PLATFORM/DIDEROT Denis, GOUSSIER Louis-Jacques, BÉNARD Robert Pendule d’Equation De Le Bon (1765)
PLATFORM/DIDEROT Denis, GOUSSIER Louis-Jacques, BÉNARD Robert Pendule d’Equation De Le Bon (1765)
240205
An equation clock is a sophisticated type of pendulum clock designed to indicate solar time with higher accuracy than ordinary clocks. It incorporates a complex mechanism to compensate for the difference between real solar time and mean time. Solar time varies throughout the year due to the Earth’s orbital eccentricity and the tilt of its axis relative to the plane of its orbit. These variations are known as the equation of time.
Equation clocks were most popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, before standardized time became the norm. The equation mechanism can be quite complex, as it needs to adjust the movement of the pendulum or the time display to reflect the daily variations of the equation of time, which can be up to plus or minus 16 minutes from mean time.
Equation clocks represent a pinnacle of clockmaking art in terms of precision and mechanical complexity. They have become prized collectibles and outstanding examples of the clockmaking craft of their time.
An equation clock is a sophisticated type of pendulum clock designed to indicate solar time with higher accuracy than ordinary clocks. It incorporates a complex mechanism to compensate for the difference between real solar time and mean time. Solar time varies throughout the year due to the Earth’s orbital eccentricity and the tilt of its axis relative to the plane of its orbit. These variations are known as the equation of time.
Equation clocks were most popular in the 17th and 18th centuries, before standardized time became the norm. The equation mechanism can be quite complex, as it needs to adjust the movement of the pendulum or the time display to reflect the daily variations of the equation of time, which can be up to plus or minus 16 minutes from mean time.
Equation clocks represent a pinnacle of clockmaking art in terms of precision and mechanical complexity. They have become prized collectibles and outstanding examples of the clockmaking craft of their time.
