This is my version of Dr. Michael Adler's design based on the Sinclair Harding clock produced several years ago.
Having examined the original Harrison Clocks at Greenwich, as well as an exquisite reproduction of H3 in Sydney during 2007, I am sure that the complexity of the originals is beyond the scope of Meccano.
The Sinclair Harding takes the approach of reproducing the grasshopper escapement so that its action may be studied. I saw an example of a real Sinclair Harding on a recent visit to the UK and Michael has captured it well with this design.
I built this clock as part of a presentation to the NAWCCA at their Regional in Sydney last year. Built in Melbourne and shipped by road to Sydney, I am told it started working immediately it was unpacked and powered up.
It remained in Sydney on display in a gallery for several months, where it operated continuously, passing the ultimate test of usability.
On the day it was returned to me, I looked up in time to see the van driver drag the case across the floor of his van, right it with a hefty thump before marching down my drive. Upon reaching my front door, he dropped the carrying case onto the concrete landing from about 75 mm in the air.
Wondering which part of FRAGILE he did not understand, I unpacked my clock and set it up. A slight displacement of one of the balances brought the movement to life: a tribute to the sound design and Jack Parsisson's excellent travelling case.
Since then it has been an essential part of my exhibition displays, where it always attracts much interest from visitors to the MMCI stand, many standing as if mesmerised by the action of balances and the grasshopper pallets.
