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Books > Professional & Technical > Industrial chemistry & manufacturing technologies > Other manufacturing technologies > Precision instruments manufacture > Clocks & chronometers

Practical Watch Repairing (Hardcover, 3rd ed.): Donald Carle Practical Watch Repairing (Hardcover, 3rd ed.)
Donald Carle
R570 Discovery Miles 5 700 Ships in 9 - 17 working days

Here is a unique book. It describes the theories and processes of repairing and adjusting the modern watch in precise and meticulous detail: a thing which has never been done so completely before in the many books on the same subject. As a text book it is a revelation. Taking nothing for granted, except the ability to read and comprehend a simple description of mechanical processes, de Carle takes his reader through every stage and every operation of watch repairing ...and to deal with them thoroughly is quite a programme - it takes 300 pages containing 24 chapters, two appendices and 553 illustrations. The fine draughtsmanship and accurate technical detail of the illustrations set a new standard. Practical Watch Repairing can justifiably claim to be the best illustrated book on practical horology yet issued, and one of the best of its kind on any subject. The publication of the book marks the beginning of a new epoch in the study of the mechanics of horology.

Industrial Development, Technology Transfer, and Global Competition - A history of the Japanese watch industry since 1850... Industrial Development, Technology Transfer, and Global Competition - A history of the Japanese watch industry since 1850 (Hardcover)
Pierre-Yves Donze
R4,924 Discovery Miles 49 240 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

The phenomena of Japan emerging as one of the most competitive industrial nations in the twentieth century and the general shift of competitiveness to East Asia since the 1980s have been widely studied by many scholars from different fields of the social sciences. Drawing on sources from Japanese, Swiss, and American archives, the historical analysis of this book tackles a wide range of actors and sheds light on the various processes that enabled Japanese watch companies to transfer technology and expand commercially starting in the second half of the nineteenth century. By exploring the case of the watch industry, this book serves to establish a better understanding of the origins of the competitiveness of Japanese manufacturing and its evolution until its decline in the post-bubble economy (in the 1990s and 2000s).

Horology: An Illustrated Primer on the History, Philosophy and Science of Time, with an Overview of the Wristwatch and the... Horology: An Illustrated Primer on the History, Philosophy and Science of Time, with an Overview of the Wristwatch and the Watch Industry (Hardcover)
Barry B. Kaplan
R1,099 R977 Discovery Miles 9 770 Save R122 (11%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

This beautifully illustrated volume presents an in-depth look at horology, the scientific study of time and timekeeping. Brimming with more than 150 detailed and full-color images, illustrations, charts, and technical drawings, it's a must-have for anyone interested in the art of watchmaking and watch design. But it's also much more. If you've ever wondered how watches work, or thought about how time influences our lives, then this book is also for you. It offers a comprehensive overview of watch styles, movements, complications, and parts, as well as the basics of starting and caring for a watch collection. A multifaceted study, it discusses the philosophy and measurement of time, the possibility of time travel, and the emergent smartwatch industry. A behind-the-scenes peek into the watch industry, plus pricing and market data, rounds out the contents. Readers will leave these pages with a newfound, renewed, or enhanced love of watchmaking, as well as an increased appreciation for the value of time.

The Mechanics of Mechanical Watches and Clocks (Hardcover, 2013 ed.): Ruxu Du, Longhan Xie The Mechanics of Mechanical Watches and Clocks (Hardcover, 2013 ed.)
Ruxu Du, Longhan Xie
R4,253 Discovery Miles 42 530 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

"The Mechanics of Mechanical Watches and Clocks" presents historical views and mathematical models of mechanical watches and clocks. Although now over six hundred years old, mechanical watches and clocks are still popular luxury items that fascinate many people around the world. However few have examined the theory of how they work as presented in this book. The illustrations and computer animations are unique and have never been published before.
It will be of significant interest to researchers in mechanical engineering, watchmakers and clockmakers, as well as people who have an engineering background and are interested in mechanical watches and clocks. It will also inspire people in other fields of science and technology, such as mechanical engineering and electronics engineering, to advance their designs.
Professor Ruxu Du works at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, China. Assistant Professor Longhan Xie works at the South China University of Technology, China.

