Germany's largest collection on the history of timekeeping, with Black Forest clocks and cuckoo clocks – currently closed for a complete renovation.
Special exhibition
On view at the StattMuseum: high-quality table clocks by the Schwenningen company Kienzle from a private collection, ranging from crystal glass models of the 1930s to Plexiglas cases of the 1970s.
The collection goes back to Robert Gerwig, who, as head of the Grand Ducal Baden Clockmaking School founded in Furtwangen in 1850, began collecting historic clocks in 1852. They were intended to serve as models for the students and to promote the Black Forest clock industry. The collection was first shown publicly in 1858 at a trade exhibition in Villingen; from 1874 it was on permanent display in a newly built trade hall, which is considered the founding of the museum.
In the 20th century, the holdings grew considerably, for example in 1975 with the collection of the Kienzle clock factory. A new building replaced the old one in 1959, and in 1992 the museum moved into its current home on Robert-Gerwig-Platz. It is run by Hochschule Furtwangen (Furtwangen University), which grew out of the former clockmaking school.
With around 8,000 objects, the Deutsches Uhrenmuseum is one of the most important clock collections in the world. The permanent exhibition spanned sundials and early wheel clocks, Renaissance showpiece clocks, and pendulum clocks through to Black Forest wooden clockmaking, industrial mass production, and pocket watches and wristwatches.
Since August 2024, the museum has been closed for a complete renovation with new electrical systems, climate control, and insulation; the exhibition is being redesigned in the process. During construction, the museum operates the StattMuseum nearby as a workshop and exhibition space.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Great for kids & families
During the renovation, workshops at the StattMuseum (Friedrichstraße 3) such as build-your-own cuckoo clock (bookable by phone Mon–Fri) and the children's club "Finn's Freunde" for grades 3 to 7.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Workshops at the StattMuseum can be booked by phone Mon–Fri (+49 7723 920-2800). With “Uhrenmuseum unterwegs”, the team visits schools, daycare centers, and senior facilities. The collection can be viewed online on museum-digital. |
Cookies help you use this website. We only load the map and statistics with your consent.
