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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock type · Precision

Quartz Precision and Standard Clocks

Partially verified

Clocks regulated by the vibration of a quartz crystal rather than a pendulum or balance.

Movement & mechanism

  • A quartz crystal oscillator provides a stable frequency
  • Electronic dividers reduce the frequency to drive a display or a motor
  • Temperature control improves stability in laboratory standards

Identification

  • An electronic oscillator rather than a mechanical oscillator
  • Laboratory examples are rack-mounted instruments rather than furniture
  • Early laboratory standards predate the quartz wristwatch by decades

Terminology

  • Crystal oscillator
  • Frequency divider
  • Time standard

Known variations

  • Laboratory standards and later domestic clocks

Collecting notes

Originality decides value and interest: check that movement, dial and case belong together, and prefer honest wear over refinishing. Movement work belongs with a clockmaker; cleaning a dial or case yourself commonly destroys the evidence that dates the clock.

Diagram

escape wheelpallets and leveroscillator
Schematic: escapement arrangement. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Sources & references

  1. Britten, F. J., Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers
  2. Loomes, B., reference works on British clockmakers (edition-dependent)
  3. Museum catalogue descriptions of comparable examples

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.