Part 1 - Evolution of the
"Timepieces"
1st Floor mainly focuses on the
evolution of the timepieces.
(1) The Start of Time
Measurement
Equatorial Sundial made in
Qing Dynasty, China
Chomon points the Polaris, and it casts the
shadow on the dial parallel to the equator. Hour markers from autumn to spring
equinox are at the back side of the dial.
Interesting.
Vertical sundial (for Southern
Wall Type) - UK 1680.
These vertical sundial must be placed on
either Northern or Southern wall, otherwise it won't make much sense
The Korean Sun Dial on the
right and the portable one on the left.
The marker is inside the
"bowl".
Water Clock, used in Egypt (ca. 1400
BC).
As the water inside decreases the water
pressure decreases as well, and this shape accommodates such
variable.
Incense Clock (Edo Period,
Japan)
Measure the time by the length of the
incense burned to ashes. The incense is shaped and placed with
the "shaper" below. Some lasted more than 36
hours.
In 671, The Emperor Tenji
(Japan) made the Water Clock and started telling the public of the
time.
The "Stick Incense" Clock (Edo
Period, Japan).
The stick incense is still used today,
mostly for temples or tombs. But this clock appears to have
been used at the "bar" (you know what I mean...) and you pay the girls
according to how many sticks had been
burned....
The Giant Water-Powered celestial
observatory clock tower, built in the Northern Sung Dynasty (ca.
1088).
Only after 15 years, all of these were
destroyed by war....
... and one was rebuilt in Suwa, Japan (where Seiko Epson or former
Suwa
Seikosha has big presence) based on the documents left in
China. Now I understand that some were
later rebuilt in China as well.
This is the miniature model of
them.
The Hour Glass -
so?
This is the replica of what Admiral
Nelson had on board. Why did he need the hour glass?
For navigating? No. The "look-out" guys have to be
really focused on finding whatever may cause damage to the ship, e.g. a
reef, but can't keep concentration that long. So, the look-out
guys changes shift each some hours - the hour glass was used for timing
such shift changes.
There are various theory of
when the hour glass was invented. But it was 15th century when
the hour glass first appeared on the painting.
The Hour Lamp - measure the
time by how much oil were burned. Used until 19th century or
so.
(2) The Birth and
Development of Mechanical Timepieces
Iron movement Tower
Clock
weight-driven, verge escapement and a foliot balance - UK
ca. 16th century.
Mr. Mukoyama (our guide)
kindly had this mechanism work.
Tower Clock
(Prototype of the Westminster Clock, Big Ben)
weight-driven,
double three legged gravity escapement - UK
The Big Ben (The Westminster
Clock) was set at The Houses of Parliament in London (1859)
And the mechanism got smaller
and smaller...
SEIKO's 8-days wall clock (late 19th
century).
Various pocket watches from
around the world.
(3) The Advent of Quartz
Watches and Clocks
From the pursuit for accuracy
with the mechanical watches in 1950 to...
The tiny lady's quartz watches in
1980....
The photo of the quartz clock
(gigantic!) for broadcast stations in 1958....
says "SEIKOSHA"
Just 11 years later in 1969, SEIKO
already launched its first Quartz wrist watch ASTRON 35SQ.
(4) SEIKO's contribution and
innovation for the sports events - did you know....?
Starting Block equipped with
the "Flying" sensor - Senses the pressure on the block, measures the
change of the pressure for 0.5 sec before the
Start.
Long list of the sports events including
Olympics in which SEIKO was chosen as the official
timer.
Video camera captures the moment of the
goal and decided the place and the time. Moving the cursor on
the runner gives the time of the runner. Not only highly
accurate, but also quick result (no need to develop or enhance the
film).
What do you think this
is?
This is the "touch plate" for swimming
competition. Touching the plate, sensor recognizes it, and the
time is recorded.
Wow, I didn't know anything about most
of these high-tech in the sports events....
Please read on to the
Part 2 - SEIKO history and Wa-Dokei (Historical Japanese Clock)
Collections