The Magic of Watches - A Smart Introduction to Fine Watchmaking (Hardcover): Louis Nardin The Magic of Watches - A Smart Introduction to Fine Watchmaking (Hardcover)
Louis Nardin
R922 R742 Discovery Miles 7 420 Save R180 (20%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

For Neophytes - to learn the fundamentals, and appreciate the main features of a model, its qualities and weaknesses. For amateurs - to create the desire to know more about fine watches. For connoisseurs - to revise important concepts and even increase their knowledge. This new edition includes new illustrations. What is a beautiful watch? How do you make a good choice? The Magic of Watches explains how and why these little objects are so precious, fascinating and exciting. The book presents paradoxes: why a one-million-dollar watch might be less precise and more fragile than one that costs 15 dollars. It comes back to the origins of the measurement of time: how did we go from the water clock to the wristwatch? The book goes on to technique: how does a mechanical movement work? How does a quartz one work?; delves into details: what is a 'complication' and when do we speak about 'chronometer'?; showcases art: how do we enamel a dial? The Magic of Watches is unique: it focuses in detail on the basics in order to understand and love watches better.

The Style of Time - The Evolution of Wristwatch Design (Hardcover): Mara Cappelletti The Style of Time - The Evolution of Wristwatch Design (Hardcover)
Mara Cappelletti
R1,215 Discovery Miles 12 150 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

Time is a great mystery. A changeable element, which expands or vanishes, but that appears concrete as it is marked by the passing of seconds, minutes, hours, days, and years. The path toward the capture of minutes and seconds coincided with the phases of scientific evolution that allowed man to manufacture watches that are increasingly reliable, but that are also in tune with changes in customs, social needs, and aesthetic canons. This book covers the art of watch manufactory as well as 60 great models, covering both their technical evolution and style trends. In each chapter in-depth studies will guide the reader to the history of the most important manufacturers, the personalities linked to the models treated, technical innovations, styles of the period, or records achieved by the wristwatches: from the watch that helped Charles Lindbergh during the first transatlantic solo flight, to the one worn by Sir Edmund Hillary on the top of Mount Everest, the most iconic models will be discussed in detail.

Shaping the Day - A History of Timekeeping in England and Wales 1300-1800 (Hardcover): Paul Glennie, Nigel Thrift Shaping the Day - A History of Timekeeping in England and Wales 1300-1800 (Hardcover)
Paul Glennie, Nigel Thrift
R2,582 Discovery Miles 25 820 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

Timekeeping is an essential activity in the modern world, and we take it for granted that our lives our shaped by the hours of the day. Yet what seems so ordinary today is actually the extraordinary outcome of centuries of technical innovation and circulation of ideas about time.
Shaping the Day is a pathbreaking study of the practice of timekeeping in England and Wales between 1300 and 1800. Drawing on many unique historical sources, ranging from personal diaries to housekeeping manuals, Paul Glennie and Nigel Thrift illustrate how a particular kind of common sense about time came into being, and how it developed during this period.
Many remarkable figures make their appearance, ranging from the well-known, such as Edmund Halley, Samuel Pepys, and John Harrison, who solved the problem of longitude, to less familiar characters, including sailors, gamblers, and burglars.
Overturning many common perceptions of the past-for example, that clock time and the industrial revolution were intimately related-this unique historical study will engage all readers interested in how "telling the time" has come to dominate our way of life.

