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Re: Speaking of time service

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On 09/10/20 21:05, JimP wrote:
> On Thu, 10 Sep 2020 11:52:12 -0700 (PDT), hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:
>> On Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 2:24:48 PM UTC-4, Chris wrote:
>>
>>> The IBM clocks, with a Graham escapement, were quite accurate
>>> to start. There were several models, but the standard model
>>> was rated at 15 seconds / month, electrically wound spring,
>>> and a more accurate weight driven model at 10 secs / month.
>>> I rebuilt one of the standard models and got it rated to better
>>> than 20 seconds in 3 months. Bit more effort may have done
>>> even better. Not bad for a purely mechanical design...
>>
>> Better than my Casio watch.
>>
>> The care and feeding of old time mechanical devices amazes
>> me.  For instance there used to be a popular railroad
>> worker watch, Hamilton.  Supposedly very durable and
>> accurate. Expensive to buy Yet periodically they needed
>> inspection and service by a trained watchmaker (railroads had
>> such men on the payroll for that reason).

The IBM master clocks were a work of art. Internal mechanism had 3-4 mm
brass plates for the main frame and parts were gold plated to resist
corrosion. Don't know when the name changed, but the uk side of
the business was originally called International Time Recorders, with
dials of that name. At some stage, they were bought out by IBM and
the dial logo changed to IBM, possible late 30's, mid 40's. I wanted an
IBM model as a nod to history, IBM made clocks as well, right ?. Mine
needs another strip down, as the escapement wheel is not even, though
it does regulate well. Dare not buy any more clocks, as even one can
become something of an obsession in rating terms :-).

IBM have a clock page here:

https://www.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/cc/cc_room.html

Mine looks most like a model 15, with the spidery hands and
slightly surreal dial numbers.

>>
>> My cheap electronic watches only need a battery
>> periodically. Generally keep very good time.
>
> We had mechanical clocks aboard ship. Once a week one of the
> quartermasters, not supply but kept the ship's log and wound these
> chronometers, would stop by our office and check the time on it.
>
> He had a mechanical pocket watch, he told me it was also a
> chronometer. The Executive Officer and the head quartermaster would
> take noon sightings of the sun and adjust that pocket chronometer once
> a week.
>

Now that is a skill in itself. Wouldn't know where to start with that...

Chris

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Speaking of time service hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com - 2020-09-10 11:09 -0700
  Re: Speaking of time service Chris <xxx.syseng.yyy@gfsys.co.uk> - 2020-09-10 19:24 +0100
    Re: Speaking of time service hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com - 2020-09-10 11:52 -0700
      Re: Speaking of time service JimP <chucktheouch@gmail.com> - 2020-09-10 15:05 -0500
        Re: Speaking of time service Chris <xxx.syseng.yyy@gfsys.co.uk> - 2020-09-10 23:29 +0100
          Re: Speaking of time service gareth evans <headstone255@yahoo.com> - 2020-09-11 19:18 +0100
          Re: Speaking of time service hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com - 2020-09-11 11:42 -0700
            Re: Speaking of time service JimP <chucktheouch@gmail.com> - 2020-09-11 15:24 -0500
        Re: Speaking of time service Peter Flass <peter_flass@yahoo.com> - 2020-09-10 16:12 -0700
          Re: Speaking of time service J. Clarke <jclarke.873638@gmail.com> - 2020-09-10 19:40 -0400
            Re: Speaking of time service JimP <chucktheouch@gmail.com> - 2020-09-11 09:14 -0500
          Re: Speaking of time service JimP <chucktheouch@gmail.com> - 2020-09-11 09:10 -0500
        Re: Speaking of time service hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com - 2020-09-11 11:45 -0700
        Re: Speaking of time service usenet@only.tnx (Questor) - 2020-09-11 19:10 +0000
          Re: Speaking of time service JimP <chucktheouch@gmail.com> - 2020-09-11 15:26 -0500
            Re: Speaking of time service Peter Flass <peter_flass@yahoo.com> - 2020-09-11 16:21 -0700
            Re: Speaking of time service maus <maus@dmaus.org> - 2020-09-12 12:36 +0000
      Re: Speaking of time service Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2020-09-10 23:34 +0000

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