CLEPSYDRA (WATER CLOCK) NOVELTY Clepsydra, literally "water thief" and the Greek word for water clock   This interesting novelty item came from a retired clockmaker, he told me he made this clock in the 1970's - hence the look of the brass chapter ring - certainly of it's date! He also included the other more traditional one for possibly updating the clock, hence I am listing it with this. The original would have been glued to the hardwood frame, it has been "placed" onto the clock for the pictures as it is loose. The single hand is made of Aircraft Grade Aluminium and highly polished, the clock has a professional feel to it's construction. Top wedge seems to have been mis-placed since picutre taken - will update if found! n.b. Hand is polished to a mirror like finish - not seen so well in pictures Many hours must have gone into making this! The flourescene like fluid  -  (for shipping I will check if this can be shipped - otherwise I will measure volume and you could refill at your end. it looks to be flouroscene (back to school chemisty!) or perhaps anti-freeze?) I have presumed this would be sent empty to save weight in overseas shipping too. I'm sure of interest to a collector of unusual clocks - certainly your neighbour won't have one!!! **** I have been playing with this strange clock today - and have made some observations **** I would it this morning, and found it to have run all day!!! I think I expected more action - the fact the drum is rotating at about the same speed as a minute hand means it really is slow! When set up the water drum sits at 90 degrees to clock dial - ie sideways on - it appears to run down wall like a wheel - although is in free space supported by nylon lines I also think I have worked out what the metal bracket is - I think it is for winding the clock up, and hooking onto the hook at base of clock, possibly to keep it fully wound and ready for action? Perhaps in this state it is in standby mode (perhaps to keep clock safe from visiting pets or grand-children!?) The more I have looked at this clock the more it has confused me, the barrel is very cleverly counterweighted to provide the momentum and speed for driving the time, the hand is held in place with a couple of turned brass counterweights. These water clocks are very interesting, but are poor timekeepers, they are more like time indicators-if you want to have accuracy please use a quartz clock!   Sizes Appx. OVERALL DIAMETER 6 inch DRUM HEIGHT OF FRAME 12 inches WIDTH/DEPTH 5 inches  Add us to your favourites  Add me to your Favourites list Please see other items for sale Other items for sale (C) copyright ebay id. ENGLISHCLOCK