All in Good Time - Reflections of a Watchmaker (Hardcover, Revised edition): George Daniels All in Good Time - Reflections of a Watchmaker (Hardcover, Revised edition)
George Daniels
R856 Discovery Miles 8 560 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

All in Good Time is the remarkable story of George Daniels (1926-2011), the master craftsman, who was born into poverty but raised himself to become the greatest watchmaker of the twentieth century. Daniels stands alone in modern times as the inventor of the revolutionary co-axial escapement, the first substantial advance in portable mechanical timekeeping over the lever escapement, which has dominated ever since its invention in 1759. Daniels's love of mechanics embraced not only the minute, however - he was also a passionate collector and driver of historic motorcars. This revised and expanded edition of his autobiography also contains a new section that illustrates and discusses over thirty of the pocket and wrist-watches Daniels himself made over the years. Witness here the triumph of intelligence, ingenuity, matchless skill and singularity of purpose over the most unpromising of beginnings.

A Man and His Watch (Hardcover): Matthew Hranek A Man and His Watch (Hardcover)
Matthew Hranek 1
R958 R843 Discovery Miles 8 430 Save R115 (12%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

Paul Newman wore his Daytona Rolex every single day for 35 years until his death in 2008. The iconic timepiece, probably the single most sought-after watch in the world, is now in the possession of his daughter Clea, who wears it every day in his memory. Franklin Roosevelt wore an elegant gold Tiffany watch, gifted to him by a friend on his birthday, to the famous Yalta Conference where he shook the hands of Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill. JFK's Omega worn to his presidential inauguration, Ralph Lauren's watch purchased from Andy Warhol's personal collection, Sir Edmund Hillary's Rolex worn during the first-ever summit of Mt. Everest...these and many more compose the stories of the world's most coveted watches captured in A Man and His Watch. Matthew Hranek, a watch collector and NYC men's style fixture, has travelled the world conducting firsthand interviews and diving into exclusive collections to gather the never-before- told stories of 76 watches, complete with stunning original photography of every single piece.

In Search of Lost Time (Paperback, Reprinted edition): D York In Search of Lost Time (Paperback, Reprinted edition)
D York
R1,113 Discovery Miles 11 130 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

Do you know
that black holes can affect time?
that Stonehenge is a giant calendar?
that the Oracle Bones of the North China Plain predict the phases of the moon?
that the Pyramids are giant compasses?
how Jonathan Swift knew that Mars had two moons when he wrote Gulliver's Travels?
that the effects of black holes are described in the story of Alice in Wonderland?
that an atomic reactor existed 2 billion years ago in Equatorial Africa?
that an electron on the other side of the galaxy can deflect a billiard ball?
that Schrodingers cat is both alive and dead?
Derek York fathoms these and many other mysteries of time and space in In Search of Lost Time. A reflection of York's obsession with time and its measurement, the book discusses the mind-bending universe of the special and general theories of relativity, the ghostly world of quantum mechanics, and the unpredictable haunts of chaos.
It explores the pyramids of Egypt, Stonehenge, and the South China plain; the universities of Cambridge, McGill, and Chicago; the Patent Office in Berne; and back to the Ethiopian desert on the banks of the Awash River. Companions to share and illuminate the path range from Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels and Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland to J.B. Priestley's Dangerous Corner. It also presents the father of master-spy Kim Philby in the Empty Quarter of Arabia, the fantasist Velikovsky in the clouds, and Newton, Darwin, Rutherford, Einstein and the great Earth scientists of this century who fathomed the depths of lost time and discovered the age of the Earth.
Written in an engaging, nontechnical style, this book will delight and amaze all who encounter it."

Mechanical and Quartz Watch Repair (Hardcover): Mick Watters Mechanical and Quartz Watch Repair (Hardcover)
Mick Watters
R667 Discovery Miles 6 670 Ships in 9 - 17 working days

"Mechanical and Quartz Watch Repair" is targeted primarily at those who want to learn about watch repair, and features movements that are representative of those found in other watches. The easy to follow instructions are appropriate to both professional repairers and enthusiasts. Material covered includes the working environment, overhauling basic mechanical watches, automatics, stop watches, chronographs, some restoration, and basic quartz watches--both analog and liquid crystal display.

