Reply With QuoteI have an Atmosphere with Moonphase and temperature.
It’s a beautiful object, exquisitely made, but I don’t think it’s ever run reliably or accurately since I’ve owned it
Jaeger-LeCoultre - Atmos Clock
I am interesting in buying a Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos Clock and I am wondering if anyone has one and if so what are they like in the real world, particularly WRT time keeping and resistance to being moved?
Thanks
Eddie
I have an Atmosphere with Moonphase and temperature.
It’s a beautiful object, exquisitely made, but I don’t think it’s ever run reliably or accurately since I’ve owned it
LOL!Originally Posted by Danpd
I have an Atmosphere with Moonphase and temperature.
It’s a beautiful object, exquisitely made, but I don’t think it’s ever run reliably or accurately since I’ve owned it
Not exactly good news, for me it must be reliable and it will be interesting to hear other views, do you know if only Jaeger-LeCoultre make "Atmos" clocks?
Father in law bought this at auction a few months ago. He’d been looking for one for ages. Think it’s a 1960’s model and it was bought in non-working order. For what he paid I thought it was a parts only job. He then took it to a specialist repairer who did a great job on it (at a cost of circa £700) ..... it’s a lovely piece but it runs about 2 mins fast a week. I don’t think it’s the kind of clock you buy for accuracy
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We have a very similar model in my family. Beautiful thing, mesmerising to watch. Time keeping moderate.
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utterly beautiful item. I'd love one but too much money for me. 2 mins a week? I'd settle for that.
^^^ Phwoar, that's pretty.
I have 1963 model, I have had it for about 15 years, it has never stopped, tends to go fast in summer and slow in winter, its a great thing, it sits on a shelf next to a Mova globe, two things very close to perpetual motion.
That's fantastic Dan, I certainly could admire one of them in the house. Could you tell us a little about it and where you got it?
This clockmaker is an Atmos specialist but none for sale currently. He has repaired my Atmos.
https://www.clocksuk.co.uk/The-Atmos-Clock.html
Note his comments ref purchasing an Atmos clock
https://www.clocksuk.co.uk/Atmos.html
Gutlin Clocks Kings Road London is an Atmos specialist and has a good selection of guaranteed instruments starting c. £1200
https://www.gutlin.com/atmos?ajaxcatalog=true&
Any with the original Atmos storage case command a premium price.
If properly serviced and set up an Atmos clock is capable of keeping excellent time. Faulty bellows will affect timekeeping. The bellows is the heart of the mechanism and winds the spring as the bellows expands and contracts as temperature changes. Just 1º temperature change over 24 hours is sufficient to wind the spring for 2 days operation.
The clock needs levelling so that the torsion pendulum runs level. Amos clocks have a built-in bubble level.
If considering purchase please approach a reputable dealer who understands Atmos clocks .
Don’t buy via Ebay and avoid any with regulator levers which are adjusted way off-centre.
Although an Atmos clock will run for maybe 20 years and up to 40 years without servicing, some models require servicing more frequently … there are several different types of Atmos movements.
I bought my Atmos clock from Antique and Modern in East Barnet N. London … they sometimes have s/h Atmos for sale and can also service them.
https://www.clock-watches.co.uk … they’ve just relocated their premises so website does not show any clocks for sale . Might be worth phoning Vanessa to enquire if any are in stock
A good Atmos can be an investment . An Ebay job sold by a cowboy clock dealer who does not understand them can be a liability.
Reputable dealers' s/h Atmos prices have increased by at least 25% over the last 10 years.
If anyone considers them to be expensive compare the prices to e.g. Jaeger watches which cost more … and consider which offer the best value.
An Atmos clock with its own corner shelf is fascinating piece of horological engineering to be admired by all.
A word of caution:
When adjusting the time (as is required occasionally … and when clocks go back / forward for BST / GMT) always stop the pendulum at the end of its rotation … and then only move the minute hand forwards … never move it backwards … and do not move the hour hand. Then release the pendulum whence it will commence revolving again of its own accord without any coaxing. And make sure the shelf or table is level … and that the clock is levelled via its feet adjustments.
dunk
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...UNcAAQj8tPUQGb
Last edited by sundial; 6th January 2020 at 13:46.
