What is a chronometer? Detailed analysis

The article tells about what a chronometer is, who invented it, why it is needed, and how this device is used in the modern world.

Ancient times

Since ancient times, people have felt the need to accurately determine or measure the length of time. And if during the time of the primitive system without any such things at least somehow managed, then with the creation of a civilized social society this question arose with new severity. The absence of clocks and other instruments for accurate time measurement made it very difficult for some aspects of life. And if there were no problems with the countdown of days, then how to agree on a meeting? Of course, you can navigate the sun, but this method is far from perfect, and it is not always clear weather. It is for these reasons that people have tried to invent watches and their analogs.

The first such devices, found by archaeologists, are called clepsydra. It is a vessel from which fluid gradually flowed, because of which a float with divisions descended. Of course, such a thing suited only to measure the time interval.

But even earlier our ancestors used a sundial, noticing that the location of the shadows varies, depending on the time of day. Well, the hours of the customary design for the first time began to be mass produced in the late Middle Ages. They were expensive, big, and not everyone could afford them. Yes, and there was no such need - in the city a tower was built, where the clock stood, and anyone could know the time.

However, watches of different designs still had inaccuracies, and so in 1731 a watchmaker Harrison constructed a chronometer. So what is a chronometer and what is it for?

Definition

According to the terminology, the chronometer is a particularly accurate clock with a minimum error. They are used where the definition of time or its segment is particularly important. Acquire such a device for home use is meaningless.

In simple terms, these are the most common watches, the course of which is very precise, and they are spared from a number of shortcomings. So Harrison was not the inventor of the watch, he just took their overall design and perfected it at that time. So now we know what a chronometer is. But where is it applied?

Application

The most important drawback of such a device, as the time chronometer, was originally its price. Since it took much longer to manufacture it, compared to conventional watches. Nevertheless, a little later Garrison could reduce their cost price, and chronometers became very in demand. The first to evaluate them according to merit, were sailors. In those days, the definition of latitude and longitude was carried out by the sun, and an accurate chronometer was needed to record the time of sunrise or sunset of our luminary. Naturally, the more precisely this was done, the more accurately the seamen determined their location.

Later, various scientists became interested in the device, for example astronomers, who needed to accurately record some events. So we figured out what a chronometer is.

Nowadays

This device has been used for several centuries for navigation on air or sea vessels, but now the chronometer is practically not used, except as a backup facility. The fact is that it was replaced by a more accurate quartz watch. And in general, the navigation of ships and aircraft has long been based on radio signals or satellite systems. But if desired, anyone can still buy a device like a chronometer. The price differs greatly, depending on the size, brand, accuracy and decoration. For example, a replica of the marine chronometer MX 6 will cost 31,000 Russian rubles. A wrist watch and modern chronometers brand Ulysse Nardin cost from 300 000 thousand. But the cost of more simple options starts from about 1500 rubles.