Nauticalia

In the early days of clock making, the high quality springs required to store energy for any length of time simply did not exist. One of the more successful and ingenious solutions was a "paddlewheel", driven at a continuous rate by a succession of gravity-powered ball bearings. In this British made, hand-built replica of a 1650's Italian model, the 24 balls make their way downwards at the rate of one every four hours, driving the clock hands through an 11-jewel platform escapement. When several of the balls have collected at the bottom they can be replaced on the top rack, giving virtual perpetual motion. Beautiful to look at - all brass, glass and mahogany - and compelling to watch (it is all open-framed so that you can see the workings). Measures 13x10x8".