Longcase Planetarium Clock

Mechanical clocks, even in the atomic age, continue to fascinate. Over a thirty-year period in the mid 20th century, Charles H. Harvey built one of the most complicated clocks ever made, electrically impulsed and controlled by a Synchronome type movement of Mr. Harvey’s design. In addition to its numerous complications, it is an elegant and attractive clock.

Its complications include:

Tide Indicator dial, with hand incorporating a small sailboat.

Moonrise dial, with hand dial incorporating a small crescent moon cutout.

An automaton painting, synchronized to the moon and tides. A three dimensional moon ball located at the top of the painting turns as the moon waxes and wanes throughout the month.

Day night alarm with manual setting arms.

Four time dials indicating time in New Zealand, North America, Australia and India.

Automatic Zodiac Indicator.

In the center is a large rotating Earth globe. Over the globe is a sun indicator that moves according to the Earth's declination. It varies from approximately 23½ degrees below the equator to 23½ degrees above the equator.

Equation of Time dial, showing the difference between time that is measured using a sundial (true or apparent solar time) and time that is measured using a clock (mean solar time).

The slave clock contains an orrery with multiple complications. The orrery depicts the movements of the Earth, Moon, Mercury and Venus. In addition, as the orrery rotates it points to the month and to the appropriate sign of the Zodiac. It makes a complete revolution in one year.

This is a spectacular piece - renewing the skill, romance and imagination of the great clockmakers of the past.