The Book of Sun-Dials (Paperback): Margaret Gatty The Book of Sun-Dials (Paperback)
Margaret Gatty
R734 Discovery Miles 7 340 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

Margaret Gatty (1809 1873) was an English writer best known for her researches on sundials and British seaweeds. After marrying the Rev. Alfred Gatty in 1839, she moved to Ecclesfield, Yorkshire, where she pursued her literary and scientific studies. This volume, first published in 1872, contains detailed descriptions of various styles of sundials, many taken from Gatty's own collection. Over 350 sundials from across Britain and Europe are described, and each sundial's location is noted in this work, which was one of the first popular books on the subject. Examples included range from portable sundials to early Saxon sundials, as well as the more familiar church sundials. This volume is one of Gatty's best known works, and remains a valuable reference for the various types of sundials and the variations and similarities in their mottoes. For more information on this author, see http: //orlando.cambridge.org/public/svPeople?person_id=gattma"

Shaping the Day - A History of Timekeeping in England and Wales 1300-1800 (Paperback): Paul Glennie, Nigel Thrift Shaping the Day - A History of Timekeeping in England and Wales 1300-1800 (Paperback)
Paul Glennie, Nigel Thrift
R1,522 Discovery Miles 15 220 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

Timekeeping is an essential activity in the modern world and we take it for granted that our lives our shaped by the hours of the day. Yet what seems so ordinary today is actually the extraordinary outcome of centuries of technical innovation and circulation of ideas about time.
Shaping the Day is a pathbreaking study of the practice of timekeeping in England and Wales between 1300 and 1800. Drawing on many unique historical sources, ranging from personal diaries to housekeeping manuals, Paul Glennie and Nigel Thrift illustrate how a particular kind of common sense about time came into being, and how it developed during this period.
Many remarkable figures make their appearance, ranging from the well-known, such as Edmund Halley, Samuel Pepys, and John Harrison, who solved the problem of longitude, to less familiar characters, including sailors, gamblers, and burglars.
Overturning many common perceptions of the past-for example, that clock time and the industrial revolution were intimately related-this unique historical study engages all readers interested in how 'telling the time' has come to dominate our way of life.

The Trail of Time - Time Measurement with Incense in East Asia (Paperback, Revised): Silvio A. Bedini The Trail of Time - Time Measurement with Incense in East Asia (Paperback, Revised)
Silvio A. Bedini
R1,454 R966 Discovery Miles 9 660 Save R488 (34%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

This book is a scholarly study of a virtually unknown aspect of the history of horology (timekeeping), compiled from Chinese and Japanese historical and literary records, some of which are translated and published here for the first time. Incense timekeepers played an important role in early Chinese social and technological history, in addition to their use for time measurement. They were used in temples for religious rites, in agricultural regions for regulating water for irrigation, in palaces and government offices, and in the studies of scholars. A fascinating compendium of knowledge about a neglected aspect of Oriental culture, this book will appeal not only to historians of China and Japan, but to the growing number of collectors and museum curators who are interested in incense clocks. It is illustrated with black and white halftones of a large number of the clocks, which are renowned for their beauty of design and quality of workmanship. The book also includes a catalogue of incense clocks which have appeared in auction houses and museums.

The Worlds of Jaquet Droz - Horological Art and Artistic Horology (Hardcover): Sandrine Girardier The Worlds of Jaquet Droz - Horological Art and Artistic Horology (Hardcover)
Sandrine Girardier
R1,625 Discovery Miles 16 250 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

