Seaside Tide Clock

What is a tide clock?

A tide clock is a specialized timepiece designed to track the tidal cycle rather than the typical 24-hour day. It indicates the ebb and flow of ocean tides, making it useful for coastal residents, boaters, fishermen, and anyone who needs to keep track of the tides.

How a Tide Clock Works:

1. Tidal Cycle: The key to understanding a tide clock is the tidal cycle, which typically lasts about 12 hours and 25 minutes. This is the time it takes for the tide to go from high to low and back to high again, corresponding to the gravitational effects of the moon and, to a lesser extent, the sun.

2. Clock Mechanism: A tide clock has a single hand that completes a full cycle every 12 hours and 25 minutes. This hand points to various positions on the clock face that indicate "high tide," "low tide," 

3. Setting the Clock: To use a tide clock, it must be initially set to match the local high tide time at a specific location. This is usually done by consulting a tide chart or using local knowledge of high tide timings. Once set, the tide clock will continue to indicate the tide's state, although it may require periodic adjustments due to the slight variations in tidal cycles over time.

Hand-assembled in France by Ocean Clock

Clock dimensions - diameter 31cm / 12.2 inches 

Depth 4cm / 1.5 inches

Materials - Beech wood - FSC, mineral glass

Running on a single AA battery - not provided