
Found via Watchismo- a portable compass watch from the late 16th century. Here is the scoop from Watchismo.
Portable watches had only been around a few decades when this multi-function timepiece was built in southern Germany circa 1590.
Consisting of a round powder flask made of rosewood with inlaid and engraved rosette-shaped ornaments of brass and bone. A small clock with 1-12 hours twice situated on the outer ring. The small funnel of bone is closed with a springy lid made of brass. Below the center under the engraved lid with a transversally placed hinge, there is a horizontal sundial with indication of the hours from six o’clock in the morning to six o’clock in the evening. A small compass with north-south indication but without correction for the magnetic pole. The string gnomon is stretched by opening the lid and is only valid for one latitude. On the side of the flask, there is an opening to a funnel-shaped small pipe which is placed in the socket and allows for filling up the powder flask. Diameter 10.8cm
Just found your site, it’s lovely. I recently went to the Clock Museum in Vienna, thought you might enjoy the flickr site.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/curiousexpeditions/sets/72157600192489765/
and wrote about it here
http://www.curiousexpeditions.org/2007/05/clock_of_the_long_yesterday.html
Great site, keep up the good work.
Thanks D, definately worth looling into.
ok?
??????????