Horological Meandering

Mus é e international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds. – Part 5

Now we are moving to the chronometers and precision pendulum clocks.

Number 10: Chronometer cased in chromed metal. Anker escapement, singed Technicum La-Chaux-de-Fonds, around 1940

Number 11: Chronometer cased in silvered metal. Detent escapment (not sure if this is the right translation, in French it says "détente pivotée" – can anybody confirm or correct me here?)

Breguet Marine Chronometer, sold to the Minister of the French Royal Marine  in 1820. On the right side of the dial there is a sector graduated from 0 to 8 indicating the power reserve in days.

Ulysse Nardin Chronometer, around 1957. This chronometer is equipped with an auxiliary electrical contact system, designed to transmit the beat of the seconds to a loud speaker or a measuring device.

Now we are moving to the other side of the exhibition hall. There is wall with precision pendulum clocks, many of them incorporating interesting technical solutions.

Precision regulator with electric winding system. Zenith, Le Locle, around 1940. The weight is raised by means of a Ferraris motor. The indication of the second is assured by an optical system without mechanical contact, which allows the pendulum to be free.

I didn't take any notes about this clock, but it features electrical contacts and an interesting visible escapement. I can't determine what the correct description of the escapement is and would be grateful for any comments.

Time station of the town of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Matthias Hipp, Neuchatel, circa 1876. This mechanical clock controls via electrical contacts a network of public clocks which were  placed around the town.

End of Part 5

Stay tuned … more to come during the course of the next few days …