Astronomical Desk Clock Suspended in a Glass Cube — It Turns, and It Chimes
A mechanism that seems to hang in mid-air inside a cube of glass. And inside it, the whole cosmos turns.
The Tellurium IV brings modern and classical together in a futuristic form. A milled rosette rondeau carries the twelve zodiac signs and the date, above a uniquely turned dial with a separate seconds dial of its own.
It reproduces the earth's annual orbit of the sun while the earth turns on its axis every 24 hours, and the moon circles the earth every 29.5 days, showing its phases as they appear from our planet. Across the year, the flat disc tracks the earth's passage through the zodiac signs, the months and the individual days.
And on every quarter hour it strikes the Westminster chime — the melody of Big Ben — on four polished bells.
What Sets It Apart
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Swiss 11-jewel escapement — the jewelling technique of fine wristwatches, reducing friction and extending working life
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Mechanism suspended in a glass cube — a design that makes the movement appear to float
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Westminster chime on four bells — the Big Ben melody rung from metal that resonates, not an electronic speaker
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A complete orrery — earth, moon and zodiac in mechanical motion
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8-day mechanical movement — spring-wound, no electricity and no battery
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Automatic night shut-off — the chime quiets itself through sleeping hours
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Brass finish — the warmth of a classic metal
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Made in Germany — by Hermle of Gosheim, since 1922
Specifications
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Product type: Mechanical astronomical desk clock with chime
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Model: Tellurium IV
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Movement: 8-day spring-wound mechanical movement
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Escapement: Swiss 11-jewel escapement
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Astronomical display: The earth's yearly orbit and its 24-hour rotation; the moon circling every 29.5 days with its phases; the twelve zodiac signs, months and days on a flat disc
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Chime: Quarterly Westminster chime on four polished bells
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Night shut-off: Automatic
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Dial: Uniquely turned dial with a separate seconds dial
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Case: Mechanism suspended within a glass cube, milled rosette rondeau
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Dimensions: 37 × 34 × 34 cm (H × W × D)
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Finish: Brass
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Origin: Made in Germany
Care Instructions
- Wind the movement at the interval stated for the model, always at the same time of day.
- Move the hands forward only, pausing at every chime or strike until it completes.
- Dust the case with a soft, dry cloth; use a wood-appropriate polish on wooden cases only.
- Clean the glass with a cloth lightly dampened with glass cleaner — never spray directly onto the clock.
- Keep away from radiators, direct sunlight, and humidity, and have the movement serviced by a specialist every few years.
Perfect Gift For
A gift that marks time itself — fitting for weddings, retirements, corporate anniversaries, and the handing over of an office or a home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Tellurium?
A mechanical model of the solar system — an orrery. It shows the earth orbiting the sun over a year while rotating on its axis every 24 hours, and the moon circling the earth every 29.5 days with its changing phase. A flat disc tracks the zodiac, the months and the days.
What is the Westminster chime?
A sequence of four musical phrases played on the quarter hour, best known as the melody of Big Ben in London. This clock plays it on four polished bells.
What does a Swiss 11-jewel escapement mean?
Synthetic ruby bearings are set at the points of greatest friction in the movement, exactly as in fine wristwatches, and the escapement itself is Swiss-made. They reduce wear, hold accuracy, and extend the working life of the mechanism.
Can the chime be quieted?
An automatic night shut-off silences the chime through sleeping hours on its own.
How often does it need winding?
Every 8 days — a full week of running on a single winding.
How does it differ from the nickel version?
The movement and specifications are identical. Only the finish differs: brass gives a warm, classic tone, while nickel has a cooler, more contemporary shine.
How does it differ from the Tellurium 1?
They are different models. The Tellurium IV is larger at 37 × 34 × 34 cm, has its mechanism suspended in a glass cube, and carries a Swiss jewelled escapement. The Tellurium 1 is smaller at 35 × 29 cm and adds a full manual chime shut-off lever alongside the automatic night shut-off.
Does it need servicing?
Yes, like any precision mechanical movement — a specialist clockmaker should inspect and oil it every few years.
About Hermle
Franz Hermle & Sohn was founded in 1922 in Gosheim, in Germany's clockmaking heartland near the Black Forest. Within a decade it had become one of the most advanced makers of clock movements in Europe, and it remains among the world's largest manufacturers of mechanical movements. Now in its third generation, Hermle builds every movement in Germany and supplies clockmakers across the globe.
