SCHLUMPF Zeitmaschinen Volume 1

2018 

Edition 

SCHLUMPF 

BECOME TIMELESS 

1

„I‘ve always been fascinated by mechanical 

devices, and I can just look at my 

Time Machine for minutes on end, 

looking at the details of its construction.“ 

Adam Rice, USA 

„My Time Machine immediately captives the interest of my visitors; they love to sit down and 

watch the motion. Initially, I had the hands installed then realized it is more about the rhythmic, 

sonorous regularity of passing time. As I observe, a small wheel moves a larger one, 

stimulating philosophical contemplation. The most amazing thing for me as a musician is that 

the sounds of the Time Machine have never disrupted my playing!” 

Clemens Goldberg, Musician, Berlin 

„I like the design and that it is art“ 

Boris, Pilot, Switzerland 

„Fall in Love ... 

„My Time Machine can not turn 

time back or forth. But it lets me 

enjoy the presence!“ 

„The sound of the Time 

Machine brings a little 

magic to each morning 

coffee.“ 

Désirée Fischer, 

Marketing Manager, Switzerland 

Margrit Anliker Schlumpf, Switzerland 

„The work of art is at the heart of our hotel, in the 

reception area, where it is admired by many people 

every day, symbolizing the outstanding symbiosis of 

art and technology.“ 

Fritz Erni, Director Art Deco Hotel Lucerne 

„The Time Machine has taken me from the 

beginning into magically timeless moments. 

She accompanies me - almost meditatively 

- out of everyday life. I find the contact with 

myself again - sonorous - not timed. „ 

Franz Furmaniak, Bicycle Builder, Germany

„Schlumpf Time Machines elevate the notion of time to a level of art! 

Our TM4 is a stunning and inspiring eye-catcher in the entrance of 

our family office.“ 

„Now our home is complete“ 

Sandra Vazquez, Lawyer, Zurich 

Sulamith Semrad, Musician, Switzerland 

„I am privileged to have one of the 

first models at my home. Apart from 

loving the Time Machine ourselves 

it is a wonderful talking point for 

most of our visiting international 

friends. Above all it does NOT show 

the time!“ 

Dick van Meurs, Woking, UK 

... at first sight“ 

„The inspiring difference!“ 

Dan Semrad, Architect, Switzerland 

„In 2015 we spent a nice little holiday in a nice hotel overlooking the 

stunning „Vierwaldstaettersee“. In the lobby was „ticking“ this impressive 

Zeitmaschine with deep sound. Every morning before leaving for the 

excursion I was watching „the machine“. And every evening the same 

ritual just before the aperitif to finish the nice day. So we fell in love with 

this nice masterpiece and decided to install one in our home alongside 

the nice river „Leie“ near Gent. Since then we enjoy the view and the 

sound every morning and every evening again, for many years to go. It 

brings quietness and peace!“ 

Jef Maes, Chairman and C.E.O., Belgium 



3

„Time Machines are installations 

of impressive kinetic art, 

designed and developed by SCHLUMPF, 

an expert engineering crew 

with a passion for Art and Mechanical Precision. 

For more than 130 years, 

our brand has been a synonym 

for Swissness, precision engineering, 

uniqueness, inventions, quality and 

spirit of entrepreneurship.“ 

Florian Schlumpf, Founder & CEO 



5

TM3

SCHLUMPF TM3 

CONQUER THE WORLD OF TIME 

The Time Machine Collection consists of compositions 

celebrating the mechanical precision 

and sensory pleasure of a traditional clock in a 

purely artistic manner. 

Each variation exposes the inner workings of 

the clock mechanism and places the motion of 

each gear, spring, and axle in the spotlight. 

The TM3 runs for eight days driven by double 

spiral springs and axles supported by ball bearings 

with non-contact seals to reduce friction. 

This piece also incorporates patent-pending 

anchor arms built with spring-loaded technology 

providing smooth, almost silent operation requiring 

minimal energy. 

