Dear customer. On this site we would like to give you a short overview about technical details and history of our clocks.

First some historical information about our ship´s bell clock. The origins of the bell clock goes back as far as the sand clock in the 14th century. The sand clock, or sand glass, was used for measuring short periods of time, especially in the pulpit and on board ships, where it was absolutely essential for daily routine. Sand clocks were used as early as 1492. Columbus used them during his voyages for navigational purposes and for organizing the crew into shifts. The records of these voyages indicate that each shift involved a period of duty lasting for four hours, exactly the same period that is still used today. Each half hour of every shift was measured by a half hour sand clock, a fact, which is still the basis for bell strike clocks today. The sand clock stood beside the the helmsman at the wheel, who gave the crew an audible signal everytime an half an hour had elapsed, by striking the ship´s bell. The bell was struck once for the first half hour, for the second half hour you hear a double strike. One shift lasts 4 hours, starting at 12 - 4 - 8 am or pm, and at the end of a shift you hear 4 double strikes.For hundreds of years the sand clock "punctuated" the rhythm of life on board and it was only replaced by the development of the pocket watch and the chronometer.The first mechanical bell clock was produced in America in the 19th century, however the working principle of the clock has remained unchanged right up to the present day.

The name barometer comes from the greek, meaning "measurer of weight or pressure". The first barometer was invented by Torricelli in 1643 and indicated changes in atmospheric pressure by virtue of a fluctuation column of mercury. In 1847 Vidie developed the aneroid barometer, which is still in use today. It is an enclosed box with a flexible bottom, which registers even the slightest changes in atmospheric pressure. The top and the bottom of the box are held apart by a spring. Whenever atmospheric pressure increases, pressure is exerted on the box and, consequently, the spring. The degree of pressure is transmitted to an indicator needle. Rises and falls provide a reliable indication of approaching changes in the weather within the next 24 hours. The unit of measurement today is - hecto pascal - abbrieviated hPa, which can be compared to millibar (mb).

Thermometers are designed to measure heat, i.e. to register temperature. The thermometer used in our instruments is a reliable bimetallic type. A bimetallic spring or strip reacts to changes in temperature by bending or curling. This type of thermometer is particularly robust and resistant to shock and impact. Adjustment is not necessary.

A hygrometer measures the relative humidity of the surrounding air. It was invented in 1783 by Saussure, who discovered, that a human hair will shorten as atmospheric moisture decreases. This process is transmitted to an indicator needle and can be read from the scale. Today this is achieved by using coils made from hygroscopical material. The hygometer has to be readjusted 4 times a year. To do so, wrap the hygrometer into a damp cloth and leave it in there for about 30 minutes. After this time the hygrometer should show 95 % humidity. If not, turn the screw so that the needle is moving to 95 %. The hygrometer is now adjusted. This works with every hygrometer.

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