Chronometer is what kind of mechanism, or Accuracy is the courtesy of kings

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Every person lacks something. Money to one, attention and love to another, he alth to the third. But what everyone definitely lacks is time. That is why people have always dreamed of inventing a device with which they can accurately calculate time in order to manage it rationally.

However, most early watches were very unreliable and dependent on environmental conditions. But one day an ultra-precise device for measuring time was invented - a chronometer. This amazing invention, oddly enough, influenced not only the lives of ordinary people. First of all, the invention of this device helped sailors to better navigate the high seas.

Chronometer - what is it?

The word "chronometer" itself comes from a combination of two Greek words: "time" (chronos) and "measure" (meter).

From the very name of the device it becomes clear that its purpose is to measure time. In other words,a chronometer is a watch, however, very reliable, capable of continuing to work in any conditions, both in frost and in tropical heat.

History of chronometers

Chronometers were not the first mechanical watches. However, watch mechanisms before them were very fragile and easily broke under adverse external conditions. What's more, even under normal circumstances, the clock began to "lie" over time.

But everything changed in 1731, when a British watchmaker named Garrison invented the chronometer. This invention became very important for the development of maritime affairs. Since Garrison's device continued to show absolutely accurate time in any conditions, this helped the crew determine the longitude, and then the coordinates of the ship's location.

Despite its high cost, the chronometer has become quite often used on ships, and with the development of aeronautics and on airplanes.

It is noteworthy that Harrison's design was so perfect that over the years it has hardly changed. The only thing is that some materials of the chronometer were replaced with more modern, light and durable ones.

Marine Chronometer

Harrison's invention (before being superseded in the twentieth century by the simpler, cheaper quartz-resonator-stabilized marine clocks and GPS) was the most reliable way for sailors to determine their position.

As a rule, all marine chronometers had an identical standard design. In a special (most often wooden)case was placed clockwork. Thanks to the design of the case, it kept the chronometer in a horizontal position in any situation. The case protected the watch mechanism from exposure to temperature changes, as well as changing the position of the device.

Chronometers in wristwatches

With the invention of ultra-precise clocks, many individuals began to dream of having the same in their homes. On the basis of Harrison's invention, at first they began to make wall and table ultra-precise clocks for the home. A little later, technology made it possible to reduce the mechanism and create wrist chronometers, so necessary for busy people, for whom every second is worth its weight in gold.

Decades have passed since the introduction of chronometer-accurate wristwatches. And today every self-respecting watch company has models with a chronometer in its line. Despite this, the most accurate and high quality, of course, is the Swiss chronometer.

Moreover, it is in Switzerland that they check watch movements from all over the world that claim to be chronometers. A specialized quality standard ISO 3159-1976 has also been developed for such watches.

How do I know if my watch has a chronometer?

Everyone dreams of having a very accurate watch. And although most wrist accessories for measuring time indicate whether the watch has a chronometer, there are exceptions. Therefore, you can independently check its presence or absence in your own accessory.

For verificationit is necessary to make sure that there is a fresh battery in the watch or how long it has been wound up so as not to disturb the purity of the experiment. Next, you need to set the exact time. After that, the clock must be moved to the position of the dial down and left in this form for twenty-four hours. After the expiration of the period, it is required to turn the clock face up and leave for another twenty-four hours. Now you can check with real time. If in two days of a non-standard position the watch began to “lie” by only +/- 8-12 seconds - this is a chronometer. Larger values are regular hours.

You can try doing a home check in other ways. For example, hang a clock on the wall - twenty-four hours in the usual position and the same amount vice versa. You can also check temperatures. However, it should be borne in mind that the watch should not be cooled for a long time by less than eight degrees above zero and more than twenty-five degrees.

Chronometer vs Chronograph: What's the difference?

Speaking of wrist watches, many people often confuse such similar concepts as chronograph and chronometer. And although the words are very similar, they have completely different meanings.

If a chronometer is a watch with a special movement design that allows you to accurately show the time under any conditions, then a chronograph is a tiny additional dials in watches with autonomous movements. Sometimes chronographs show a separate time or are designed for the second hand.

More than two hundred and fifty years have passed since the invention of the chronometer. Since then he is no longerpopular in maritime affairs, especially with the invention of GPS navigation. However, its incredible accuracy still remains unchanged. Therefore, many still dream of having a Swiss watch with a chronometer and always know the time absolutely exactly.