The suspension system transforms the kinetic 

energy of the movement to the spring so that very 

little power is wasted. 

In addition to the skeletonized appearance, 

the Time Machines are hand-finished in eyecatching 

colour palettes of black, silver or 

gold, which enhance their modern architecture. 

In either finish, each kinetic sculpture transforms 

a space both visually and audibly. 

Due to its light aluminium structure, the TM3 

weighs only 10 kg while measuring 1.3 meters 

(“Kaspar” & “Anna”) or 1.8 meters (“Johann” & 

“Paulina”). 



7

TM3


THE ENGINEERING BEHIND 

SPRING-LOADED 

ANCHOR PALLETS 

CLOCKWORK DRIVE 


TOOTH PROFILE 

TIME INDICATION OR TIME- 

LESSNESS 

The Schlumpf principle of the 

spring loaded anchor pallets 

is used on the small TM3, providing 

very smooth and nearly 

silent operation. 

The Time Machine runs on the 

energy contained in two spiral 

spring housings, that provide 

up to eight days of runtime. 

The springs are connected in 

series, so winding one gives 

power to both springs. 

Based on a Wildhaber-Novikov 

tooth profile, Schlumpf 

uses self-lubricating bronze 

bushings on hardened and 

high-polished pins. 

Schlumpf offers a selection of 

different hand designs. Classical 

(shown below) to modern 

or minimalistic. 

Hands are hold by magnets; 

simply click them on or off. 

The housings are geared on 

their outer side, one with a 

standard tooth shape, the 

other with bronze bushing on 

hardened steel pins, giving a 

nearly frictionless operation. 

On a standard escapement, 

all the kinetic energy of the 

wheelwork is lost, when the 

anchor pin hits the anchor 

pallet. With our special anchor 

pallets, the energy is stored 

in the spring steel material of 

the pin, and the energy flows 

directly into the swing of the 

pendulum at the next cycle. 

This reduces friction to the absolute 

minimum and completes 

the technical perfection of 

an outstanding mechanism full 

of ground-breaking solutions 

never seen in the world of 

clock making before! 



9

TM3


THE MODELS 

TM3 „JOHANN“ TM3 „KASPAR“ TM3 „PAULINA“ TM3 „ANNA“ 

ALL 

• 2 spiral springs as energy 

source 

• 8 days runtime 

• 10 gears 

• hands for minute and hour 

very easy adjustable, 

removable and exchangeable 

(various hand designs 

available). 

• stand alone 

• long version 

• 185 cm high 

• 27 cm diameter 

of base plate 

• 15 kg weight 

• stand alone 

• short version 


• 27 cm diameter 

of base plate 


• wall mounted 

• long version 



• wall mounted 

• short version 





11

“My father’s creativity in engineering 

and my creativity in design, 

photography & entrepreneurship 

are very much complementary and 

open a wide range for business opportunities. 

It is my true intention 

to further develop our unique business, 

with unique people and unique products, 

all around the globe!“ 

Fiona Schlumpf 



13

TM4


CONTEMPLATE THE PASSING OF TIME 

The dynamic Time Machine TM4 by 

SCHLUMPF creates a dramatic portal into the 

universe of time by virtue of its size. Measuring 

approximately 2.2 x 2.2 meters, the bold, black 

filigree frame houses onyx black and golden 

anodized gears contrasting with a mirror – polished 

golden pendulum disk and hands. A striking 

component is the large 1.8 meter orbital drive. 

An anchor beam rotating around the central anchor 

wheel provides constant movement. 

„Sit back, watch the 

mesmerizing movement, 

listen to the sound 

of the pendulum 

and contemplate 

the passing of time“ 

Although the isochronal sounds of the clock are 

alluring, the escapement uses spring–like anchor 

pallets, which produce smooth, virtually silent 

transitions. These models feature hands indicating 

seconds, minutes, hours, and day of week. 



