![]() The most stunning worldtimer seen at the SIHH was the new platinum version of Greubel Forsey’s GMT, crowned by a spectacular three-dimensional globe accompanying an inclined 24-second tourbillon. And the Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendar watch boasts a flying tourbillon surrounded by a multi-tier circular display for the perpetual calendar powered by a mechanism that is almost entirely free from the typical levers and springs. The Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month was the star of IWC’s renewed diver collection, boasting a digital date/month display water-resistant to 100 meters. The Montblanc Meisterstück Heritage Perpetual Calendar, with its highly attractive price point and classic looks, embodied the brand’s new positioning under the leadership of new CEO Jérôme Lambert. Several star timepieces at the SIHH featured perpetual calendars or worldtimers. In 1884, the Earth was divided into twenty-four time zones. The lunisolar calendar was reformed in 1582 under Pope Gregory XIII, leading to the Gregorian calendar now used all over the world. The alternation of daylight and darkness caused by the Earth’s rotation on its axis was the basic unit for tracking time in every ancient civilization. It combines a planetarium, a zodiac and several calendars – and inspired the advent of the Hublot Antikythera a couple of years ago. The enigmatic Antikythera Mechanism dates from the second half of the second century BC (between 150 and 100 BC) and is the oldest surviving geared machine in the world, used to represent the cosmos and perform both astronomical and calendar-related calculations. It is the father of all moon-phase displays. Dated circa 1600 BC and named after the part of Germany near where it was found in 1999, the Nebra Sky Disc is the oldest known depiction of the sky and features 32 heavenly bodies – among them the Sun, a crescent Moon and the Pleiades constellation – in gold on a bronze 32-centimeter disc. Two historical pieces particularly stand out in the “Horology, a Child of Astronomy” exhibition and the corresponding book. After being held at SalonQP in London and Belles Montres in Paris, the exhibition was staged at the Palexpo during the 25th edition of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie – and one of the show’s major trends (alongside the race to ultra-thinness and the Métiers d’Art craze) was precisely related to astronomical indications, with several prominent models highlighting the Earth, the Moon, the Sun and the cosmos. The evident and historical connection between the two led the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie – with the contribution of noted historians Dominique Fléchon and Grégory Gardinetti – to promote an itinerant exhibition titled “Horology, a Child of Astronomy”. ![]() If astronomy is the discipline that studies the working principles of our solar system, horology is the art of measuring time. The urge to master the space-time environment inspired the first calendars of Antiquity, based on the apparent cyclical movement of the heavenly bodies. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or simply curious about the mysteries of the universe, we invite you to experience the wonder and excitement of the night sky at Western Australia’s oldest observatory.Was there ever a more primal source of fascination than the celestial dome? Since the beginning of Mankind, the passage from day to night with the Sun giving way to the Moon, plus a full array of stars and constellations, had enabled humans to find some logic in the apparent chaos of the ethereal, including through establishing cycles of time characterized by the changes of the seasons, the tides and the phases of the Moon. Since July 2015, the Observatory has been run under a community partnership agreement between the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Perth Observatory Volunteer Group, ensuring that our doors remain open to the public for years to come. Our commitment to public education is unwavering, and we remain actively involved in sharing our knowledge and passion with visitors of all ages. ![]() As a result, visitors can experience not only the stunning beauty of the night sky but also the rich history and cultural significance that comes with such a renowned institution. Recognised for its scientific, cultural, and historical significance, the Observatory was entered into the state’s Heritage Register in 2005. For over 125 years, our Observatory has been a hub for astronomical discovery and public education, providing visitors with a unique window into the wonders of the universe. Welcome to Western Australia’s oldest observatory, located just 25 km east of Perth in Perth’s secret garden, the suburb of Bickley. ![]()
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