The Secret Life of Machines

The Secret Life of the Quartz Watch

Directed by Nigel Maslin
S2 • E3    Jan 21, 1991
All clocks and watches work by 'counting' some event which takes a fixed period of time, like the swings of a pendulum. The higher it goes the stronger the pull of gravity and the faster it comes back - so the swings always take a fixed time. The Quartz crystal in a watch vibrates at a fixed speed in a similar way.

Episode Contents:

Models: A stick. Demonstration of liquid crystal technology with metal coated glass plates and polarized sunglasses.

Machines: Many of Tim's large outdoor clocks. A water clock by Rex.

Guests: A 400 year old pendulum alarm clock. Various antique pocket watches. Different watch models track the evolution of quartz and digital watches.

Films: Goofy 1940's wristwatch commercial ("Hey kids come on a running!") Almost as silly 70's ad for the first bulky LED watch.

Extro: Oven door blooper and a melting digital watch.

Where to Watch The Secret Life of the Quartz Watch

Cast of The Secret Life of the Quartz Watch

  • Tim HunkinHimself - Presenter
  • Rex GarrodHimself - Co-Presenter
  • Nigel MaslinDirector
  • Tim HunkinWriter
  • Elizabeth QueenanProducer

 

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