Post by Dr Robert Whitworth, Academic Curator of the Collection of Historic Physics Instruments
Sigmund Riefler
Riefler Master Clock, 1908, Research and Cultural Collections
This clock is the central feature in the exhibition of the University’s Collection of Historic Physics Instruments. The collection is largely made up of items acquired for teaching or research over the 137-year history of the Birmingham Physics Department. When the Department was moved from Edmund Street to its present building in Edgbaston in 1908 Professor Poynting set about purchasing the best instruments available to equip his new laboratory. For the measurement of time he chose this clock manufactured by Siegmund Riefler in Munich. It is a pendulum clock with many special features making it one of the most accurate in the World at that time. It cost a mere £78! It is what is called a ‘regulator’, and such clocks can be recognised by having a large central minute hand and smaller dials for hours and seconds. It should keep time to about one second per month (similar to a good quartz wristwatch these days). However, as there were then no radio time signals its time keeping had to be set by the stars. There was a telescope for this purpose mounted at a window in the top of the building. This too is part of the Collection.
Sigmund Riefler
Riefler Master Clock, 1908, Research and Cultural Collections
In 1977 the clock was restored and put on display in the entrance to the Physics West Building. Then in 1997 it was moved to a new museum area on the second floor of the Poynting Physics building, and shortly after it became the responsibility of the University’s Research and Cultural Collections. In recent years the time keeping had become erratic due to wear on some of the bearings. We were able to send it for conservation to The Clockworks in London who are experts in these rare clocks. We are now celebrating having it back in the exhibition. It is running well and being adjusted to keep ‘perfect’ time by adding small weights to a platform on the pendulum. We no longer keep up the tradition of setting it by the stars - radio time signals are easier!
The movement being replaced by Jan Wright of The Clockworks
Fine adjustments being made by Johan ten Hoeve of The Clockworks
If you would like to find out more, please join Dr Robert Whitworth for an Introduction to the Physics Collection and the Return of the Riefler Clock, 12:45-13:30 on Thursday 30th March. For more information about the tour and to book your free space please visit our Eventbrite page. You can also find out more about the Curators and Connections tour programme here.
