The Geared Water Clock

A method of keeping time like the ancient egyptians used

Mechanics & Inner Workings

A reservoir of water flows down a small tube that is limited by a small stopper. It flows down into a secondary chamber which pushes up a floater that is connected to a rack. This turns a small gear that rotates a single needle around a clock face that denotes the hour. Every full rotation it opens the secondary chamber to be emptied. Some variations even have markings on the face to delineate the hour into four quarters. Read as "Five quarter one" or "half past 6" or "quarter till 9". The faces container two sets of 12 hours, one for the day and one for the night.

Manufacturing process

An experienced glassblower and metalworker is needed as the glass tubes must be pulled to a correct length and diameter, and matching a gear and a rack is not an easy job by hand. This usually happens between two or even three craftsmen as few people have all the necessary skills and experience to craft one by theirs elves.

History

It was originally invented by the Gilded Empire during their reign over Embrosia, eventually it was phased out for magically powered clocks however it has now been rediscovered by the nations who inhabit Embrosia and still exists as a popular timepiece among the most affluent.

Rarity

Because of its price only those who are very wealthy can afford such a time piece. As such they are usually only found in the homes of the wealthy who can afford it and hire help to refill it often.

Dimensions

14x8"

Base Price

400 gp

Raw materials & Components

Its materials are fairly mundane, simple glass and metal for the working parts and a wooden frame and clock face are used. Some rubber as well for the stopper and other components that are in the water.

Tools

Typical glassblowers tools and some metalworking tools should be enough to craft the basic components. Additional decoration and finishing with other materials can call for more tools.

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