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Aug 29, 2015, 04:33 PM
#1
Evolutionary Deadend
A watchmaking mystery - to me at least.
I was reading a paragraph on timekeeping in a book on a totally non-watch subject. But it got me thinking - or at least the imitation of thinking that I am capable of.
Here's the situation that confuses me.
The English took it upon themselves to make Greenwich the beginning of the day, the reference the rest of the world would have to use. And then they decide that all points on the earth would be measured from there as well with the "Prime Meridian" running through the old neighborhood as well. (Why not simply London? Or the Queens throne to be more precise? ).
Whole thing seems rather - well, 'cheeky' to me.
But what's done, is done, so we have Greenwich as the point from which all timekeeping must be adjusted to.
What confuses me is how the English let the whole watch manufacturing business slip away from them - at various times a number of countries have been known for their watchmaking skills and although there have been some notable companies come out of the country it would simply seem to me that watches made entirely at the location "where timekeeping begins" would be a natural. Advertising copy would make a big deal of the fact that the watches were adjusted exactly at the point where 12:00.000..., exists. Should be watch manufacturers on every corner, the national business of England.
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Aug 29, 2015, 05:14 PM
#2
Much like a lot of what we have achieved. The "bulk" has gone from the UK, but we still arguable lead with the very pinnacle; George Daniels and Roger Smith as well as the traditional; Robert Loomes.
Very similar with shoes, cars, suits etc....
G-Shock: GW3000B-1A
Rolex: Submariner 14060M
Accurist: 1961 Shockmaster (Gold) & 1965 Shockmaster (Steel)
Omega: Speedmaster Professional 3570.50.00
Meistersinger: Perigraph AM1002
Ben Sherman: S489.OOBS
Rotary: 1990 Quartz (Gold)
Steinhart: Ocean GMT 39mm
Certina: DS Super PH500M & DS PH200M
Timex: MKI Mechanical
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Aug 29, 2015, 08:05 PM
#3
We had a bit of a hooha with the French over who was to have the Prime Meridian
Greenwich is it, rather than Buck House, cos there's an observatory there, and Greenwich was also home to a Royal Naval College, sailors being navigators & therefore users of maps and timepieces

WUS travelling watch astride the two hemispheres at Greenwich
It's the final countdown! PM me before they're all gone!

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Aug 29, 2015, 08:46 PM
#4

Originally Posted by
Donf
I was reading a paragraph on timekeeping in a book on a totally non-watch subject. But it got me thinking - or at least the imitation of thinking that I am capable of.
Here's the situation that confuses me.
The English took it upon themselves to make Greenwich the beginning of the day, the reference the rest of the world would have to use. And then they decide that all points on the earth would be measured from there as well with the "Prime Meridian" running through the old neighborhood as well. (Why not simply London? Or the Queens throne to be more precise? ).
Whole thing seems rather - well, 'cheeky' to me.
But what's done, is done, so we have Greenwich as the point from which all timekeeping must be adjusted to.
What confuses me is how the English let the whole watch manufacturing business slip away from them - at various times a number of countries have been known for their watchmaking skills and although there have been some notable companies come out of the country it would simply seem to me that watches made entirely at the location "where timekeeping begins" would be a natural. Advertising copy would make a big deal of the fact that the watches were adjusted exactly at the point where 12:00.000..., exists. Should be watch manufacturers on every corner, the national business of England.
Stay cool mate 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_...28Greenwich%29
http://www.rmg.co.uk/explore/astrono...facts/harrison
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Harrison
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Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
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Aug 29, 2015, 10:04 PM
#5
Member

Originally Posted by
OhDark30

WUS travelling watch astride the two hemispheres at Greenwich
Actually, you are about 100metres too far west
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Aug 29, 2015, 10:06 PM
#6
It's the final countdown! PM me before they're all gone!

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Aug 29, 2015, 10:14 PM
#7
Member

Originally Posted by
OhDark30
How come? :-)
Apparently GPS tech now puts 0° around 100m to the East of the current mark.
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Aug 29, 2015, 10:15 PM
#8
A watchmaking mystery - to me at least.
Cool!
Although, as a Brit, I think that the rest of the world should be adjusted to fit 
Didn't they find that Hawaii was 4 miles out of position too?
It's the final countdown! PM me before they're all gone!

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Aug 29, 2015, 10:16 PM
#9

Originally Posted by
OhDark30
How come? :-)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33919429

Originally Posted by
Dark30
Cool!
Although, as a Brit, I think that the rest of the world should be adjusted to fit
Didn't they find that Hawaii was 4 miles out of position too?
I think by my calculations, at this time of night , you yourself are 4.2metres west of where you should be 
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Aug 29, 2015, 10:18 PM
#10

Originally Posted by
ro63rto
Apparently GPS tech now puts 0° around 100m to the East of the current mark.
The same satnafs that send trucks down dead ends/cliffs/etc perhaps