NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: mechanical chronometers
From: Geoffrey Kolbe
Date: 2006 May 15, 00:21 -0500
I recently had my Ulysses Nardin (made in 1920) chronometer cleaned and
serviced. That is where you will run into your major problem in keeping
your "beautiful mechanical device
in good running condition" - finding someone who can clean and service it.
It must be understood that a chronometer is not a "clock". Ordinary clock
repairers are not qualified to work on chronometers, which require very
special knowledge to keep them working reliably. In the United Kingdom, the
number of people to whom I would entrust my chronometer could probably be
counted on the fingers of one hand, and there would still be some fingers
left over! They are all old men now, and I do not look forward with any
confidence that any of them will still be active the next time my
chronometer needs a clean.
Interestingly, the man who cleaned my chronometer has a Poljot 6MX. He has
a house full of chronometers - some very old - all ticking away, but the
Poljot was cheap and so he bought it. He had taken it apart and re-built it
(of course), but his opinion of it was, "not bad", considering they are not
made to be used for their original purpose, but rather as working
ornaments. The Poljot he had rebuilt was working very well and he was very
pleased with it.
The Hamilton chronometers, made in the United States, are the apogee in
chronometer manufacture. They are the best designed and most accurate. They
are also designed to be taken apart and serviced by a non expert and their
manual gave full instructions on how clean, repair and service them. The
Hamilton chronometer was derived from the Ulysses Nardin of the type which
I have. Indeed, my chronometer came from the United States.
Geoffrey Kolbe
At 05:12 15/05/2006, you wrote:
>As part of my plan to immerse myself in the time of kepler, newton
>with respect to navigation and other things. I have been researching
>mechanical watches and chronometers. The only manufacturer of
>mechanical timepieces suitable for navigation is Russian the poljot 6mx
>
>At 1500.00 us dollars the price does not seem out of line. What I am
>concerned about though is either learning to maintain the device or finding
>someone who can.
>
>I know quartz, electronic watches are dirt cheap and more accurate
>but it is outside the parameters of the game. After all I can just
>turn on the gps and make all these subtleties go away.
>
>Anyone have direct experience with the 6mx and what effort or costs would
>be involved in keeping such a beautiful mechanical device
>in good running condition?
>
>
>
>
>
Border Barrels Ltd, Newcastleton, TD9 0SN, UK
Tel: +44 (0)13873 76253 Fax: +44 (0)13873 76214
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
To post to this group, send email to NavList@fer3.com
To , send email to NavList-@fer3.com
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
From: Geoffrey Kolbe
Date: 2006 May 15, 00:21 -0500
I recently had my Ulysses Nardin (made in 1920) chronometer cleaned and
serviced. That is where you will run into your major problem in keeping
your "beautiful mechanical device
in good running condition" - finding someone who can clean and service it.
It must be understood that a chronometer is not a "clock". Ordinary clock
repairers are not qualified to work on chronometers, which require very
special knowledge to keep them working reliably. In the United Kingdom, the
number of people to whom I would entrust my chronometer could probably be
counted on the fingers of one hand, and there would still be some fingers
left over! They are all old men now, and I do not look forward with any
confidence that any of them will still be active the next time my
chronometer needs a clean.
Interestingly, the man who cleaned my chronometer has a Poljot 6MX. He has
a house full of chronometers - some very old - all ticking away, but the
Poljot was cheap and so he bought it. He had taken it apart and re-built it
(of course), but his opinion of it was, "not bad", considering they are not
made to be used for their original purpose, but rather as working
ornaments. The Poljot he had rebuilt was working very well and he was very
pleased with it.
The Hamilton chronometers, made in the United States, are the apogee in
chronometer manufacture. They are the best designed and most accurate. They
are also designed to be taken apart and serviced by a non expert and their
manual gave full instructions on how clean, repair and service them. The
Hamilton chronometer was derived from the Ulysses Nardin of the type which
I have. Indeed, my chronometer came from the United States.
Geoffrey Kolbe
At 05:12 15/05/2006, you wrote:
>As part of my plan to immerse myself in the time of kepler, newton
>with respect to navigation and other things. I have been researching
>mechanical watches and chronometers. The only manufacturer of
>mechanical timepieces suitable for navigation is Russian the poljot 6mx
>
>At 1500.00 us dollars the price does not seem out of line. What I am
>concerned about though is either learning to maintain the device or finding
>someone who can.
>
>I know quartz, electronic watches are dirt cheap and more accurate
>but it is outside the parameters of the game. After all I can just
>turn on the gps and make all these subtleties go away.
>
>Anyone have direct experience with the 6mx and what effort or costs would
>be involved in keeping such a beautiful mechanical device
>in good running condition?
>
>
>
>
>
Border Barrels Ltd, Newcastleton, TD9 0SN, UK
Tel: +44 (0)13873 76253 Fax: +44 (0)13873 76214
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
To post to this group, send email to NavList@fer3.com
To , send email to NavList-@fer3.com
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
