JENS OHLSEN
Danish watchmaker
Jens Olsen was born in Ribe on July 27, 1872. Even as a child he showed his talent as a locksmith and later became a skilled watchmaker and instrument maker. When he was 25, Jens Olsen went to Strasbourg, home of what was then a technical marvel, the astronomical perpetual calendar clock, which can still be found in the cathedral today. He studied these carefully on his repeated visits and was amazed by the many complex functions.
Jens Olsen settled in Basel, where he worked as a journeyman and studied at the university. The idea of building an even more comprehensive astronomical clock began to mature in his mind. In 1902, after 5 years of wandering, Jens Olsen returned to Denmark, where he was Obermeister at the royal court and instrument maker Cornelius Knudsen worked in Copenhagen.
In 1905, he married Anna Sofie Kröldrup, who lived at Hallingsgade 8 in downtown Copenhagen. There he established himself as an astrology mechanic and watchmaker. He earned a reputation as an inventive craftsman. Various scientific institutions entrusted him with many assignments of various kinds.
In 1906 he was one of the founding members of the Danish Astronomical Society. During the entire period of his work he carried out numerous calculations and made designs in order to realize his dream - the complete astronomical clock. At the age of 60, Jens Olsen was able to complete all the necessary calculations. Professor Elis Strömgren stated at the time: "Both from an astronomical and a mechanical point of view, Jens Olsen's designs rest on a solid foundation and show a combination of two different qualifications that have rarely been combined in one person."
Two years later, in 1934, the realization of the project began: the construction of the astronomical clock for Copenhagen City Hall. Olsen was not lucky enough to see the completion of his watch. Ten of the eleven functions were completed when he died at the age of 73 on November 17, 1945 and was buried in Bispebjerg Cemetery.
His dream was nevertheless realized with the help of the young watchmaker Otto Mortensen and the architect Gunnar Petersen Biilmann. On December 15, 1955 at 3 p.m., King Friedrich IX and Jens Olsen's youngest grandchild Birgit officially started the clock.
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JENS OHLSEN
Well preserved clock for your table, fireplace or wherever you like to have a gentle, soothing "Tick Tock..." around.
One week power reserve.
Original white dial.
12 x 8 x 6,5 cm
Clock is fully restored in year 2021 and works perfectly for its age.
Differential taxation according to § 25a UStG. No taxes included. | Differenzbesteuerung nach § 25a UStG. Kunstgegenstände und Sammlungsstücke, Sonderregelung.