15

TM4



ORBITAL DRIVETM 

The patent-pending mechanism 

provides a steady rotation 

of the wheelwork, while the 

anchor wheel is in a „stop-andgo“ 

mode only. 

During rotation energy flows 

into the small sun wheel, 

which contains a spiral spring, 

and back to the anchor wheel. 

The steady motion leads not 

only to a powerful and wide 

pendulum swing but also to a 

very econo mic operation mode. 

PENDULUM SUSPENSION 

The pendulum rod with the 

big pendulum disk rests on 

two hardened and sharpened 

needles, which are hold in two 

hardened seats. 

One more refined detail of a 

sophisticated technique, that 

provides long life span and 

high efficiency. 

SCHLUMPF TOOTHING 

On the TM4, Schlumpf combines 

a conventional cycloidal 

gear with a special design of 

lantern cog: self – lubricating 

bronze bushings run on hardened 

and high – polished pins. 

SPRING LOADED ANCHOR 

PALLETS 

The patent-pending principle 

of the spring loa ded anchor 

pallets is one more big improvement 

in the clock history. 

While hitting the anchor pin, 

the pallet doesn‘t lose all the 

energy during the impact but 

conserves the driving force 

through a smooth tensioning 

of the pallet, which is made of 

high tech spring steel. 

One more contribution to a 

very effective and nearly silent 

operation mode! 










17

TM4

SCHLUMPF TM4 METAMORPHOSIS 

ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION 

TM4 BLACK / GOLD TM4 BLACK / SILVER TM4 SILVER / BLACK 

Frame 

Wheels 

Pendulum 

Anchor Wheel 

Anchor Beam 

Onyx Black 

Onyx Black 

Galactic Gold 

Galactic Gold 

Galactic Gold 

Frame 

Wheels 

Pendulum 

Anchor Wheel 

Anchor Beam 

Onyx Black 

Onyx Black 

Titanium Space Grey 



Frame 

Wheels 

Pendulum 

Anchor Wheel 

Anchor Beam 



Onyx Black 

Onyx Black 

Onyx Black 



19

TM4


CLASSIC COLLECTION 

TM4 BLACK / GOLD 

TM4 GOLD / BLACK 

Frame 

Wheels 

Pendulum 

Anchor Wheel 

Anchor Beam 

Onyx Black 


Galactic Gold 

Galactic Gold 

Galactic Gold 

Frame 

Wheels 

Pendulum 

Anchor Wheel 

Anchor Beam 

Onyx Black 

Galactic Gold 

Onyx Black 

Onyx Black 

Onyx Black 



21

“Florian’s inventions are phenomenal, 

colourful spots, inspiring, unique & exclusive! 

This explosive combination is what our clients love: 

From Switzerland, 

fine engineering since 1885, 

a unique product and the certainty 

that only an exclusive circle of people 

own those products.“ 

Andreas Schlumpf, Sales 



23

TM5


AN ETERNAL KINETIC ART COMPOSITION 

The TM5 is an eternal kinetic art composition 

that transcends time by uniting contemporary 

design with the authentic traditions 

of Swiss timekeeping. 

noiseless motor periodically winding the 

springs that drive the machine and an escapement 

using spring-like anchor pallets, which 

produce smooth, virtually inaudible transitions. 

The rhythmic oscillation of the pendulum, 

exposed components of the skeletonized 

clock mechanism, and the sheer size of the 

piece measuring 1.2 x 1.2 meters converge to 

create a work of art with a powerful presence: 

its intricate design and constant motion 

deliver adroit, ever-changing artistry as the 

elegant wheels turn in time to the swings of 

the pendulum. 

The TM5 captures the true beauty of time, 

while simultaneously remaining a marvellous, 

kinetic work of art that enlivens any space from 

a boardroom to formal foyer. 

Thanks to its central structure made of highstrength 

aluminium, this animated work of art 

can be displayed on a wall with or without the 

bold frame enclosing the clock mechanism. 

