Chronometer - this is what the mechanism, or accuracy - the politeness of kings

Every person is missing something. One money, another attention and love, the third health. But what is lacking is unambiguous for everyone - it's time. That's why people have always dreamed of inventing an instrument with which they can accurately count the time to rationally dispose of it.

However, most of the first hours were very unreliable and depended on environmental conditions. But once an ultra-precise instrument for measuring time - the chronometer - was invented. This amazing invention, strangely enough, affected not only the lives of ordinary people. First of all, the invention of this device helped seafarers better navigate the high seas.

A chronometer is what?

The very word "chronometer" came 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, the chronometer is a watch, however very reliable, capable of continuing to work in all conditions, both in frost and in the tropical heat.

History of the appearance of chronometers

Chronometers were not the first mechanical clock. However, the watch movements before them were very fragile and easily broken under unfavorable external conditions. Moreover, even in normal circumstances, watches began to "lie" with time.

But everything changed in 1731, when a British watchmaker named Harrison invented a chronometer. This invention has become very important for the development of the marine business. Since Harrison's instrument continued to show absolutely precise time in any conditions, it helped the crew to determine the longitude, and then the coordinates of finding the vessel.

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 the design of Harrison was so perfect that over the years there has been little change. The only thing is that some chronometer materials were replaced with more modern, lightweight and durable ones.

Marine chronometer

The invention of Harrison (before it in the twentieth century began to supplant a simpler and cheaper sea watch with stabilization of the stroke using quartz resonators, as well as GPS) was the most reliable means for seamen so that they could determine their location.

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

Chronometers in wrist watches

With the invention of ultra-precise watches many private individuals began to dream of having the same at home. Based on the invention of Harrison first began to make wall and desktop high-precision watches for the home. A little later, the technology allowed to reduce the mechanism and create wrist chronometers, so necessary for busy people, for which every second is worth its weight in gold.

A few decades have passed since the wristwatch appeared with the accuracy of the chronometer. And today, every self-respecting watch watch company has in its line of models with a chronometer. Despite this, the most accurate and qualitative, of course, is the Swiss chronometer.

Moreover, it is in Switzerland that they are checking the watch movements from all over the world, claiming the title of chronometers. For such hours, a specialized quality standard ISO 3159-1976 has also been developed.

How do I know if I have a chronometer in my watch?

To have a very accurate clock everyone dreams. And although most wrist accessories for measuring time indicate whether there is a chronometer in a clock, there are exceptions. Therefore, you can check for its presence or absence in your own accessory.

To check, you need to make sure that there is a fresh battery in the clock or how long they have been turned on so as not to disturb the purity of the experiment. Next, you need to set the exact time. After that, the clock should be moved to the position of the dial face down and left in this form for twenty-four hours. After the expiry of the period, it is required to turn the clock face up and leave for another twenty-four hours. Now you can check with the real time. If for two days of non-standard position the watches began to "lie" only by +/- 8-12 seconds - this is a chronometer. For large values, the clock is normal.

You can try to conduct a home check in other ways. For example, hanging the clock on the wall - twenty-four hours in the usual position and as much the opposite. You can also check the temperature. However, it is worth considering that the clock should not be cooled for less than eight degrees above zero and more than twenty-five degrees for a long time.

Chronograph and chronograph: what's the difference?

Speaking of wristwatches, many often confuse such similar concepts as chronograph and chronometer. And although the words are very similar, their meaning is completely different.

If the chronometer is a watch with a special design of the mechanism that allows to accurately show the time under any conditions, the chronograph is tiny additional dials in a clock with autonomous mechanisms. Sometimes chronographs show an individual time or are designed for a second hand.

More than two hundred and fifty years have passed since then, a chronometer was invented. Since then, he is no longer so popular in the sea, especially with the invention of GPS navigation. However, his incredible accuracy remains unchanged. Therefore, many still dream to have a Swiss watch with a chronometer and always absolutely know the time.