The inventor of the chronometer, the subject of this book, is the John Harrison I referred to earlier in the first post. There are two editions of the book and it is well worth having the later 1998 edition in hardcover for its quality and added illustrations: Sobel and Andrews, The Illustrated Longitude: The True Story of the Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time http://www.amazon.com/Illustrated-Lon... (I don't know what the quality of the paper edition of this revised version is.)

Chronometers are super accurate clocks, which were necessary for navigating long voyages, and were still in widespread use into about the 1970s. They became obsolete with the use of quartz crystals once the problems of corrosion in the electronics in salt air was solved well after electronic watches were becoming popular. There were only a handful of horologists -- experts who could repair and restore the mechanical chronometers -- left by then and collectors and yachtsmen had to ship their navigation time pieces across the country or internationally for repairs and restoration. I don't know how they do it now. There must be a few left somewhere.

Thanks for adding your insight. Worth more than just a +1 IMHO!

But that will be very important. In the New Era of People's Justice the trains will run on time.

lol.

Reminds me of the scene from Disney's Hercules where the guy jumps out, spreads his cloak and says "Wanna buy a sundial?"

You already have an 80 year watch on your wrist -- a pulse.

Digital technology is all dependent on batteries. This would still work if the power went out.

And there will always be a market for luxury watches.

As to the technical details, they mentioned they were still working out issues with positioning and shocks, so until they get a working model for sale, it's still theory. Pretty cool theory, just unrealized.