Gustav Becker & Antique Wall Clocks

Of the many clock manufacturers in Germany in the 19th century, the name Gustav Becker is recognized as one of the leading producers of high-quality Antique Wall Clocks, as well as a variety of other types of clocks, including mantel clocks, anniversary clocks, and watches.  Gustav Becker (1819 - 1885) learned the clockmaking trade in Austria and Germany, eventually opening a very successful factory in Freiburg, Germany, in 1850.  He was awarded a gold medal recognizing his achievement in clock design, the Medaille d'Or, at a regional Trade Exposition held in 1852.  Gustav Becker quickly incorporated that stamp along with a Gustav Becker mark on the works of his clocks in order to establish his brand.  The Gustav Becker brand of clocks became highly celebrated, winning awards and recognition at trade shows across the world.

Antique Wall Clocks

Antique Gustav Becker Wall Clocks are synonymous with high quality craftsmanship, as Gustav Becker was able to attract the best clockmakers in Germany to work at his factory.  His clock case designs reflect a wide variety of tastes, from simple, clean lines like the weight driven Antique Gustav Becker Double Vienna Regulator Wall Clock shown above, to highly ornate, hand-carved clocks like the spring-driven Antique Gustav Becker Vienna Regulator Wall Clock shown below.  Just as the consumer public desired heavily carved Renaissance Revival furniture at the turn of the 20th century, there was also a great demand for large and highly decorated Vienna Regulator Wall Clocks.  A rising middle class that had more disposable income than ever before due to the Industrial Revolution wanted to show off their newly found wealth and prosperity, and a beautiful, high quality Gustav Becker Wall Clock was a great way to do just that.

Gustav Becker Clocks

While the founder, Gustav Becker, died in 1885, the Gustav Becker Clock Company continued to manufacture exceptional Regulator Wall Clocks bearing the Gustav Becker brand trademark until 1935, when the competitor, Junghans, purchased the company.  Below is an example of a high-quality, spring-driven Vintage Gustav Becker Wall Clock featuring a striking Art Deco design, which was one of the last Wall Clocks stamped with the Gustav Becker trademark prior to the Junghans buyout.

Gustav Becker clocks are stamped with the easily identified Gustav Becker brand trademark, which did change over time, but always prominently featured an anchor topped with a crown and the initials G and B, as shown in two marks below.

Antique Regulator Wall Clocks with the Gustav Becker brand trademark are more valuable than similar Antique Wall Clocks by other lesser-known German manufacturers and will continue to increase in value as the years go by.  An Antique Gustav Becker Wall Clock would make a wonderful addition to your collection! For more on some of our favorite clocks, check out our post here!