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Sky Watcher Tourbillon Table Clock 3D Wood Model Kit UGEARS

Sky Watcher Tourbillon Table Clock 3D Wood Model Kit UGEARS

Regular price $89.99 USD
Regular price Sale price $89.99 USD
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Sky Watcher Tourbillon Table Clock 3D Wood Model Kit

The Clockwork Universe theory favored by 17th-century Deists held that the Earth and the heavens, and all their motions, were like a giant clock, with God as the Clockmaker. Newton's three laws of motion and the principle of universal gravitation were thought to be sufficient to explain phenomena of any kind, using mechanical conceptions. At UGears we love mechanical conceptions! And so, with a nod to Isaac Newton, we present the Sky Watcher Tourbillon Table Clock, a fascinating combination of the imaginative celestial observatory and functional table clock!

For years, UGears fans around the world clamored for us to create a functional wooden clock model. Together with the gravity-powered, wall-mounted Aero Clock, and now the spring-loaded Tourbillon Table Clock, we have doubly delivered! Clocks are complex mechanisms. We bet you never thought you could build your own clock out of wood that keeps accurate time! But with UGears models, you become a creative partner in an amazing mechanical adventure. To create this amazing DIY clock made from natural wood, our designers and engineers solved complex problems of friction, gearing, tooth strength, torsion of the clock body, and tourbillon axles under spring load. Now the challenge is yours: build, bring it to life, and become the clockmaker in your own steampunk universe.

The standout feature of this functional and beautiful wooden model table clock is the rotating tourbillon that sits on top. In wrist and pocket watches a tourbillon mechanism helps increase accuracy by counteracting the effects of gravity when the watch is stationary. By seating the escape and balance wheel within a rotating cage, slight errors in timekeeping introduced by the force of gravity are averaged out. In table clocks and wall-mounted clocks, a tourbillon often serves a more decorative purpose. This is true of the Sky Watcher Tourbillon Table Clock from UGears, where the sphere of the tourbillon has been styled to resemble a large telescope observatory scanning the celestial sphere, like those at Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Perhaps it is creating a map of the heavens? Conducting infrared studies? Or maybe searching for new planets or signs of intelligent life?

The prototype of the tourbillon was developed in 1795 by Abraham-Louis Breguet, who also succeeded in reducing the size of the mechanism and mounting it into a pocket watch. More than a century later, in 1920, the "flying tourbillon" was developed by Alfred Helwig, which opened the mechanism to view by having it mounted on only one side, endowing it with an aesthetic function. Today, there are many variations on the tourbillon mechanism, including single, double, and triple axis designs, but what is common to all designs is that they are a daunting engineering challenge, such that a watch featuring a tourbillon will fetch a significantly higher price than models that lack the mechanism. The idea that you can build your own tourbillon out of composite wood, from a DIY model kit, without the need for glue or special tools, is amazing, and amazement is what our UGears customers have come to expect.

The Sky Watcher tourbillon mechanism has three axes of rotation: around the vertical axis of the clock, the horizontal axis of the clock, and relative to the central axis of the inner sphere. The wind-up clock operates based on the accumulation of potential energy in a flat spring and the metered release of this energy. When the model is fully wound it can power the timepiece for approximately 2-3 hours, sufficient for long observation of the mesmerizing mechanism, or to provide a pleasant background ticking clock sound and visual diversion for a period of work or rest. Rather than an all-too-common clock face with hands, we have created additional interest by having the time display placed on reels. The minute reel rotates smoothly with the progress of the tourbillon, while the hour reel marks the passage of time with a percussive mechanism.

Mechanical adventure awaits when you order your Sky Watcher Tourbillon Table Clock, an exciting addition to the UGears catalog of 3D puzzles, DIY model kits, automatons, robots, wooden puzzle boxes, and STEM Lab model kits. This model kit is not for beginners but will prove a delightful challenge for more experienced modelers. When assembling your Tourbillon Table Clock, the complexity of the mechanism must be considered. Remember, to keep accurate time, your clock requires lubrication and a neat, tidy assembly. Thanks to a balance wheel, the model allows for adjustments to its timekeeping whether the clock is running fast or slow, and of course, you can set the current time on the display by turning the reels: minutes first, then hours. Your Sky Watcher clock comes with detailed, illustrated instructions in 11 languages (English, German, Ukrainian, French, Polish, Spanish, Russian, Japan, Italian, Chinese, and Korean). If you break a part during assembly, just let our customer service team know. Replacement parts are free, as part of our overall commitment to customer service.

The Sky Watcher Tourbillon Table Clock from UGears will make a handsome, fascinating addition to any home or office space. Large in conception and design, this remarkable tabletop clock is modest in size, with a tower design that won't take up much of your desk space. Even in its static state, this 3D puzzle clock is a beautiful addition to your decor and a sure-fire conversation piece. It's also a great gift idea. Give this DIY clock kit as a holiday or birthday gift to your favorite hobbyist and present them with a wonderful challenge, or if that hobbyist is you, build it as a magnificent display piece for your own mantle or home office. You could also present a completed UGears 3D puzzle clock as a special gift to a loved one, giving them a unique, handcrafted piece of art and engineering in which you have invested your time and talents.

The Sky Watcher Tourbillon Table Clock will appeal to night sky watchers, stargazers, amateur astronomers, horologists, clock and watch enthusiasts, experienced model builders, 17th century Deists, Isaac Newton stans, and anyone who appreciates superior design or a DIY challenge.

Model size: 12 x 7.1 x 6.5 in
Package size:  14.9 x 6.7 x 1.8 in
Number of parts: 338
Level: Hard 
Assembly Time: 15 hours
Recommended Age: 14+
Kit weight: 2.71 lbs

Manufacturer: UGears

UGEARS is a 2014 Ukrainian startup with a growing worldwide reputation for producing unique, self-propelled, wooden mechanical DIY models, puzzle boxes and educational toys. Each UGEARS model has its own mechanical action that will amaze and delight.

UGEARS model kits come with everything you need for assembly. All parts are laser pre-cut into a high-quality plywood board for easy removal and assembly. Motion is accomplished using rubber bands, gears and gravity. Detailed color diagrams and step-by-step instructions are provided in 11 languages to guide you through the assembly process. No glue, special expertise, tools or equipment are required. Customer service is available 24/7, with spare parts provided and shipped free of charge.

UGEARS models are works of art, marvels of mechanical engineering, and surefire conversation starters. Most models have real world analogues, others are imagination brought to life. These eye-catching beauties are ideal for display in the home or office, but they are so much more! Each UGEARS model and puzzle box has its own unique and enchanting mechanical action, to delight your family and friends. Constructors will find satisfaction in bringing the models into being with their own hands, experiencing the magical moment of "birth" when the model shows the first spark of life.

UGEARS models and 3D puzzles make the beautiful world of mechanics more comprehensible. You will be able to touch every piece, every gear cog, and discover first-hand the workings of simple machines. Experience the thrill of self-propelled mechanical action that doesn't come from an electric socket or battery. Take a voyage to a previous century, to an age of elegant machines, fine detail and old-world craftsmanship, and rediscover the pleasure of understanding how things work.

UGEARS make a wonderful hobby for constructors, and a thoughtful gift for just about anyone in your life. Our mechanical models and puzzle boxes come in three skill levels: EASY, MEDIUM and ADVANCED. Warning: our beautiful, timeless machines and mechanical puzzles can be addictive, and you may find your collection growing as you move on to more challenging builds!  UGEARS products require no glue, but we like to say there will be bonding—the bonding of family and friends working together to bring these mechanical marvels to life.
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