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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Frankfurt, Germany

Lorch, Schmidt and Company

Partially verified

Precision watchmaker lathes and high-quality watch-making machines

History

Lorch, Schmidt & Co. was established in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1885 with Fritz Lorch as the owner.

The company became renowned for manufacturing precision watchmaker lathes, including 6 mm and 8 mm models. Throughout its existence, the business traded under three primary brand names: F. Lorch, L.S. & Co., and Lorch, Schmidt & Co. Although the firm produced a wide range of machinery, the 'Lorch Triumph' lathe is considered a milestone that helped popularize the Geneva-pattern lathe.

Following the Second World War, the use of the Lorch, Schmidt & Co. brand label was gradually discontinued.

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 company is no longer in operation, having officially ceased business in 1979.

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

Lorch Triumph
This lathe, first appearing in the 1890 catalogue, is noted for its lightweight construction and ease of use.
Model C11
The C11 was a backgeared and screwcutting lathe with origins in the mid-1890s that remained in production into the 1930s.

Major innovations

  • The company introduced the Lorch Triumph, which became a significant advancement in watchmaker lathe technology.
  • They secured various patents between 1894 and 1901, including the German patent DRP 132 046.

Known markings

  • Common trade signatures include F. Lorch, Lorch, Schmidt & Co., and L. S. & Co.

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 Lorch, Schmidt and Company. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

  • Fitted teak box containing the Lorch 6mm lathe and collets, shown alongside the compound slide, bench pulley, and catalogues
  • Elevated view of Lorch Schmidt & Co. watchmaker's lathe set in fitted wooden box with accessories

Sources & references

  1. Precision Instrument Maker's Bench Lathe | Science Museum Group Collection, Science Museum Group, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  2. Lorch, Schmidt & Co. - Watch-Wiki - Das Uhrenlexikon, Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  3. F.Lorch, Lorch Schmidt, L.S. & Co. Lathes, lathes.co.uk, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)

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