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
What an absolutely beautiful clock!
David
Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations
Stunning clock. Why is accuracy so erratic on them? Although tbh the accuracy wouldn’t bother me too much
I thought about that. Presumably the exceptionally low frequency of the balance (120vph or 2 oscillations a minute), and incredibly low energy usage, makes high accuracy next to impossible.Stunning clock. Why is accuracy so erratic on them? Although tbh the accuracy wouldn’t bother me too much
They are very nice, like many I think I’d like one.
My Atmos is accurate to within 2 to 3 minutes per month after proper setting up i.e. perfectly level ... and was serviced by an Atmos specialist 2 years ago when a new bellows was fitted.
dunk
Last edited by sundial; 6th January 2020 at 14:34.
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
I would love an Atmos and popped in to the JLC boutique on Saturday just to look at the new Transparent version but I can’t have one as I’ve nowhere in my flat suitable, the floor vibrates thanks to the washing machine so putting it on a bookcase is a non starter and a window sill will have too much temperature variation
4-6 spd sounds very good by any standards
Thanks everybody for the responses (especially the detailed ones), I was looking to purchase a new one but the time keeping is not good enough for me. It is no wonder that the accuracy is not listed on the Atmos site.
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What did you think of the design/looks of the Transparent version ??
Have seen that one on line and was quite interested.
Last edited by JP28; 6th January 2020 at 17:16.
Wow, this one is lovely.
If it's consistently gaining 2 minutes per week it should adjust to improve its timekeeping. If the service cost £700 that's enough to include a new bellows so it's likely capable of being accurately regulated.
Father in law bought this at auction a few months ago. He’d been looking for one for ages. Think it’s a 1960’s model and it was bought in non-working order. For what he paid I thought it was a parts only job. He then took it to a specialist repairer who did a great job on it (at a cost of circa £700) ..... it’s a lovely piece but it runs about 2 mins fast a week. I don’t think it’s the kind of clock you buy for accuracy
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If you expect a clock's timekeeping to be as accurate as that of a watch you'll likely be disappointed - unless you opt for a quartz movement clock.
dunk
Last edited by sundial; 6th January 2020 at 21:14.
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
Thank you
Mine has been running continuously for years and is within a minute a week.
I just love it, I’ve never been a big fan of the brass coloured frames of most of them so this one with no frame I find fantastic. It really puts the focus on the baguette style movement. I also feel the baton markers of this new version suit the clear ‘dial’ section far more than the older transparent one with Roman numerals.
There were wall supports made, for those with the same problem as yourself, but they were rather expensive... I bought 4 or 5 of them if I remember rightly?
They are indeed fabulous clocks.
We’ve had ours for over ten years now, bought from Midlands Watch Fair, and it runs at c. 1 min/week fast.
I bought a 1970's model last year. They can be made to run accurately, in theory it should be easier than a watch as you can eliminate many of the variables with a stationary clock.
Nine ELEVEN members in this thread own JLC Atmos clocks
dunk
Last edited by sundial; 8th January 2020 at 00:47.
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
I was given mine by my great uncle who collected clocks. As above I see variance between the seasons but with minor adjustment it’s soon corrected.
I was first interested in the Atmos clock maybe 5 or 6 years ago, a friend had an amazing one, the model was a glass 3000 one , a modern looking stunning clock.
I did some searching and found it was about £10000 plus.
anyway that was way out of my reach but it got me interested in a "normal " Atmos 528 clock and I was searching online for some weeks to get a feel of prices etc and eventually saw one advertised as being serviced and sold by a clock repairer.
https://www.atmosclockrepair.co.uk
What caught my eye was he said he had stripped it down to check it over and service it and mentioned that the date 22nd December 1960 was etched onto the bellows assembly, this gave him an approximate date of original assembly. Well, that was the day I was born so I had to buy it !!
I made him an offer over the telephone and had a chat with him about the clocks and he seemed a really nice chap.
The overall brass condition was very good and it is a stunning clock on the sideboard. Do have a look at the dimensions as it is quite a large clock.
I was very interested in how they work and have generally found accuracy is not really an issue, I probably adjust the time 3 or 4 times a year and it may be a couple of minutes out. Bear in mind 2 of these adjustments is changing to summer and winter time.
