Horological freeware

We will not suggest you an unfinished list of program files but only a few free applications we extensively used testing their reliability and usefulness.

Click on program's name to go to download page.

1) AboutTime: this utility will synchronize your computer clock with exact time given by NIST, NASA or U.S. Naval Observatory with a few milliseconds tolerance.

2) Shadows: allows drawing a very detailed flat sundial using computer, without knowing sundial theory. You can print it in large dimensions using a common small printer thanks to the ability of Shadows of splitting the plan. It will also give gnomon position and dimension.

3) Clockmaker's aid: useful to execute routine calculations in the clock workshop such as pendulum length, cutting speed, gearing modules, etc...

4) Clockani: this animated cursor will happily replace Windows' hourglass with a small clock with really oscillating pendulum! Really a small file to download.
One of our visitors sent us another pointer reproducing a grandfather clock with an oscillating pendulum that is freely available, too.
Detailed instructions on how to install the pointers can be found following the link for the first cursor.

5) Convert: a very comprehensive and user-friendly conversion utility.

6) Watch mainsprings: two Excel files we compiled with (almost!) all watch mainsprings available classified by their dimensions and movement brand name. For our fellow watchmakers.
If you don't have Microsoft Excel installed, you can download a free viewer clicking on this link.

7) Mainspring calculation: this Excel file, compiled from an idea of Bill Brown, allows to determine mainspring's size starting from the dimensions of barrel, arbor and what is most interesting, the number of turns required to run the clock for the whole winding period. It also gives the variation of torque at the end of the winding time if a different from required mainspring is used.