Since 1922, the brand Hermle is known for high-quality longcase clocks, wall clocks, table clocks and regulators. The clocks are mostly handmade and refined with technical and visual details.
These masterpieces are very popular all over the world and represent time in its most beautiful form. Although there are various kinds of table clocks nowadays, few combine elegance and classic style like the products by Hermle do. In the following, I have selected a very special masterpiece by the Swabian watchmaker, which you can examine on Timeshop4you.co.uk anytime.
The Tellurium by Hermle
A Tellurium is a planetary machine, a model that mechanically shows the moon’s and Earth’s movements around the sun. On the table clock with the same name by Hermle such a model adorns the housing’s upper part.
On the angular walnut housing, there is a glass dome under which the Tellurium is located. It shows Earth’s rotation around the sun within a year. Earth rotates around itself completely in 24 hours. At the same time, the moon orbits Earth in 29,5 days and rotates around itself. Thus, the different moon phases can be observed. On its way around the sun, Earth passes through all 12 zodiac signs, months, and single days, which are indicated on the flat disc below the dome. Thanks to the inclination of the Earth axis against the orbit, the seasons can also be represented.
If you are lucky enough to own such a masterpiece, you should definitely keep in mind the following aspects.
All movements need to be executed with utmost care. I even recommend to wear gloves to protect the clock.
When the high-quality clock has finally arrived, the first step is to unwrap it correctly. To do so, I have removed the upper inside carton from the package. It contains the Tellurium’s polished sun ball, the winding key and the glass dome, which are all wrapped separately.
After that, the second inside carton can be removed from the package, which contains the complete clock. Again, utmost care is needed to not damage the clock while unpacking.
In order to be able to look at the clock in its full beauty, all transport protections need to be removed from the product’s hammers and bells, which includes rubber, foam material, corrugated board etc. It is easier to do that when both doors of the clock are opened.
The Tellurium technology
The clock’s running time is 1 week (8 day clockwork). You should not forget to wind it up regularly to prevent a standstill. To achieve that, I have put the winding key into the winding arbor and turned it clockwise until the work was completely wound up (approx. 4 ½ turns). While the right arbor is responsible for the 4/4 striking mechanism, the middle arbor is for the clockwork mechanism. Finally, the hour striking mechanism can be wound up with the left arbor.
The striking mechanism can be turned off via the strike shutdown, which is located next to the number 3 on the clock face. Furthermore, the clock is provided with an overnight shutdown, which automatically turns off the chime at night. This switch can be found behind the clock face between its centre and the number 3. When this function is activated, the clock does not strike between 10 pm and 6.45 am – this way, silence at night can be guaranteed.
In the next step, the clock needs to be set correctly. To do so, I have activated the chime via the strike shutdown. The hour bell can be triggered by moving the minute hand (long hand) to 12. As soon as the melody has faded, the hourly strike follows. The number of hour strikes needs to correspond to what the hour hand (short hand) displays. Due to the integrated strike synchronisation, it sets automatically within one hour. The Westminster Quarters is played in a 4/4 beat.
The manufacturer provides the Hermle Tellurium with an accurate 11-stone escapement, which is adjusted carefully during the production. If it needs to be readjusted, however, it needs to be done with utmost care. If the regulating lever of the escapement is moved only by 1 mm, the clock’s speed can already be changed by approx. 2 – 4 min / day.
The next step is to set the clock’s heart, the Tellurium, correctly. First, I have taken the sun ball from the package and mounted it on the middle vertical axis. Then, the Tellurium’s rotating arm needs to be turned at the black date hand to the correct date. It is important not to touch the mechanism behind the hand. I have set the strap with the Earth globe in a way that ensures that the strap points away from the sun (valid for the northern hemisphere).
Once these steps are completed, the moon can be adjusted according to the current moon phase and Earth can be set to the current time.
If the clock stands still at some point (forgotten to wind it up, holidays etc.), it needs to be reset completely.
Maintenance of the Clock
Another very important aspect I would like to mention here is the maintenance of the clock. Special cleaners, polishing pastes or water should not be used. If the clock needs to be cleaned anyway, I can only recommend using a dry cloth or leather. The mechanical clockwork can be influenced by moisture, dust, heat and cold. Therefore, it might be necessary to have the clock cleaned and oiled by a professional watchmaker after a certain period (5 – 8 years).
The Hermle Tellurium is a masterpiece and not only popular among watch lovers. This first-class table clock is a jewel and eye-catcher in every living room