The Firmamentum measurement and navigation instrument from the Heritage Watch Manufactory.

The Firmamentum is a unique measurement and navigation instrument.

Fully in the tradition of the historic watches used for observation, it not only measures the earth’s rotation, thus giving the classic measurement of time, but with the aid of the hour angle it permits measuring the movement of the sun and planets in our solar system as well as that of the stars. The hour angle based on the sun — the solar hour angle — can be simultaneously read off two displays. A unique mechanism with a variable-speed of gear train has permitted the second display to be designed such that it can immediately be changed over to display the hour angle based on the stars — the sidereal hour angle — by a push-button located at the 2 o’clock position.

Firmamentum therefore not only permits the simultaneous observation of two heavenly bodies within our solar system, but also the observation of the sun or a planet in our solar system as well as a star external to it. Both displays have been designed such that they not only show angular degrees directly, but also the solar and sidereal hours and minutes as used by astronomers. At the same time, the hours, minutes and seconds can be read off just as in a normal watch, while in addition the fixed solar time display has been conceived such that it can be used for a second time zone with a 24-hour display accurate to the minute. The various methods of navigation can be directly read off from the dial of the Firmamentum in a truly unique fashion.

The Firmamentum also has a second push-button integrated at the 4 o’clock position that synchronizes the time in accordance with a time signal. The power reserve indicator brings the underlying data of the watch to the fore. A stop lever halts operation of the watch movement after a running time of 56 hours.

The Firmamentum Technical Specifications:

• Type:
  Hour angle instrument for the observation of heavenly bodies by means of 13 hands with two additional displays
• Hands:
  Hour angle variable for either sidereal and solar time, arcdegrees, arcminutes, 5 / 100 arcseconds
  Solar time hour angle display in arcdegrees, arcminutes, 5/100 arcseconds
  Power reserve display with balance wheel stop mechanism
  Status display for basic regulation of Vivax balance wheel
  Display of solar time as astronomical time
  Second time zone settable to one minute of accuracy
  Time in solar or sidereal time
  Status of sidereal or solar time with variable hour angle, synchronisation mode
• Movement:
  Independent manufacture Calibre: Cal. 870
  Hand bevelled plates
  3 patents pending
  Fully hardened parts
  483 components
  92 jewels
  Swiss lever escapement; capillary phase to improve oil retention
  Mass-regulated Vivax balance / 16 mm / patent pending
  Over-coil hairspring (Breguet)
  Tenere fine adjustment / patent pending
  18 000 vib/h
  56-hour power reserve
• Case:
  Polished satinised steel, 50 m
  Domed sapphire glass crystal
  Flat sapphire glass caseback

The Heritage Watch Manufactory produces extremely precise mechanical wristwatches. In order to guarantee the outstanding accuracy and extraordinary longevity that sets these timepieces apart, the company works only with movements that it has itself designed and with very carefully selected materials. It goes without saying that these movements are only to be found in chronometers made by the Heritage Watch Manufactory. The company, which is privately owned, was founded in the Swiss city of Neuchâtel in September 2010.

“We decided on Switzerland for two reasons. Firstly, the seal 100 % Swiss Made is for us a declaration and also a commitment to the highest level of craftsmanship, the very best quality and absolute exclusivity. Secondly, by being located here we can safeguard our quality requirements by direct and immediate contact with every single supplier,” explains Christian Gütermann, Member of the Board representing the owners. To ensure that every single timepiece incorporates not only perfect materials and workmanship but also the most exquisitely precise adjustment, manufacturing is strictly limited.

Christian Gütermann continues: “We build our watches for connoisseurs. For those who, like us, have succumbed to the fascination of mechanical techniques and the true art of chronometry.”