An exhibition opening this Friday in Zittau brings together examples of refined craftsmanship from the 18th century. The special exhibition entitled "Ahead of its time" (until August 17, 2025) is dedicated to the town's former council clockmaker, Johann Gottfried Prasse (1725-1799).
According to the municipal museums, 13 clocks from the workshop of the inventive master will be on display, including a table clock with a digital display. "We didn't know how it worked," said museum director Peter Knüvener. The mystery could only be deciphered after a detailed examination in the Mathematical-Physical Salon of the Dresden State Art Collections.
The so-called night light clock from 1766 has no hands at all. It is largely preserved in its original state, only the pendulum is missing. An ingenious mechanism ensured that two metal discs with even and odd numbers moved like an hour hand. The museum decided against restarting the clockwork. Original parts would have had to be replaced.