Complementing this hypnotic sway is the 

steady movement of the oversized wheel and 

anchor beam of Schlumpf’s patent-pending 

Orbital DriveTM system. 

Choose to have the TM5 display minutes, hours 

and day of the week with magnetically positioned 

pointers. Or, move beyond precision by 

completely removing any indication of time to 

invoke timeless admiration, thereby revealing 

the TM5 in its purest form. 

While the modern architecture of the piece 

immediately draws the observer in by creating 

a mechanical and restlessly changing image, 

soothing acoustics of endless ticks and tocks 

enhance the connection with time. 

The isochronal sounds of the clock are the focus 

as the balance of the complex machine is otherwise 

virtually silent thanks to an almost 

The TM5 Master Collection is available in four 

striking designs comprising anodized aluminium 

in a variety eye-catching colour paletts 

including Galactic Gold, Titanium Space Grey, 

and Onyx Black; this work of art can also be 

further customized to the desires of its future 

owner. 



25

TM5



ORBITAL DRIVE 

The patent-pending mechanism 

provides a steady rotation 

of the wheelwork, while 

the anchor wheel only is in a 

„stop-and-go“ mode. 

CLOCKWORK DRIVE 

The Time Machine runs with 

the energy contained in a „sixpack“ 

of spiral spring housings, 

wound with a tiny electric 

motor from time to time. 

The tension of the springs 

regulates the turning-on of 

the motor and stops it, if the 

springs are fully wound-up. 

The TM5 is delivered with an 

external 110-230V power adapter 

to drive the internal 12V 

micro motor. 


TOOTH PROFILE 

Based on a Wildhaber-Novikov 

toothing, Schlumpf 

uses self-lubricating bronze 

bushings on hardened and 

high-polished pins. 

SPRING LOADED ANCHOR 

PALLETS 

The patent-pending principle 

of the spring loaded anchor 

pallets is one more big improvement 

in the clock history. 

While hitting the anchor pin, 

the pallets don‘t destroy all 

the energy during the impact 

but conserve the driving force 

through a smooth tensioning 

of the pallets, which are made 

of a high tech spring steel. 

During rotation energy flows 

from the wheelwork into the 

small sunwheel on the anchor 

beam, which contains a spiral 

spring, and accelerates the 

anchor wheel periodically. The 

steady motion leads not only 

to a powerful and wide pendulum 

swing but also to a very 

economic operation mode. 








Another contribution to a very 

effective and nearly silent 

operation mode! 



27

TM5


THE MODELS 

TM5 BLACK / BLACK TM5 BLACK / GOLD TM5 BLACK / GREY 

Frame 

Wheels 

Pendulum 

Anchor Wheel 

Anchor Beam 

Onyx Black 

Onyx Black 

Onyx Black 

Onyx Black 

Onyx Black 

Frame 

Wheels 

Pendulum 

Anchor Wheel 

Anchor Beam 

Onyx Black 

Onyx Black 

Galactic Gold 

Galactic Gold 

Galactic Gold 

Frame 

Wheels 

Pendulum 

Anchor Wheel 

Anchor Beam 

Onyx Black 

Onyx Black 






29

SCHLUMPF MONUMENTAL PROJECTS 

MOSCOW MONUMENTAL CLOCK 

In the year 2014, Schlumpf worked with 

the Russian Pedrodvorets Watch Factory 

to develop and build a monumental clock 

with a twelve-meter-long pendulum and 

cogwheels up to four meters in diameter 

for the traditional Moscow Detski Mir 

Warenhaus. 

This project unveiled many new technologies, 

one of them being the orbital drive, which 

allows the entire clockwork to move steadily, 

with only the anchor wheel stopping intermittently 

so as to preserve the kinetic energy of 

the movement. 



31

SCHLUMPF MONUMENTAL PROJECTS 

BASELWORLD 2015 

SCHLUMPF installed the Four-Quadrant 

Time Machine at Baselworld 2015, which 

stood in the inner courtyard of the famous 

watch and clock fair, another monumental 

installation. 

