Franz Lidecke Geestmünde Chronometer Age Determination
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Who was Lidecke, Geestemünde?
- Franz Lidecke (later possibly C. Lidecke) was a master watchmaker in Geestemünde , which today belongs to Bremerhaven (then an independent city).
- Active during the period approximately 1895 – 1940 .
- Occupation: Watchmaker & chronometer maker, dealer and inspector , non-industrial manufacturer.
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The engraving is known to appear on watches:
“Lidecke – Geestemünde”
or “F. Lidecke Watchmaker – Geestemünde” - He frequently dealt in precise Swiss movements (Aegler, A. Schild, FHF, Unitas), which he regulated and signed in his own shop.
Serial numbers and age determination
Since Lidecke was not a manufacturer in its own right, the serial numbers usually come from the manufacturer of the raw movement , not from Lidecke itself.
Nevertheless, a good chronological classification can be derived from typical series of works.
| Serial number (approx.) | Period | Typical characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| 100,000 – 250,000 | 1895 – 1905 | Silver case (800/900 hallmark), enamel dial, Swiss lever escapement |
| 250,000 – 400,000 | 1905 – 1915 | “15 Rubis – Swiss Made”, fine bridge works, often Aegler / Rebberg type |
| 400,000 – 600,000 | 1915 – 1925 | Precision pocket watches, Arabic numerals, luminous material (radium), steel hands |
| 600,000 – 900,000 | 1925 – 1935 | Wristwatches & observation watches, printed metal dials |
| > 900,000 | after 1935 | Late calibers (AS, FHF), some of which were military deliveries (Third Reich era) |
Characteristics for chronological classification without a number list
| feature | Time range |
|---|---|
| Enamel dial with Roman numerals | 1890–1910 |
| Arabic numerals, fine guilloché pattern | 1905–1920 |
| Luminous numerals (radium) | from 1915 |
| Metal dial with print | from 1930 |
| Case: 800/900 silver, crescent moon and crown | Typical German import goods < 1930 |
| Nickel or steel casing | 1925–1940 |
Origin of the works
Most well-known Lidecke clocks contain movements by:
- Aegler SA (Rebberg type) → around 1900–1920
- A. Schild SA (AS Caliber 970, 340) → 1920–1935
- FHF / Unitas → late 1930s
Source: AI
1 comment
Moin!
Ich habe ein altes Marine Chronometer von Franz Lidecke, Geestemünde so die Aufschrift auf dem Ziefernblatt ,geschenkt bekommen.
Das Uhrwerk befindet sich nicht in einer Holzbox, kardanisch aufgehängt und montiert. Schwer und massiv, das Uhrwerk ist von Glashütte.
Die Uhr läuft nicht, und ein Schlüssel fehlt.
Wer weiss eine gute kompetente Adresse, wo ich die Uhr wieder gangbar gemacht werden könnte.
Besten Dank für Tipps.