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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Munich, Germany · died 1588

Ulrich Schniep

Partially verified

Clockmaker and creator of astronomical instruments and sundials

Life & work

He initially provided his services to Duke Albrecht V before being appointed as a court clockmaker to his successor, Wilhelm V.

In 1566, he reportedly constructed an instrument for Emperor Maximilian II, though specific details regarding this commission remain unknown. His portable sundials exhibit a distinct influence from the work of Christoph Schissler.

The fuller biography 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.

Training, contributions & innovations

  • Schniep sometimes signed his horological creations using the initials VS.

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.

Firms, key models & movements

No firm, model or movement in this encyclopedia is yet recorded under this maker's name.

In the object catalogue

10 catalogued objects are recorded under Ulrich Schniep. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

Diagram

12345let downstripcleanoilregulateorder of work; never skip letting down the mainspring
Schematic: order of work at the bench. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Sources & references

  1. Schniep, Ulrich, Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03

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