Imperial

During 1911-13, clocks in this 100,000 series and clocks in a 50,000 series were imported from Reinhard Vogelmann, while imports of clocks in the original series, that is below 10,000 (see I.D. 701), were continued from Württembergische Uhrenfabrik Schwenningen (Bürk Söhne). It would be natural to use a new number series (50,000) for production from another maker, but it is unknown why a second new series (100,000) was needed in the quick succession that occurred here.  It probably stems from a major alteration in design of the recording mechanism that prevented use of the recording keys from the prior series.  

Mr. Vogelmann succeeded to the business of Anton Meyer in 1885 and to the business of Theodor Hahn in 1895. Through the latter connection particularly, he was well-known to Mr. Nanz in New York. They joined as inventors in U.S. Patent #776,628  of  December 6, 1904. Thus it is understandable that Mr. Vogelmann would be chosen as a second source for "Imperial" clocks, but it is quite uncertain why it was felt necessary to have a second source. The most probable reason was to test Mr. Vogelmann  as a source for production of Newman clocks should relationships with Bürk break down. There is some evidence of  strain in those relationships in this period. Within a few years, WWI put an end to all importation of "Imperial" clocks, and nothing matching this design was ever produced subsequently.