History

1843

Johann Meyer was the clockman of the Ottoman Empire. At the age of 33, he returned to the city of his early childhood Constantinople to serve in the service of Sultan Abdulhamid II. Johann was born on 18 November 1843 in Athens, due to his father’s work in the Royal-Greek military corps. Shortly after Johann's birth, the family went to Constantinople (Istanbul), where he spent his first four years. The Meyer family again moved back to Greece: in the north, to Thessaloniki.

1876

Johann has educated in Berlin. He worked in a watchmaker's workshop at Unter den Linden when he hears of a tender: The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire was looking for a watchmaker. Johann applied and choosen for the position. He was the clockmaster of "Yıldız Palace" 1876, in Constantinople (Istanbul).

1878

He made and repaired all the watches and clocks that are in the palace, as well as to those of the princes and princesses, the higher officials, generals and ministers. Johann founded "Meyer Clock Shop", a watchmaker's shop in the heart of Constantinople. At this time, the Tunel-train was built, connecting the district of Karakoy with the Galata.

Johann Meyer opened his shop on 1 May 1878 just in front of the stop of the new subway, as it hopes to walk-in customers. And his plan worked. Business was excellent, so that he would soon have to hire two staff. The "Alman Saatci" the German watchmaker, soon very well knowned far beyond the borders of the city. Still include princes and senior officials to its customers.

1886

Johann was a master of his craft, and he had a very interesting project: He wanted to design a clock, that displays both the European Time and the prayer times for Muslims ,which is triggered by the position of the sun. After 8 years of hard work, he successed this uniqe clock, and he gave this to Sultan as a gift and he was awarded by a medal of honor.

1914

On September 3, 1883 Johann's son Emil was born. He became a watchmaker too, after a education in Berlin like his father did. He took over the business after he returned to Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1914.

1920

Emil married Martha Louise Josephine Kinkelin, also born in Istanbul. The marriage gave four children. Johann Meyer died on August 4, 1920. He was buried in the Protestant cemetery in Istanbul in Meyer's family grave. Emil continued the clock shop successfully 34 years.

1954

Johann’s business continued to exist many years after his dead. Emil’s son Wolfgang Meyer took over the family business and the shop after he lost his father in 1954.

1955

Wolfgang Meyer, had designed iconic vintage clocks in 1955.

1975

Wolfgang also imported Timecard machines to the country as a pioneer in Turkey clocks and guard clocks. At the same time he designed different wall clocks began limited production.

1981

The company has been operated successfully and has grown, till Wolfgang Meyer death in 1981, Wolfgang Meyer, leaves a testament to its stake in the company, Nahsen Bayindir like a son.