Time Vectors

Significance A "Lectromarin" Schatz ship's clock with a tuning fork mechanism c1960s. Tuning fork clocks were made in a brief period in the 1960s after transistors were developed but superseded by more accurate and simpler quartz clocks. No bell, which is unusual for a ship's clock, presumably too complicated with this mechanism, as with the battery balance-wheel clocks. Rare, as few were made but not particularly valuable. The term "Lectromarin" was used for both tuning fork and battery balance wheel clocks by Schatz. Discussion The look of a traditional ship's clock but no bell for the ship's watch. Tuning forks were used in desk, wall and ship's clocks, as well as in wristwatches. Accurate, battery-operated but delicate and a little noisy with an audible hum. From eBay USA. The face of the clock with a tuning fork symbol. The tuning fork mechanism by Schartz. The green and red coils keep the tuning fork oscillating.

Significance A rather rare, but probably not very valuable, Hermle Ship's Clock with a quartz movement and a mechanical bell, c1970s. In the 1970s many manufacturers moved from mechanical movements to quartz battery mechanisms following the general trend in the clock industry. In this case, the movement is quartz but the bell mechanical, operated by a small electric motor, for an authentic bell sound. Subsequent quartz movements have a loudspeaker and recorded bell sound as digital electronics improved. However, being a traditional ship's clock case, the older style eight-day mechanical movements proved resilient and popular, with sales continuing to the present day. Relatively few clocks with this mechanism were produced as it is a transitory development. Discussion Fairly large and heavy: 175 x 100 mm. Wall mount or on detachable mantle mount. The current cost of new key-wound clocks: ~US$800, Quartz-speaker: ~$500. Mine from eBay USA. Strike sequence: Four-hour ship&#

Significance Finally, a Jaeger Le Coultre Atmos Swiss Clock I could afford. As I collect mainly by technology, an Atmos clock is essential to a collection as they are unique, requiring no winding or batteries. Plus they are a very pretty brass and glass skeleton clock! Almost perpetual-motion, they are powered by daily oscillations of atmospheric temperature. The motor consists of bellows containing ethyl chloride which changes pressure with the temperature which winds the mainspring. The 17 jewel movement is high precision and very low energy; far less than a mechanical watch, much less a conventional mechanical clock. Description The first commercial Atmos clock was developed by Jean Leon Reutter in 1928 although earlier attempts go back to 1740. The first Jaeger Le Coultre Atmos used a mercury and ammonia mechanism until 1938 before the current ethyl chloride mechanism was developed. About 500,000 have been made and are in current production. New, they start at about US$7000 fo

Significance A reproduction antique skeleton great-wheel fusee clock by the Hebei Yuxuan Classical Clock Company of China. Hebei Yuxuan specialises in the accurate reproduction of antique clocks, currently producing about 400 different models and employing 300 people. Often dismissed as a "deceptive, cheap Asian copy", the company itself is quite clear on its purpose, high-quality reproductions and in the style of antique clocks. It seems to be more a problem of resellers purporting to be selling originals or the work of local, western artisan clockmakers. The clock seems to be high-quality work, in the style of French great-wheel, skeleton, fusee clocks popular in the mid-1800s. The clock seems capable of accurate timekeeping given five jewels, a fusee and the great wheel to reduce friction. Further, it is very attractive with a gold-plated finish in glass and polished timber case. Discussion Few collectors can afford popular original antique clocks such a

Significance A Seth Thomas Ship's Bell Clock with a stand c1910. A functional clock, not domestic, used on ships and yachts for general timekeeping, usually on a wall, secured top and bottom. Apparently quite rare as few survive marine service. The strike pattern is for the ship's watch. Used on military and merchant vessels. It is claimed that a Seth Thomas clock was recovered from the wreck of the USS MAINE 1895 and presented to Franklin Delano Roosevelt when he was (Assistant) Secretary of the Navy 1913-1919. Description A balance wheel and lever escapement, presumably reasonably accurate given its purpose. "Ship's Bells struck through the double strike system mark off the series of four hour watches that make up the sailor's day. Each four hour watch is divided into half hour periods tolled from one through eight bells. When the chiming gets out of sequence the clock has a "Lever" that makes it easier to coordinate the chime sequence with the

Significance A Hammond electric wall clock made in Australia for 240 V 50 Hz c1940s. Hammond began making synchronous electric clocks in Chicago USA in 1928 based on the success of the Warren master clocks used in power generators and Telechron synchronous electric domestic clocks. Hammond went on to invent an electric organ that bears his name. Hammond clocks were not self-starting and needed a twist of a knob to start but stopped when the power was interrupted. Telechron clocks were self-starting but had an indicator if the power was interrupted. This Hammond clock was made in Australia, the first clock I have to be made here. Being synchronous clocks, the movement needed to suit the local power supply, 240 V 50 Hz in Australia. The clock seems to have come from the notorious Wilson Youth Hospital (1961-83), then Sir Leslie Wilson Youth Centre (1983-93), Sir Leslie Wilson Youth Detention Centre (1993-2001). Description A 300 mm dial, wall clock with a white bakelite surr

Significance A small brass desk clock "The GNAT" 30-hour 50 mm by BUCC, the British United Clock Company 1890s. BUCC traded from 1885 to 1909 in Birmingham and was as one of the first British manufacturers to use mass production technology; based on English founder's experience working in the USA at Ansonia clocks. BUCC was producing 500 clocks per day in the mid-1890s from a substantial factory; photo below. BUCC is documented at length in a book produced for the British Museum: "Clockmaking in England and Wales in the Twentieth Century: The Industrialized Manufacture of Domestic Mechanical Clocks", John Glanville and William M. Wolmuth 2015, available on Scribd. Description A small compact desk clock all in brass. A balance wheel with a lever escapement. Porcelain dial. The clock was mass produced and advertised to the trade. There is a tiny trademark on the dial, just above the 6. The clock was not running when received and was quite dirty inside, in