Duuuude, I can't believe I have to say this:

I can't think without pictures.

( )

Which model and what price?

 

I don't know about 'cool'; looks is a personal thing. But for me, that doesn't work.

Technically, it must be an interesting piece, but aesthetically it is somewhat hard on my eye. A bit too much blown-up measurements of a smaller version, something like that.
Like this car (I actually considered to buy this one), the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Technically supposed to be a very good car. A a dinky-Toy for grown-ups....



My2Ksh
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I have always been fascinated by these Atmos clocks. I find that they have a lot of class and I plan on getting one as soon as I settle down.

I recently inquired about the transport issue and was told that there is a clasp/lever at the bottom to protect the clock during transport. The clock was originally sold with a cary case and if you're lucky you can get one that comes with this original box. As you stated there are many variations and taste is dependant.

I've included a few examples for sale on the local forums in Switzerland.

 

Plus the models have not changed much in time. The second hand Atmos are great value for money when compared what they go for these days.

http://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/eu/fr/watches/atmos.html

 

Yes they have a lever on the bottom which locks the whole mechanism in place for transporting. They are supposed to be very sensitive to movement so must always be well packed when sending in the post.

The older models provide incredible value for what you get, considering the new ones in the JLC boutiques look practically the same.

If looking at getting one I would definitely go for one which has been recently serviced as I understand that repairs on these cost an arm or maybe leg. There are a few eBay sellers which specialise in Atmos clocks.

 

Not to get off into the weeds but I've owned 2 of these. Ordered the first as soon as I could. Fell in love with the concept at a new car show in 2005. Production model was very close to the concept which is rare. Ran the first one over 200K miles and gave it to my son. My 2nd is now over 200K miles. Bulletproof. Very reliable. Outward vision is a little quirky. 1 cup holder. 1 power outlet. No carpet. It screamed childhood Tonka Toy so I had to have it. I would buy another but they are no longer in production and the used prices have gone up beyond reason

 

Very cool, very interesting technology. A ton of pendulum hung from a thread going round and round rather than back and forth......

If purchasing one it must be in good working order and it must be transported correctly. It might be better to find a clock maker/dealer who is experienced with them and let him locate one for you. This route may cost more but may pay dividends in the long run in reliability.

My clockmaker buddy handed me a new bellows for one of these last year.... a huge thing that weighs nothing..... a bit weird when you're used to great honking barrels of clock spring. Like I said.... really cool little machines, using atmospheric pressure changes to wind itself...... makes you wonder.... if you have a good feed of beans could you overwind one by standing next to it and um... well.... "venting"?

 

Check out this thread on these clocks. Servicing is expensive so get one that has already been serviced. Also, assure that the finish of the metal is in good condition.

 

I have had an interest in these in the past because of my interest in JLC along with the coolness factor, but the servicing was a deal breaker for me.

 

They talk about the Atmos at 4:12 in this JLC video.

 

Leave it outside? Not sure about that.

Barometric pressure should be the same inside.

 

It is the variations of temperature that causes the bellows to expand/contract, not pressure. Wikipedia.

 

"It gets the energy it needs to run from temperature and atmospheric pressure changes in the environment, and can run for years without human intervention."

Thanks for the Wiki link, I was thinking it was pressure only.

 

In fact atmospheric pressure variation is minor contributor to winding the clock. I pasted a graph of variations of vapor pressure versus temperature of the gas in the Atmos bellows (ethyl chloride). We see that the slope of that curve is 0.0524, meaning the pressure exerted inside the bellows varies by 5% for each degree of change of temperature. Assuming that a typical household has variation of 3 degrees Celsius within a day then pressure varies by 15%. Atmospheric pressure rarely varies more than 1% within a day, so we see that it has little influence on winding the clock. Here are other links here and here on the workings of the clock.