I do not think you will lose money on buying one of these , and the enjoyment of having a special clock like this is well worth it, a very unusual item, a lot of people have never heard of how they work.
I've long admired Atmos clocks (some models more than other) But I have to say, that is the most visually impressive one I've seen, can I ask what model it is? Thanks
Thank you,
I believe it’s a Calibre 544 with moonphase temp and hygrometer.
It's all your fault.
I have purchased something that I didn't know I wanted. But now I do and its very lovely. 526-5 with a fairly unusual solid roman numeral face from the mid 70s
Collected today from a well known auction site but the main advantage was it being very local. I didn't fancy posting one. Bought for about the right price for a non shop item.
Maybe a bit shiny and gold but I can live with that. It's all set up and running so as long as its still doing that in the morning then all will be well except maybe a little regulation, we shall see.
It even came with its original box and I'm waiting for the instruction manual and original receipt. I even saw the vendors vintage rolls royce, very nice.
It can sit next to my congreve clock and if someone could find me an incline clock that would be just great.
David
Last edited by DavidL; 13th January 2020 at 00:04.
Picture please David
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I was getting there!Picture please David
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EDIT :)
dunk
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
Fabulous looking piece, I went to look at a new one yesterday but I don't think they look as nice as these early devices.
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That Atmos is identical to mine!It's all your fault.
I have purchased something that I didn't know I wanted. But now I do and its very lovely. 526-5 with a fairly unusual solid roman numeral face from the mid 70s
Collected today from a well known auction site but the main advantage was it being very local. I didn't fancy posting one. Bought for about the right price for a non shop item.
Maybe a bit shiny and gold but I can live with that. It's all set up and running so as long as its still doing that in the morning then all will be well except maybe a little regulation, we shall see.
It even came with its original box and I'm waiting for the instruction manual and original receipt. I even saw the vendors vintage rolls royce, very nice.
It can sit next to my congreve clock and if someone could find me an incline clock that would be just great.
David
I particularly wanted one wirh a solid face and roman numerals which I think are one of the nicest iterations.
I have a 928 "square dial" from 1971 and I bought it from a specialist in Herne Bay Kent.
Timekeeping is OK but my weight driven Vienna Regulator matches my JLC MasterControl!
^^ That makes 14 TZ UK members who own Atmos clocks ...
dunk
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
There are more here, and I have one also.
https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.p...iful-timepiece
I have one as well, Mine has a missing minute hand. It came with the hand, but nothing to mount it on, I bought a, as I remember, fourth wheel with the intention of getting it all replaced when it came to servicing it, but I haven't got around to it. I keep it in my bedroom as it is silent, hypnotic and tells the time about as well as I want it told in the circumstances. There are more accurate clocks, but the only thing that even comes close in terms of hypnotic effect is a well set up Hipp.
I have one, too.
It was freshly serviced when I bought it some 8 years ago, ran very accurate (within 1 minute per month). However, timekeeping has slipped and it needs another service now.
They are beautiful pieces. Here’s mine from the 1950s.
There is one in my parent's house that I will inherit one day. I think it is a 540, Arabic numeral round face. Quick tip, make sure your picture hooks are secure - a picture fell on it once and the repair was over £600!
I was very tempted by this earlier today. Unfortunately I’m not quite sure where I could put it in my house where I could enjoy it without my children getting their hands on it!
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Do these cope with being bought online and delivered? I can imagine a drop or bump on the way could cause serious problems.
The pendulum 'locks' so provided the seller's familiar with Atmos clocks and packs with plenty of padding it's safe to ship via reputable couriers. Mine has been shipped 4 times ie for two repairs / services. Buyers should obtain confirmation from the seller that the clock is running well and bellows has no leaks ... leaking bellows = poor/erratic timekeeping. Best to buy from reputable source / dealer ... preferably with service history. And it's essential to set up the clock on a perfectly level support ... and adjust the clock's own supports / feet using a spirit level so that it's level.
https://www.clocksuk.co.uk/clock-repairs.html
http://www.antiqueclockrepair.co.uk/...ng-and-repair/
dunk
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
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