Imperial

The "Imperial" is, in essence, a stripped-down Newman with a simplified mechanism, a lighter case, a lighter movement, and no face and hands.  To the market place, absence of face and hands was the feature that probably most distinguished the "Imperial" from the "Newman."  The Newman Clock Company supplied the "Imperial" to the Nanz Clock Company exclusively, though both companies sold the Newman 1902 as well.

This picture of clock number 3653 reveals the presence of a sprocket-shaped dial carrier, an invention for which Abraham Newman received a patent in October, 1908.  Since this movement was built right on the main plate, the spidery framework seen in this view was used to cover the movement pivot holes in order to keep out dirt and paper fibers.  

An "Imperial" numbered below 10,000 was manufactured by Württembergische Uhrenfabrik Schwenningen (Bürk Söhne) from 1903 until the World War.  Those in series 50,000 and 100,000 were manufactured  by Reinhard Vogelmann for a short period before the War (see I.D. 703).