Wohler Brand History
In 2006, a brand new watch company hit the marketplace and instantaneously generated a worldwide buzz with watch aficionados across the globe. Since then, Wöhler watches has taken great pride in producing high-quality timepieces, filled with the most intricate details. Even though Wöhler is known for exquisite wristwatches, few are aware of the immense accomplishments by the man who's the inspiration behind each Wöhler watch.
The discoveries of Friedrich Wöhler over the course of the 19th century have become one of the greatest influences on the theory of Chemistry. It was remarked that, "...for two or three of his researches he deserves the highest honor a scientific man can obtain, but the sum of his work is absolutely overwhelming. Had he never lived, the aspect of chemistry would be very different from that it is now." But do we truly know the man behind the science?
Wöhler was born July 31, 1800 in Eschersheim near Frankfurt am Main. In 1823, he finished his study of medicine in Heidelberg at
the laboratory of Leopold Gmelin, whom after his graduation arranged for Friedrich to work under Jöns Jakob Berzelius in Stockholm. He taught chemistry from
1825 to 1831 at the Polytechnic School in Berlin and then from 1831 to 1836 he was stationed at the Higher Polytechnic School at Cassel. Finally, he became a
Professor of Chemistry in the University of Göttingen, where he remained till his death in 1882.
Wöhler is regarded as one of the most influential pioneers in organic chemistry due to his (accidental) synthesizing of urea. Until 1828, it was believed that organic substances could only be formed under the influence of a transcendent "life force" within animals and plants. Friedrich proved with his artificial preparation of urea from inorganic materials that this theory was false. Due to his urea synthesis project, Wöhler became a professor of Chemistry at the age of 28. Two years later, in 1830, Wöhler published, jointly with Justus von Liebig, the results of research on cyanic acid along with the urea process. Jöns Berzelius, in his report to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, called it the most important of all researches in physics, chemistry, and mineralogy published in that year.
Wöhler was also the co-discoverer (along with von Liebig) of beryllium and silicon, as well as the synthesis of calcium carbide, among others. In 1834, Wöhler and von Liebig published an investigation of the oil of bitter almonds. They proved by their experiments that a group of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms can behave like an element, take the place of an element, and can be exchanged for elements in chemical compounds. Thus the foundation was laid of the doctrine of compound radicals, a doctrine which had a profound influence on the development of Chemistry. The pair also carried out early investigations of alkaloids, which include such familiar compounds as caffeine, nicotine, and morphine.
Since the discovery of potassium by Humphry Davy, it had been assumed that alumina, the basis of clay, contained a metal in combination with oxygen. Davy, Hans Oerstedt, and Berzelius attempted to extract this elusive metal, with failed results. However, when Wöhler decided to explore this theory as well, he managed to discover the metal that in modern times has become so commonplace: aluminum. Through his research with meteorites, Friedrich was able to isolate the elements yttrium, beryllium, and titanium, observed that silicon can be obtained from crystals, and that some meteoric stones do contain organic matter. In fact, he analyzed a number of meteorites due to possessing the best private collection of meteoric stones and irons at the time, and for many years wrote a digest in the Jahresbericht der Chemie about them. Wöhler & Sainte Claire Deville discovered the crystalline form of boron, and later Wöhler & H. Buff observed the hydrogen compounds and lower oxide of silicon.
In his later years, Wöhler made, among other chemical discoveries, obtaining the purist state of nickel, and with two friends he founded a factory there for the preparation of the metal.
In commemoration of this astonishing contributor to the evolution of science, we have forged this line of timepieces. Mechanical and automatic movements with their own intricate designs and precious materials of their own have been presented within a framework of elements such as ceramic, tungsten, titanium, and aluminum. From a modest 3-hand design to the most elaborate chronograph, the true beauty of Wohler watches stems from the cutting edge portraits they provide for your wrist.