Chronometer

Chronometers are special and very precise clocks that were invented to help with the navigation of ships or aircraft. The idea of development is from John Harrison, a clockmaker, who had taught himself the craft. He developed the now designated as a chronometer clock, after 1714 the government exposed a high price for a medium that could be determined with the ship to the geographical situation of the most accurate. With its relatively simple but ingenious idea, Harrison also made enemies, as many scholars had on complicated methods, such as the possibility of calculating the astronomical moon distance, tried.

Due to their high price, the precision watches, however, could prevail in the maritime never right. In 1780, finally created a watchmaker John Arnold Weiterwicklung of Harrison's last effective advertising model, and gave him the name chronometer. Even today, this precision watches are made for collectors and enthusiasts. The programmer has the chronometer, however, have well surpassed the most accurate clock. Previously, however, used in the marine chronometers and even to the end of the Second World War, were widespread. It was not until the mid-20th Century they were replaced by the quartz clocks.

Today, the Navy navigates using GPS (Global Position System), although it is still in the maritime custom, to be equipped for emergencies with astronomical tables and equipment. In Germany and Switzerland can be described only watch as a chronometer if they have been reviewed to certain requirements as to its accuracy before. Have they passed the test they get is usually stamped on the writing chronometer.

Further dutch informations can be found here.