There are names in horological history that echo much more than just watches... Such is the case of Jaquet-Droz, 18th Swiss watchmakers with an international horizon, whose ceremonial clocks, prodigious androids, fashionable birdcages, pocket watches with moving scenes or collector's snuffboxes remain the stuff of dreams for passionate enthusiasts. Today, the Maison Jaquet Droz continues to draw its inspiration from this rich heritage in order to reinterpret techniques and aesthetics, pushing back the boundaries of watchmaking and representing a perpetual source of fascination for collectors. Based on the latest research on the subject and published on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the birth of Pierre Jaquet-Droz (1721-2021), this book offers a deep dive into the history of characters with a captivating journey. Born in La Chaux-de-Fonds, in what was then the principality of Neuchatel, Pierre Jaquet-Droz founded a watchmaking workshop and developed it through a combination of technical, artistic and commercial skills enabling it to reach international markets. His son Henry-Louis developed the family business and further diversified production, a significant portion of which found its way to China and its dignitaries, devotees of luxurious and ingenious mechanical marvels. This richly illustrated book aims to enable a rediscovery of their mechanical masterpieces as well as those of the Maison Jaquet Droz, whose rebirth and recent history are recounted here. These splendid historical and contemporary pieces embody a love of technical challenges and a taste for artistic refinement, adhering as much as possible to the sources of inspiration offered by nature. The Worlds of Jaquet Droz thus reveals part of the expansive universe of pre-industrial watchmaking while drawing parallels between past and present productions.

The Pendulum - A Case Study in Physics (Paperback): Gregory L. Baker, James A. Blackburn The Pendulum - A Case Study in Physics (Paperback)
Gregory L. Baker, James A. Blackburn
R1,536 Discovery Miles 15 360 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

The pendulum: a case study in physics is a unique book in several ways. Firstly, it is a comprehensive quantitative study of one physical system, the pendulum, from the viewpoint of elementary and more advanced classical physics, modern chaotic dynamics, and quantum mechanics. In addition, coupled pendulums and pendulum analogs of superconducting devices are also discussed. Secondly, this book treats the physics of the pendulum within a historical and cultural context, showing, for example, that the pendulum has been intimately connected with studies of the earth's density, the earth's motion, and timekeeping. While primarily a physics book, the work provides significant added interest through the use of relevant cultural and historical vignettes. This approach offers an alternative to the usual modern physics courses. The text is amply illustrated and augmented by exercises at the end of each chapter.

Rolex - History, Icons and Record-Breaking Models (Hardcover): Mara Cappelletti, Osvaldo Patrizzi Rolex - History, Icons and Record-Breaking Models (Hardcover)
Mara Cappelletti, Osvaldo Patrizzi 1
R887 R731 Discovery Miles 7 310 Save R156 (18%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

The history of Rolex is inextricably linked to its founder Hans Wilsdorf, who took the first steps in the world of Swiss watchmaking as he dreamed about a timepiece that could be worn around the wrist. This experimental research led Rolex to achieve its highest goals in both technological innovation and in the use of the finest materials alone. Its models have been photographed on the wrists of political leaders, sports champions, and film and fashion celebrities, transforming each Rolex into a fully-fledged status symbol, a synonym of elegance and precision. Including essays with a historical and technical slant, in-depth descriptions of the most representative pieces and a brief glossary, the pages in this book sparkle with golden hands, diamond-studded dials and patent-leather watchbands, illustrated in period photographs and macro-detail. The volume ends with a chapter dedicated to the most amazing auctions that saw the sale of the Geneva-based company's vintage watches. (Reprinting 10.02.2020)

Russian Wristwatches: Pocket Watches, St Watches, Onboard Clock and Chronometers (Paperback): Juri Levenberg Russian Wristwatches: Pocket Watches, St Watches, Onboard Clock and Chronometers (Paperback)
Juri Levenberg
R541 R491 Discovery Miles 4 910 Save R50 (9%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

Twentieth century Russian wristwatches are too costly for many native buyers, but they are still inexpensive for Western Collectors, and are becoming extremely popular. Watch faces commemorate all the great moments of Russian and Soviet history-from Yuri Gagarin's space flight to the Summit meeting between Gorbachev and George Bush-and celebrate Russian culture with images of native costumes from Chechnya to the Ukraine. Collectors have long clamored for a definitive reference and this new book will satisfy even the most avid enthusiast, with photographs of over 500 watches manufactured in Russia and the USSR during the second half of this century, and explanations of their styles, workings, and manufacturers. Poljot, Wostok, and Slava wristwatches are covered, along with a sampling of pocket watches, deck watches, and marine chronometers. This book is a must for serious collectors in the growing field of Russian timekeepers.