Its five meters size was big enough to walk 

through, inviting the visitor to listen to the 

magical sound of four identical but non-synchronous 

Time Machines. 

The visitor could also watch the movement 

of 24 wheels rotating steadily, with only the 

anchor wheels being stopped and released by 

the pendulum. 



33

SCHLUMPF MONUMENTAL STUDIES 

MONUMENTAL PENDULUM SCULPTURE 

SCHLUMPF products have always 

attracted attention and admiration. 

Marvellous speaks to the power of 

fascination, creating a captive moment 

that lets us transcend from the mechanical 

tick-tock to a state of admiration 

for life and everything it has to offer. 

We derive our energy from marvelling, 

of being stopped in wonder of how the 

impossible is made possible. 

To us, marvelling us is much more than 

the fascination of indulging in the seductive 

movement of our Time Machines. 

For us, marvelling is deeply rooted in the 

admiration of all that is beautiful: Past, 

present and future! 

We marvel at our ancestors, of how they 

have overcome obstacles and found ways 

to innovate and create the great mechanical 

master pieces of their time. 

We admire technological advancements as 

much as we enjoy the power of presence. 

From the majestic and panoramic scenes 

in Trimmis to the beautiful environments 

our Time Machines are placed in. 

With this background, innovative projects 

are being created. One of them is 

the study for a „MONUMENTAL PEN- 

DULUM SCULPTURE“, which will be 

shown at an international exhibition. 



35

SCHLUMPF PROJECT STUDIES 

RAINMAN 

Our Time Machines are here to appreciate 

the moment, to feel the power of 

the past, present and future all in one. 

They offer a unique way to get lost in 

time and to find oneself within. For 

an indefinite moment, one tick-tock at 

a time, SCHLUMPF Time Machines 

make you become timeless. 

We use the art to explore our interest in 

clocks and precision mechanisms, and 

perfect function is of the utmost importance. 

We achieve this through the design 

and development process, taking place in 

the Swiss workshop, which is primarily 

guided by intuition. 

Florian Schlumpf, creator and founder, 

engineer and artist with degrees in both 

fields, has been creating installations exploring 

time and space since decades. 

One of them is the Study „RAINMAN“ 

as the first Time Machine designed for 

„all-weather outdoor operation“. 

Beside the stunning design, RAINMAN 

is with its chrome-nickel finish the pure 

eye-catcher. 



37


IT ONCE BEGAN WITH A TM1 ... 

The Time Machine Collection consists of different 

compositions celebrating the mechanical precision 

and sensory pleasure of a traditional clock in a purely 

artistic manner. Each variation, from the TM1 

onwards, exposes the inner workings of the clock 

mechanism and places the motion of each gear, 

spring, and axle in the spotlight. 

In addition to the skeletonized appearance, the Time 

Machines are hand-finished in eye-catching colour 

palettes of black, silver, copper, or gold, which enhance 

their modern architecture. Whether standing on its own 

or hanging on a wall, each kinetic sculpture transforms 

a space both visually and audibly. 

The statuesque TM1 model, rooted on a disk-shaped 

floor plate, stands more than two meters tall (6.5 feet), 

elongated by a steel frame bringing its total weight to 

an impressive 80 kg. This dominant vertical structure 

features a timing mechanism consisting of four pairs 

of gears and an escape wheel measuring an incredible 

500mm in diameter. The meditative swing of the 

TM1‘s pendulum remains in operation for half a week 

without a fresh injection of energy. 



39

SCHLUMPF, HERAWISWEG 13, 7203 TRIMMIS/SWITZERLAND 

R&D, MANUFACTURING Florian Schlumpf +41 81 723 80 09 info@schlumpf.swiss 

SALES Andreas Schlumpf +41 41 500 08 01 sales@schlumpf.swiss 

www.schlumpf.swiss

SCHLUMPF Zeitmaschinen Volume 1

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?