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19th Century Wooden Sunwatch
Very early example. Sunwatches were carried when a pocket watch would have been too expensive. This one is missing its "gnomon," the upright piece that is generally pointed North and casts a shadow on the hour. The gnomon was likely string or hair - a tiny portion remains. Simple wire hooks keep the device closed or open. Wire hinges. Paper dial and fascia. Specifications:
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Sunwatch
Later example of above. Metal construction, folding gnomon, latitude and time correction chart for 40+ cities across the U.S. Specifications:
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Early 20th Century Sunwatch / Sundial
These are a little difficult to date, considering that the style remained
relatively unchanged from the early 1700's through the early 1900's!
It is interesting to note that as early as 1897, pocket watches were available
for less than a dollar while predecessors of this device cost $4.
Lid and case boast a nice scroll pattern. Designed for use in the
eastern states: the flip-up gnomon is angled for accurate suntime at a
latitude of 45 degrees and the paper dial's north index is marked for about
15 degrees of west declination. Freely swinging, accurate needle,
95% finish.
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here for photos
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Magnetic Time Keeper & Compass
Lid only. Very scarce when complete. Specifications:
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Robbins Co. Sundial & Compass
The Robbins Company was founded over 100 years ago as a manufacturer of jewelry and awards. Some of the first custom items produced were a campaign button to promote Benjamin Harrison for President and a gold medallion for Charles Lindbergh in honor of his solo trans-Atlantic flight. The upper example has had its hour marks worn off; the lower photo shows the dial closer to its original appearance. Specifications:
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Brunton Nexus 27LU
Really a handy little hiking compass, the 27LU is included here because of its innovative sunwatch feature. You simply take a bearing on the sun, rotate the dial until the needle is aligned with the Orienting Arrow, and read the approximate sun time on the reverse! Specifications:
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Moore's Sun-Dial Watch and Compass
From the late Twenties comes this fascinating little pocket sunwatch,
with a number of innovative features! Most notably, it's 2-sided;
the user installs the compass in the proper side, depending upon whether
it's to be used in the "northern or southern" states. In addition,
there's a great adjustment feature on the compass: at 12:00 noon, you turn
the sunwatch until the shadow falls on "12" and adjust a tiny diamond on
the compass face to match the needle; in the future, you use the diamond
as a reference point for greater accuracy.
Boston (on front) U.S. Patent No. 1670205 (on reverse) |
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Moore's Sun-Dial Watch and Compass
Similar in concept to the above (even dual-sided!), but on a handy pocket-size card. Includes case to protect the device during travel.
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Spanish Reproduction Sunwatch
We're generally loathe to offer reproductions at the Mercantile, but
the original versions of these (as seen in our above) are easily into three
digits and Lord knows you wouldn't want to carry one, so here's a nice,
economical alternative!
Dec 0 degrees Lat 42 degrees (on face) Made in Spain (on reverse) |