An Introductory Guide to Repairing Mechanical Clocks (Hardcover): Scott Jeffery An Introductory Guide to Repairing Mechanical Clocks (Hardcover)
Scott Jeffery
R701 Discovery Miles 7 010 Ships in 9 - 17 working days

This up-to-date, clearly written and beautifully illustrated book is targeted at the amateur repairer and at the absolute beginner with no experience, as well as at hobbyists who often dabble with, but have little knowledge of, the techniques used in quality horological work. Written by a professional clock repairer with a common sense approach, this workshop companion for the beginner 'keeps things simple' whilst placing an emphasis on the quality of the work. It provides step-by-step illustrated instructions and simplifies a large variety of tasks that are often regarded as being complicated, such as re-pivoting, jewelling and bushing. Moreover, it presents a great deal of useful advice and contains over 400 high quality colour images that help to explain and clarify every procedure that is covered.

Independent Watchmakers (Hardcover): Steve Huyton Independent Watchmakers (Hardcover)
Steve Huyton
R1,057 R861 Discovery Miles 8 610 Save R196 (19%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

With a foreword from Jean-Marie Schaller, founder and creative director of Louis Moinet, this book introduces some of the most elegant watches the horological world has to offer, including several one-of-a-kind pieces that have never before appeared in print. Many of these ateliers handcraft both the watches and their complicated mechanical movements in-house. The level of expertise and craftsmanship involved is truly dazzling. Featuring such stunning timepieces as the 15.48 Driver Watch, the Andreas Strehler Time Shadow and the Antoine Preziuso Chronometer, Tourbillon of Tourbillons, this expertly curated collection of watch profiles will catch the eye of any true enthusiast. Steve Huyton looks beyond the price tag, featuring affordable options of particular artistic merit as well as pieces from the luxury end of the scale. Discover the hidden gems of the watchmaking business - 60 independent artisans counted among the finest makers in the world. Includes the work of: Hajime Asaoka, Felix Baumgartner (Urwerk), Aaron Becsei, Vincent Calabrese, Konstantin Chaykin, Bernhard Lederer (BLU), Masahiro Kikuno, Vianney Halter, Antoine Preziuso and Andreas Strehler, among others.

Regulator Clock Construction (Paperback): Peter K. Heimann Regulator Clock Construction (Paperback)
Peter K. Heimann
R229 Discovery Miles 2 290 Ships in 4 - 6 working days

This book describes the construction of two different clock projects - an eight day regulator clock and a month going regulator clock - and features full-page fully-dimensionalised working drawings supported by detailed photographs. It also includes instructions and plans for constructing glazed wood cases for each project. It is intended for model engineering hobbyists with basic facilities to enable them to venture into the field of horology by building their own precision clocks which can become treasured family heirlooms. The term 'regulator' simply describes a precision clock. Every clockmaker and repairer needs such an instrument to use in regulating his repair and new work. The typical English regulator, as described in the first section, beats at one second intervals and will run for eight days between winding. The second project is a month going regulator clock, an equally high precision type which will run for a whole month between winding. This book is based on a popular series of popular articles originally published over many years in Model Engineer magazine.

Watch - An Illustrated Guide to its History and Mechanism (Hardcover): John Cronin Watch - An Illustrated Guide to its History and Mechanism (Hardcover)
John Cronin
R695 Discovery Miles 6 950 Ships in 9 - 17 working days

The watch has a long and fascinating history, from a fifteenth-century status symbol of the rich and powerful to the mass-produced everyday timepiece of modern times. This book describes the main technical developments across a 500-year timespan, from the beginnings in Germany and France, through the golden age of English horology in the 18th century, to the development of modern factory production in America and Switzerland. It also sets out to give the general reader and collector a grasp of the key technological developments in watch and sets the lives of the inventors and artisans in the context of the social and economic history of their times. With over 290 photographs and 3D diagrams, this book includes an extensive listing and history of watch brands and manufacturers to assist in identification along with a useful glossary of terms.

