An Orrery That Chimes — Earth, Moon and Zodiac in Motion
The Tellurium IV is the most complete piece Hermle makes: an astronomical clock and a Westminster chiming clock in one. Its mechanism appears to float inside a glass cube, above a milled rosette rondeau that carries the twelve zodiac signs and the date.
The Heavens, Mechanically
The clock reproduces the earth's annual orbit of the sun while the earth turns on its own axis every 24 hours. The moon circles the earth every 29.5 days, showing its phase as seen from our planet. Across the year the flat disc tracks the earth's passage through all twelve zodiac signs, the months and the individual days.
And the Westminster Chime, on Four Bells
On the quarter hour it strikes the Westminster chime — the melody of Big Ben — on four polished bells. An automatic night shut-off quiets it through sleeping hours.
Specifications
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Movement: Nickel-plated 8-day spring-wound mechanical movement
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Escapement: Swiss 11-jewel escapement — the jewelling technique of fine wristwatches, reducing friction and extending working life
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Astronomical display: Earth's yearly orbit and 24-hour rotation; the moon orbiting 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: Nickel
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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.
Is the movement mechanical or quartz?
Fully mechanical: a nickel-plated 8-day spring-wound movement, hand-wound, with no electricity or battery.
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 brass version?
The movement and specifications are identical. Only the finish differs: nickel gives a cooler, more contemporary shine, while brass has a warm, classic tone.
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.
How does it differ from the Astrolabium?
Both are astronomical clocks, but the Astrolabium runs on a quartz movement and simply displays the heavens. The Tellurium IV is fully mechanical, carries a Swiss jewelled escapement, and adds the Westminster chime on four bells — an orrery and a chiming clock in a single piece.
Does it need servicing?
Yes, like any precision mechanical movement — a specialist clockmaker should inspect and oil it every few years. That is what keeps it running for decades.
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.
