Where can I see a Decimal Time Clock?

June 11, 2023 4:26 PM

I'm fascinated by the idea that the French revolution not only invented new base 10 Metric measurements for distance and volume but also for time. Are there many clocks that remain from the brief period where the French revolution tried using 10 day weeks with 10 hours per day. Are there any museums or monuments where I could see one of these clocks? Decimal time wikipedia
posted by vegetableagony to Science & Nature (8 answers total)

The Khalili Collection has one, although I don't think it's on active display anywhere at the moment -- but you could keep an eye out for an exhibition.
posted by aramaic at 5:11 PM on June 11, 2023 [1 favorite]

Best answer: The Fitzwilliam Museum also has a decimal clock from the French revolution. In has been in an exhibition in the past, but like the one linked to by aramaic, I do not believe it is currently on display.
posted by RichardP at 5:17 PM on June 11, 2023 [2 favorites]

I’ve seen a collection on display in the Musée des Arts et Metiers in Paris (admittedly >20 years ago).
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 5:24 PM on June 11, 2023 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Further to Fiasco da Gama's suggestion, there appear to be about a half-dozen such timepieces on display in the museum galleries, and another dozen in the archives. To see more information (in French), search the collections for "décimal" and then use the "Localisation" to filter to "Musée" (rather than "Réserves".)
posted by Johnny Assay at 7:15 PM on June 11, 2023 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I think you can see the Fitzwilliam museum decimal clock! The link says it’s in Gallery 4. Will go and have a look this week :) (Wrong Cambridge for you, of course…)
posted by lokta at 4:42 AM on June 12, 2023 [2 favorites]

(I have told my kids about the decimalization of time and dates, and my kids look at me like they think I am bullshitting them. *shrug* What can I say? Nothing is weirder than people, kids.)
posted by wenestvedt at 6:15 AM on June 12, 2023

You'd need to call them to make sure, but I'd expect the Halim Time and Glass Museum in Evanston, Illinois, to have one. It's an amazing museum and is basically five stories of mostly time pieces.

Edited to add: Just noticed they're currently closed for expansion.
posted by FencingGal at 6:16 AM on June 12, 2023

Response by poster: Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.
posted by vegetableagony at 11:01 AM on June 15, 2023