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The Encyclopedia of Horology

La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland

Imhof

Partially verified

High-end desk, table, and pendulum clocks

History

The company was established in 1924 by Arthur Imhof, building upon his father Frédéric's earlier dial-making business.

Known as the Manufacture de Pendulettes d'Art, the firm became globally recognized for its high-quality table clocks and decorative timepieces. To reach a broader market, the company introduced the Helveco brand in 1939 to sell accessories and wristwatches. The company underwent a significant consolidation in 1988 when it was acquired by Jean Roulet.

The extended history summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.

Current watchmaking & later fate

  • The original manufacturing facility became dormant at the end of the 1990s and the firm ceased operations in 2001.

As stated in the references listed under Sources, retrieved 2026-11-03. Ownership and collections change; check the maker's own announcements for the latest position.

Key models

Zytglogge
This model was inspired by the medieval clock tower in Bern and was successfully reissued to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Major innovations

  • Imhof developed weather station clocks that integrated multiple meteorological instruments.
  • The company engineered a unique clock where the movement traverses an inclined plane over the course of a week.

Known markings

  • The company used the brand names Imhof, Helveco, and Moda.
  • The Tempus Fugit signature appears on their rotating globe clock models.

Serial numbers

No serial-number system for this maker is recorded in the cited references.

Collecting significance

The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.

In the object catalogue

2 catalogued objects are recorded under Imhof. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

  • The Royal Geographical Society World Clock, showing the terrestrial globe within the four-pillar frame and the signed brass plaque on the ebonized base.
  • Front view of the Imhof world time desk clock showing the gilt brass case, the world map, and the 24-hour rotating disc with black hands.

Sources & references

  1. Arthur Imhof S.A. - Watch-Wiki - Das Uhrenlexikon, Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  2. IMHOF MANUFACTURE DE PENDULETTES D'ART. IMHOF was imported to, NAWCC message board, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  3. Imhof Gilt Brass Striking Clock with Automaton - MacauTimepiece Museum, Macau Time Museum, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  4. Imhof, imhofwatches.com, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  5. SIWP – Swiss Independent Watchmakers Pavilion » IMHOF, swiss-pavilion.com, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  6. Antiques: Imhof is a name to remember, desertsun.com, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.