Empire type world clock for indicating time around the globe

Empire type world clock for indicating time around the globe

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'Empire' type world clock for indicating the time around the globe at various longitudes with accessories, French, 1909. Patented by Etienne de Gounevitch and Armand Gustave Couailett (British patent No. 23, 449, 1909).

This clock is designed in the form of a globe, and driven by a clockwork motor to make a full rotation from west to east every 24 hours. By following longitudinal lines, it is possible to tell the time at any given point on the globe. A brass ball can be attached to indicate the sun. It was called an Empire clock because it enabled the time in all the countries of the British Empire to be checked at a glance.

Details

Category:
Time Measurement
Object Number:
1909-199
Materials:
brass (copper, zinc alloy), metal (unknown) and paper (fibre product)
Measurements:
overall: 400 mm x 200 mm diameter, 2.9 kg
type:
terrestrial globe
credit:
Purchased from J. MacMichael

Parts

Empire type world clock for indicating time around the globe

Empire type world clock for indicating time around the globe

'Empire' type world clock for indicating the time around the globe at various longitudes with accessories, unknown maker, France, 1909. Patented by Etienne de Gounevitch and Armand Gustave Couailett (British patent No. 23, 449, 1909), with brass winding key.

More

'Empire' type world clock for indicating the time around the globe at various longitudes with accessories, France, 1909. Patented by Etienne de Gounevitch and Armand Gustave Couailett (British patent No. 23, 449, 1909).

This clock is designed in the form of a globe, and driven by a clockwork motor to make a full rotation from west to east every 24 hours. By following longitudinal lines, it is possible to tell the time at any given point on the globe. A brass ball can be attached to indicate the sun. It was called an Empire clock because it enabled the time in all the countries of the British Empire to be checked at a glance.

Measurements:
overall: 400 mm x 200 mm diameter, 2.9 kg
Materials:
metal (unknown) , brass (copper, zinc alloy) and paper (fibre product)
Object Number:
1909-199 Pt1
type:
terrestrial globe
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
parts for "Empire" clock, 1909

parts for "Empire" clock, 1909

Parts for the "Empire" clock, to show the time at various longitudes including various screws, France, 1909

Object Number:
1909-199 Pt2
type:
component - object
Timepiece components from 'Empire' clock, 1909

Timepiece components from 'Empire' clock, 1909

Brass ball and curved rod sun arm and cursor fretwork band, both accessory components from 'Empire' type world clock for indicating the time around the globe (see note), unknown maker, France, 1909. These parts are attached to main clock.

More

Brass ball and curved rod sun arm and cursor fretwork band, both accessory components from 'Empire' type world clock for indicating the time around the globe, unknown maker, France, 1909.

This clock is designed in the form of a globe, and driven by a clockwork motor to make a full rotation from west to east every 24 hours. By following longitudinal lines, it is possible to tell the time at any given point on the globe. A brass ball can be attached to indicate the sun. It was called an Empire clock because it enabled the time in all the countries of the British Empire to be checked at a glance.

Materials:
brass (copper, zinc alloy)
Object Number:
1909-199 Pt3
type:
component - object and timepiece
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum