DELTA: This is difference between the case serial numbers between each clock in the database. It is very useful for quickly seeing the "gaps" between each clock and serves to adjust the dating tables.
CASE SER. NO.: For the Atmos I clocks, this is the number stamed on the back support strap that holds the mercury motor drum. This number is the one that Reutter and then JLC used for manufacturing control; it was only stamped on after the clock had passed Q.C. tests.
MVMT. SER. NO.: This is the serial number stamped on the front plate of the clock movements. For the Atmos I, the first movements up to about case serial number 2500 did not have serial numbers, being known as the "Cluses" movements. After case number 2500 the Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 30"A movement was used, starting with serial number 1001 (current best guess).
MVMT. CALIBRE: For the Atmos I, this will be either "CLUSES" or "30"A". About 400 of the early Cluses movement clocks were retrofitted with the Calibre 30"A JLC movement, we have recorded three of those so far.
MODEL: This is a model number as taken from "Living on Air", the book by Jean Lebet, or from partial catalog and sales flyer info that has been found so far. These may change when we find more catalog info.
**RATING ADJ.: This refers to how the time adjustment is made for the clock. All of the Reutter Atmos found so far have a rod extending to the back of the clock wih a knurled knob having a "S-F" marking. The "R" stands for "Rear" facing, this changed to a "F" or "Front" facing in the late Atmos II's, then was replaced by a short lever adjustment in the Atmos III's and a long lever adjustment in the Atmos IV's.
BALANCE DESIGN: This refers to the designation for various pendulum disc designs as listed in "Living on Air" page 51. The Atmos I clocks had either the model "F" original chronometer style pendulum, or a ribbed solid rim disc pendulum that "surprisingly" isn't identified in the book even though several clocks are pictured with that pendulum. I have shown it a "NIB" (Not In Book).
**BUBBLE LEVEL .. "Y" .. "N": These two fields were inserted specifically for the Atmos II models and are not applicable to the Atmos I's. This refers to the spirit bubble level that is in the base of most Atmos clocks. The first one we have documented so far is in a Atmos II made in 1942.
DIAL DESIGN: This is a field for description of the dial. I've highlighted one of them for a Atmos II, should have done it for a Atmos I as there is more info on those dials. The example reads "Silv. Ø Chapter Ring, Upright Applique Black Arabic, Black Pointer". This means "Silvered finish round chapter ring, with upright appliqued black arabic numbers, and black pointer hands". In most descriptions there is also something about what is shown for ID, such as "Atmos Pendule Perpetuelle, Brevets J. L. Reutter". In fact this field should most likely be split into 3 or 4 fields to ensure we have an accurate description of all the info about or on the dial.
DIAL NO. LAYOUT: There are five fields under this header, as follows:
ALL BAT: This means all batons to indicate the hours, no numbers
ROLL 12: This means there are 12 numbers, placed in rolling style around
the chapter ring. Some call these "tumbling" numbers.
UPR. 12: This means there are 12 numbers, all placed upright around the
chapter ring. Some are painted on, some appliques, etc, those variations
are described in the dial design field.
ROLL. QTR.: This means there are four numbers (3, 6, 9, 12) placed in
rolling fashion around the chapter ring, with batons between.
UPR. QTR.: This means there are four numbers (3, 6, 9, 12) placed upright
around the chapter ring, with batons between.
CABINET DESIGN: A brief description of the clock case, with pertinent detail described.
CLASSIC CASES: There are three data fields under this header to describe
how you can access the dial or back of the clock. These were originally
intended only for Atmos II and higher but have been extended to the Atmos I.
LIFT: These are clocks with a "lift-off" top cover.
SWG: These are clocks that have a swinging door. All of these recorded so
far have both front and back doors.
PRE: These are clocks that have a spring-loaded press fit glass door that
presses down to lift out of the front.
SOURCE: This is general info regarding where the data for a particular clock came from (e.g. eBay). For about the last three years I have also started indicating when the data was acquired (YYMM, e.g. 0702). Any special notes or other info is put here.
**DELTA S/N's: This is a calculated field that subtracts the movement serial numbers from the case serial numbers. This has been used to correlate the manufacturing dates as well as to generate a projection of the first Calibre 30"A serial number and thus how many movements were used to retrofit to the original Cluses movement clocks.
**DATA AVAIL: This is again a calculated field that uses a query to determine if the line entry has a DELTA S/N. It generates a "1" or "0" for yes or no. At the bottom of the Atmos II data where JLC switched to movement serial numbers only, I have a calculated field that generates the sum total of DELTA S/N's and divides by the total number of samples to obtain an average delta. This is used in my dating correlations.
I have not included any photo fields, however the following MINIMUM should be used:
Presented by: John Hubby
Friday, February 9, 2007