Lot 67

F. L. Löbner

Tertienzähler

A collection of 3 1/100 of a second chronograph, made by F.L. Löbner, Berlin
A rare 1/100 of a second chronograph

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The tertiae counter is a high precision stop clock that allows measuring time in units of 1/100 sec [01].
The design is based on concepts developed by Moritz Grossmann, Ignatz Marenzeller and Franz Ludwig Löbner [02]. Löbner eventually perfected the construction of the tertiae counter and became the most important manufacturer of this type of clock, other makers were Johannes Hammer in Leipzig and Strasser & Rohde in Glashütte. Clockmaker R. Dreßler, who at the time worked for the Löbner company, writes in his memoirs [03]: "The most important products, which were completely produced in the Löbner workshops, were the tertiae counters created for navies all over the world".
The tertiae counter always sits in a round case. It has two plates connected by three twisted pillars. All tertiae clocks are powered by chain/fusee and fitted with a Maltese cross mechanism. The clocks all feature an escapement with a 25-teeth wheel. It is always a deadbeat escapement according to Graham without an anchor. This means that the balance’s amplitude is always very small with only a few angular degrees.
Tertiae counter on the left, serial no. 84: Early counter (circa 1900) made by Löbner with 1 pusher, to be operated like a normal stopwatch.
Tertiae counter on the right, serial no. 927: counter made by Löbner (circa 1938), with 1 pusher, with original wooden plate showing that at one time the counter was built into an electromagnetic trigger unit according to Löbner Dr. Schulte.
Middle tertiae counter, serial number 1002: One of the last counters produced by Löbner, with 2 pushers for start/stop and zero setting of the pointers, respectively. The certification stamp 38 PTR 41 on the back of the case shows that the counter was tested at PTR in Berlin in 1941 and received a certificate. auf der Rückseite des Gehäuses belegt, dass der Tertienzähler 1941 von der PTR in Berlin geprüft wurde und ein Gangzeugnis erhielt. The instrument was most likely used for military purposes.
Literature:
[01] Schraven, T.: F.L. Löbner Tertienuhren aus Berlin, DGC 52 (2013), p. 161-194
[02] Reichenbach-Hoffmann, H.: Die Zeitmessung in der Heerestechnik, Die Uhrmacherkunst 30 (1929), S. 631-632; 48 (1929) p. 986-988.
[03] Dreßler, R.: Lebenserinnerungen eines alten Uhrmachers, DUZ 24 (1931), p. 349-350.
The text is courtesy of Dr. Thomas Schraven, expert in short-term measurements.