Bark Kiel Clocks Age Determination Ship's Chronometer Kriegsmarine
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Bark, Kiel was a jeweler / watchmaker / specialist shop
The inscription "Bark Kiel" is usually found:
on the dial
rarely seen on the work
The watches themselves are from:
Swiss movement manufacturers (AS, FHF, ETA)
German works (PUW, Durowe, Unitas)
| Type of work | Typical time period |
|---|---|
| AS / FHF manual winding | ca. 1930–1960 |
| PUW / Durowe | ca. 1940–1970 |
| Unitas 6300 / 6497 | from about 1950 |
| Early ETA calibers | from about 1950/60 |
Housing & Technology
Chrome-plated brass → 1930s–1950s
Stainless steel → more common from the late 1950s onwards
Gold (585 / 14K) → easily datable via German hallmarks
Shock protection (Incabloc):
missing → mostly before 1940
present → mostly after 1945
Dial & Font
Text only "Bark Kiel", no logo:
→ typical 1930s–1950s
Very factual / simple:
→ often 1950s–1960s
Applied hourly indices:
→ mostly after 1950
Luminescent material (important!)
Radium (yellowish/brown, heavily aged):
→ ca. 1920–1955
Tritium (more uniform, duller):
→ from about 1955
3. Typical period for Bark-Kiel clocks
Based on collector and watchmaker experience:
Most well-known Bark-Kiel wristwatches originate from:
ca. 1935–1965
Focus:
Post-war period 1948–1960
