approximately 1930, features a 50mm diameter gold-plated case. The watch is constructed as a triple-cover (savonnette style) piece with an inner protective dust cover. The exterior of the case is decorated with a guilloché Art Deco diamond pattern. The dial is gold-toned, displaying a central 12-hour scale with Arabic numerals, an outer peripheral 24-hour track, and blued steel hands. The maker, Karl Wilhelm Höhnel (1885–1936), was a former apprentice of A. Lange & Söhne who later established his own workshop in Glashütte. This specific item is reported to be in functional condition, with the auction description noting that the watch starts and runs when wound. The case is suggested to be a sourced component, possibly manufactured by Gustav Rau, Pforzheim.

The Carl W. Höhnel pocket watch, showing the dial, hands, and the open triple-cover case structure.
The Carl W. Höhnel pocket watch, showing the dial, hands, and the open triple-cover case structure. — Sammler-Uhren. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
sammler-uhren.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Carl W. Höhnel
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1930
Source-reported place
Germany

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Construction

The watch is housed in a 50mm gold-plated case finished with a 20-micron layer. It is designed as a triple-cover timepiece, featuring an additional interior dust cover protecting the movement.

The dial is finished in gold and features a dual-time display: an inner Arabic numeral scale for 12 hours and an outer peripheral scale for 24 hours. The hands are manufactured from blued steel.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gehäusedurchmesser: 50mm, 20 Micron vergoldet”
  • “vergoldetes Gehäuse fein guillochiert mit Art Deko Rautenmuster”
  • “Goldenes Zifferblatt mit innerer, arabischer 12 Stundenskala und äusserer, umlaufender 24h Skala”

Movement and Origin

The movement is unsigned and gold-plated. The auction description notes that while the watch is attributed to Carl W.

The maker, Karl Wilhelm Höhnel, established his workshop in Glashütte in 1916 after completing an apprenticeship at A. Lange & Söhne in 1904. The firm transitioned from precision pendulum clocks to producing wrist and pocket watches around 1920.

Evidence for this section
  • “Das unsignierte vergoldete Werk wohl schon aus beginnender industriellen Produktion lässt eindeutig die herkunft von der typischen Glashütter Dreiviertelplatine erkennen”
  • “Ab ca. 1920 stellte Höhnel auch hochwertige Taschenuhren her”

Reported Condition

According to the auction description, the watch is in a functional state and will run when wound. The dial is described as unrestored with minimal signs of aging.

The case exhibits normal wear and tear but maintains integrity, with all covers reported to close firmly and flush. The accuracy of the movement has not been verified by the seller.

Evidence for this section
  • “Das herrliche Stück Uhrengeschichte läuft an und durch (Ganggenauigkeit nicht geprüft)”
  • “alle Deckel schliessen fest und bündig”
  • “Zifferblatt unrestauriert mit kaum erkennbaren Alters- oder Gebrauchsspuren”

Open research questions

  • Are there any identifying hallmarks on the case interior that would confirm the manufacture by Gustav Rau?
  • Does the lack of signature on the movement preclude an definitive attribution to the Carl W. Höhnel workshop?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Karl W. Höhnel Glashütte pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerCarl W. Höhnel“Carl W. Höhnel super seltene orig. Glashütte SA Taschenuhr”
Datecirca 1930“ca. 1930”
Case material20 micron gold-plated“20 Micron vergoldet”
Dial features12-hour and 24-hour scales“Goldenes Zifferblatt mit innerer, arabischer 12 Stundenskala und äusserer, umlaufender 24h Skala”
Movement typeThree-quarter plate“eindeutig die herkunft von der typischen Glashütter Dreiviertelplatine erkennen”
Case originPossibly Gustav Rau, Pforzheim“vermutlich Gustav Rau aus Pforzheim”

Visible details

  • Gold-plated case with Art Deco guilloché diamond patterning
  • Dial features both 12-hour and 24-hour scales
  • Movement features a three-quarter plate design
  • Case includes an interior metal dust cover

Research qualifications

  • The source states the case was likely purchased from an external supplier and is not necessarily of Höhnel manufacture.
  • The auction description states that the movement is unsigned, making attribution to Höhnel based on movement characteristics.
  • The auction description notes that timekeeping accuracy has not been tested.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Seltenste Carl W. Höhnel Glashütte Taschenuhr Glashütter Bauart ca. 1930

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 1ca8390833

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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