Museum piece
This ZentRa mantel clock from the 1960s has a dark brown wooden case with rounded corners and a high-gloss finish.
The nearly square dial consists of a cream-colored hour ring with applied brass markers and a dark brown center bearing the Hermle name. Slender, pointed brass hands complete the design.
A domed glass cover with a brass frame protects the dial. The front opens sideways. Particularly striking are the two angled brass feet, which give the clock its distinctive shape.
Mechanical Hermle 130-020 movement with floating balance escapement and Bim-Bam chime on three chime rods. On the hour, the clock strikes the corresponding number of hours; on the half-hour, it strikes once.
Manufacturer
Hamburg · Northern Germany – Hamburg · Germany
The ZentRa clock and watch brand originated in 1924, when Willi König and Willibald Felsing, associated with the Central Association of German Watchmakers, founded Markenuhr GmbH. The name Centra was initially used; it later became the distinctive spelling ZentRa, with its prominent capital R. On 4 September 1927, the Markenuhren-Verein was established in Berlin, together with its guarantee association.
ZentRa aimed to supply German specialist retailers with high-quality yet reasonably priced timepieces. A technical committee examined movements from various manufacturers before approving them for the brand. This commitment to quality was also reflected in the familiar advertising slogan “ZentRa – Die Uhr mit dem Reifezeugnis” (“ZentRa – the clock with a certificate of excellence”).
Over the following decades, ZentRa became one of Germany's leading specialist retail brands. At times, the association had more than 2,500 watchmakers and specialist dealers. Its range included wristwatches as well as wall, table and mantel clocks. Movements, and sometimes complete timepieces, came from various German and Swiss manufacturers and were sold under the ZentRa name.
After the Second World War, the Markenuhren-Verein became ZentRa-Markenuhren GmbH, based in Cologne. The brand was especially widespread among German specialist retailers from the 1950s to the 1970s. Quartz and digital timepieces later joined its traditional mechanical range.
Increasing international competition and changing distribution channels placed the brand under pressure. After several changes of ownership, RS-Uhrenhandelsgesellschaft mbH acquired the trademark licence in 2001. Since September 2020, the trademark rights have belonged to Zeitgeber GmbH in Hamburg. Mechanical watches are once again offered under the ZentRa name, continuing the brand's long tradition.