Coming from Melbourne, riding on a Tram network is nothing out of the ordinary - after all we do have the biggest Tramways network in the world. But it is fun to ride on Other Styles of Trams!
Zurich's Trams are - Cute. They have 'Chiselled noses' and only go one way... So you are able to sit in the back and watch the traffic.
Today we jumped on a Tram and rode into the 'Old City' where we went to Bahnhofstrasse - the most expensive shopping street in all of Zurich and then to the Beyer Chronometerie AG.
In the lower level of the Beyer Store is a Clock Museum.
There were Clocks dating back centuries when time was measured by how long it took to empty an earthenware pot of water through a hole in the base.
And Incredibly accurate machines of Brass - Wheels and Cogs and Counterbalances.
This is a replica of the Planetarium of Giovanni de Dondi whose initial purpose was to show the positions of the Sun Moon and the 5 known Planets and show their movements.
It is not known what happened to the Original which was made in 1348, but replicas now exist due to the detailed drawings in Dondi's manuscripts.
From the complex to the Simple yet functional -
A Pulpit Clock dated c1700.
(How I wished we had one of these in OUR Church when my Father's Sermons went overtime!)
Turned as the Clergyman arrived at the Pulpit - the First Glass ran out in 15 minutes, the Second in 30, the Third in 45. The Minister then could see at a glance if he needed to shorten or lengthen his Sermon!
And then there was the most Elegant of Pocket Watches.
IF - if I could have chosen anything from the display - this would have been my choice.
The case is made of Rock Crystal, the movements - Sapphire, agate and Gold
It is a Unique piece, Made for the Paris World Exhibition of 1855.
And it was beautiful!
Just a Gentleman's wristwatch.
Nothing special -
Not a particularly interesting timepiece at all
BUT for Who wore it
Where
And When.
Sir Edmund Hillary
Mount Everest
1953
* * * * *
If you are considering a trip to Zurich - The Beyer Clock and Watch Museum is well worth the time to Visit.
The Staff were friendly and inviting. We were shown to the Cloakroom where we hung our coats and placed our bags in lockers before being handed I-pads with all the details of the exhibits in our chosen language enabling us to wander the exhibits at our leisure.
And we left with some very affordable souvenirs, which were carefully placed in a 'Store Bag' so that "You can now show everyone that you shopped at one of the most expensive Jewellery stores in all of Zurich! ;) "
Tram fare and Entry are included on the Zurich Pass.
Very nice!
ReplyDeleteThe pulpit clock is an interesting invention. I've sat through some church services that could have benefited from that.