Using the Engineer's Lathe in Clockmaking (Hardcover): Laurie Penman Using the Engineer's Lathe in Clockmaking (Hardcover)
Laurie Penman
R573 Discovery Miles 5 730 Ships in 9 - 17 working days

This book is a practical guide to selecting, setting up and using an engineer's lathe to create parts specifically for clockmaking or clock repairs. It begins as an instructional manual and consequently the first chapter assumes that the reader does not yet have a lathe and needs advice on choosing one. With over 160 diagrams and photographs, topics include: choosing and setting up the lathe; turning - materials and facing; boring and milling techniques; chucks, collets and face-plates; creating a height-centring gauge; pivots, wheels and pinions; removing and mounting gear wheels; fly cutters; making a flat depthing tool and, finally, creating centre marking tools. The intent is to provide a gentle learning curve for the practical use of the lathe.

Time Restored - The Harrison timekeepers and R.T. Gould, the man who knew (almost) everything (Paperback): Jonathan Betts Time Restored - The Harrison timekeepers and R.T. Gould, the man who knew (almost) everything (Paperback)
Jonathan Betts
R1,444 Discovery Miles 14 440 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

This is the story of Rupert T. Gould (1890-1948), the polymath and horologist. A remarkable man, Lt Cmdr Gould made important contributions in an extraordinary range of subject areas throughout his relatively short and dramatically troubled life. From antique clocks to scientific mysteries, from typewriters to the first systematic study of the Loch Ness Monster, Gould studied and published on them all. With the title The Stargazer, Gould was an early broadcaster on the BBC's Children's Hour when, with his encyclopaedic knowledge, he became known as The Man Who Knew Everything. Not surprisingly, he was also part of that elite group on BBC radio who formed The Brains Trust, giving on-the-spot answers to all manner of wide ranging and difficult questions. With his wide learning and photographic memory, Gould awed a national audience, becoming one of the era's radio celebrities.
During the 1920s Gould restored the complex and highly significant marine timekeepers constructed by John Harrison (1693-1776), and wrote the unsurpassed classic, The Marine Chronometer, its History and Development. Today he is virtually unknown, his horological contributions scarcely mentioned in Dava Sobel's bestseller Longitude. The TV version of Longitude, in which Jeremy Irons played Rupert Gould, did at least introduce Gould's name to a wider public.
Gould suffered terrible bouts of depression, resulting in a number of nervous breakdowns. These, coupled with his obsessive and pedantic nature, led to a scandalously-reported separation from his wife and cost him his family, his home, his job, and his closest friends.
In this first-ever biography of Rupert Gould, Jonathan Betts, the Royal Observatory Greenwich's Senior Horologist, has given us a compelling account of a talented but flawed individual. Using hitherto unknown personal journals, the family's extensive collection of photographs, and the polymath's surviving records and notes, Betts tells the story of how Gould's early life, his naval career, and his celebrity status came together as this talented Englishman restored part of Britain's - and the world's - most important technical heritage: John Harrison's marine timekeepers.

Big Ben: the Great Clock and the Bells at the Palace of Westminster (Hardcover): Chris McKay Big Ben: the Great Clock and the Bells at the Palace of Westminster (Hardcover)
Chris McKay
R2,571 Discovery Miles 25 710 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

Big Ben covers the history of 'Big Ben', the great clock and bells at Westminster, from the origins of Westminster as the seat of government right up to the celebrations of the Great Clock's 150th anniversary in 2009.
The book begins by taking the reader through a typical visit to the Clock Tower, and then begins the history of the palace of Westminster, covering the fire of 1834, the building of the New Houses of Parliament and development of the clock and the bells, going into detail on their design and installation. The book covers the famous cracking of the current bell Big Ben in 1859, with sketches of all the characters involved, the two world wars, and the disaster of 1976. The book ends with a detailed technical description of the clock mechanism.
The book is richly illustrated, and will appeal not only to clockmakers and horologists, but to bell enthusiasts, and those with an interest in our rich Victorian heritage.

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