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| ATMOS
CLOCKS |
| World
exclusive clocks by Jaeger-LeCoultre SA, Switzerland |
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| The
clock that lives on air |
| Temperature
variations supply the energy that drives it. its balance wheel
will move as long as there is a sun in the sky. |
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Basic
Information
In 1928,
a Neuchatel engineer called Jean-Leon Reutter built a clock
driven quite literally by air. But It took the Jaeger-LeCoultre
workshop a few more years to convert this idea into a technical
form that could be patented. And to perfect it to
such a degree that the Atmos practically achieved perpectual
motion. In 1936, the Manufacture began production of
the Atmos.
The technical principle is a beguiling one: inside a hermetically
sealed capsule is a mixture of gas and liquid (ethyl chloride)
which expands as the temperature rises and contracts as
it falls, making the capsule move like a concertina. This
motion constantly winds the mainspring, a variation in temperature
of only one degree in the range between 15 and 30 degrees
centigrade being sufficient for two days' operation. |
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To
convert this small amount of energy into motion, everything
inside the Atmos, naturally has to work as smoothly and
quietly as possible. The balance, for example, executes
only two torsional oscillations per minute, which is 150
times slower than the pendulum in a conventional clock. So
it's not surprising that 60 million Atmos clocks together
consume no more energy than one 15-watt light bulb. |
| The Atmos Building |
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All its other parts,
too, are not only of the highest precision, but also practically
wear-free. An Atmos can therefore expect to enjoy
a service life of a good 600 years, although with today's
air pollution we regrettably have to recommend a thorough
cleaning every 20 years or so.
Admirers of advanced
technology, however, aren't the only ones who get their
money's worth. Connoisseurs of elegant forms, precious
materials and traditional craftmanship, do so as well. Because
every Atmos is still made entirely by hand; and with some
models a single clock takes a whole month to produce. Not
counting the five weeks of trial and adjustment that every
Atmos has to undergo. Only then, are the Jaeger-LeCoultre
master watchmakers happy enough with the state of things
to confirm it with a signature and allow another Atmos
to leave the workshop. After which, many end up in
the very best homes, because for decades now the world's
most celebrated watch-making country has been presenting
its distinguised guests with this masterpiece of Swiss
artistry.
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The
Atmos has had the honour to be associated with great statemen,
royalty, and other renowned people including John F. Kennedy,
Sir Winston Churchill, General Charles DeGaulle, and Charlie
Chaplin. |
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| Atmos Regulateur |
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Figure
1
1. Expansion
Chamber
2. Brass Cover
3. Spiral Spring (Counterweight)
4. Chain
5. Mainspring
6. Pulley
7. Small Spring
8. Balance Wheel
9. Elinvar Wire
10. Escapement
11. Winding Spring
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Figure
2
When
the temperature rises, a mixture of gas and liquid expands
in the Expansion Chamber (1), which then compresses a
spiral spring (3).
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Figure
3
With
a fall in temperature, the gas condenses and the spring
slackens.This tiny back-and-forth motion is sufficient
to wind up the ATMOS.
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An
empty gas chamber being filled |
As
the gas chamber contracted and expanded, it powered
the spring demonstrated here |
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This
is how the balance is suspended |
The
whole balance, suspended by this thin wire |
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Link
to current range of Atmos clocks from Jaeger-LeCoultre
SA
Link
to my clock collection.
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