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Desktop Celestial Tide Dial
Desktop Celestial Tide Dial
Desktop Celestial Tide Dial
Desktop Celestial Tide Dial

Bought a replica of a 16th century nocturnal tide computer dial (measures tides using the moon and tells the time using the stars at night) from uncommongoods, made by Hemisferium. What an intricate and intriguing piece of history and even the box it came in is beautiful! #antique #maritime #astronomy #historicalwonders #sciencehistory

Desktop Celestial Tide Dial

A replica of the 16th-century tool that uses the moon to measure tidal cycles and tell the time.

$45.00 - $95.00

High quality Beautifully crafted Unique gift Fun to use Perfect for sailors Great for history lovers

Uncommon Perks

Delivery dates vary, select an item for an arrival estimate

What Makes It Uncommon

If you can believe it, there was a time when humans did all kinds of complex computations without computers. This desktop gadget is a prime example. Available in two sizes, it’s a replica of a tidal abacus from 1570 that currently resides in a museum. It uses the moon to calculate the tidal cycles, and on the large model, the back side is a nocturnal dial that uses fixed stars to tell the time.

  • Both dials are accurate, fully functional tools that don’t require an electrical outlet.
  • Each size features a handsome Sapele mahogany base—all the more reason to display one on your desk or in your beach house.
  • Comes with detailed specs about the use of the dial and its history.
  • Made in Spain.

Usually ships within 24 hours.

See all shipping options and costs

Shipping outside of the U.S.? You will be quoted a specific delivery timeframe at checkout, based on your destination country and the available shipping methods. See International FAQ for more info.

Sadly, we are unable to ship to APO, FPO, or DPO addresses at this time. We are working towards a solution that will allow us to resume this type of shipping.

Need to return? Free returns are accepted forever—no time limits. Within 30 days of delivery, refunds to the original payment method will be available. After 30 days, refunds will be processed to a digital gift card. See our return policy for more details.

Made from

zamac, sapelli wood

Measurements

Large: 5" dia. face ; Petite: 5" H (including hanger), 2" dia. face

Care

Dust with a dry cloth. Avoid using abrasive sponges, as well as brass-cleaning creams. If desired, use natural wax or furniture wax to treat the wooden base only.

Item ID

56345

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High quality Beautifully crafted Unique gift Fun to use Perfect for sailors Great for history lovers

People love this product for its high quality and beautifully crafted design, making it a unique and fun gift for sailors and history enthusiasts.

AI generated summary

  • 5 stars out of 5

    My dad loved it - he's learning to use it now and says it will be usef…

    • Happy daughter
    • Yuba County, CA

    read full review

  • 5 stars out of 5

    Very high quality. The recipient, an avid sailor, loved it.

    • Tigerlili
    • NYC

    read full review

  • 5 stars out of 5

    Small but lovely gift. It was ell crafted and a hit.

    • Mdb
    • Virginia

    read full review

4.55
4.55 stars out of 5
based on 20 reviews
78%
of respondents would
recommend this to a friend
5 stars
16 users rating this 5 stars
4 stars
0 users rating this 4 stars
3 stars
3 users rating this 3 stars
2 stars
1 users rating this 2 stars
1 star
0 users rating this 1 star
  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Happy daughter
  • verified buyer
  • verified reviewer
  • Yuba County, CA
  • Submitted as an incentivized review

Great for a historian and a sailor

My dad loved it - he's learning to use it now and says it will be useful when he's sailing, but he and I are both just big history nerds so he might just be wanting to use it for the nerd cred ;) Either way, it's gorgeous and comes with an instruction booklet that also contains the history of the original, and was a really great birthday present!

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Tigerlili
  • verified reviewer
  • NYC

Beautiful - exceeded expectations

Very high quality. The recipient, an avid sailor, loved it.

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Mdb
  • verified buyer
  • verified reviewer
  • Virginia
  • Submitted as an incentivized review

Nice gift!

Small but lovely gift. It was ell crafted and a hit.

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Allie
  • verified reviewer
  • Bellingham

Beautifully crafted tool from yesterday

It was the best gift for a friend who loves vintage boating goods. It goes brilliantly in their wood and brass collection. And it's fun to use. #sweepstakes

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Allie
  • verified reviewer
  • Bellingham

Beautifully made tool from yesterday

It was the perfect gift for a friend who loves old nautical things. It goes brilliantly in the deep wood and brass shop they have. It is perfect and so fun to use.

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Scott in Tampa Bay
  • verified reviewer
  • Clearwater, FL

Very high quality

It looks great in a room with a nautical or seaside motif. Astronomers might also enjoy it.

  • 3 stars out of 5
  • rhdad42
  • Tybee Island, GA

Looks Beautiful But Not Useful - Can't Figure It Out

We love the look of the device (we have the Large) but the instructions are woefully inadequate. I think the history of the device is interesting, but one unclear paragraph about how to set and use it just doesn't cut it.

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • The girlfriend
  • verified reviewer
  • NJ

Stunning gift

The item was lovely. Perfect gift for my fisherman boyfriend. It came with history about the tidal clock and instructions on how to read it. It's sentiment was appreciated. And it makes a very masculine desk piece. #sweepstakes

  • 2 stars out of 5
  • Landscaper
  • verified reviewer
  • Tampa Fl

Tidal instrumentation

Nearly impossible to figure out how to operate this device. I thought it would be a fun item to give to someone and this many days and weeks past Christmas. I still can't figure out how to work it.

Response from merchant

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience. We’re sorry to hear that you’ve had difficulty figuring out how to operate the device. We completely understand how frustrating this must be, especially when it was intended as a fun gift. Our team is here to help! We’ll follow up shortly with clear instructions to guide you through operating the device. If there are any specific questions or challenges you’d like us to address, please let us know so we can provide the most helpful support. Thank you for your patience, and we’ll be in touch soon with the details you need.

  • 3 stars out of 5
  • LON
  • verified reviewer
  • Tampa Florida

Tidal dial

Cool looking but impossible to learn to work: I'm going to call customer service and ask for help

customer photos

Desktop Celestial Tide Dial from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.Desktop Celestial Tide Dial from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.

photos from reviews

  • Desktop Celestial Tide Dial from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • Desktop Celestial Tide Dial from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • undisclosed

Does the celestial tide dial actually say, "Made in Spain" anywhere on it?

Verified reply from Maxienne

No, it only has the brand name "Hemisferium" and the name of the original maker "H. Cole" on it.

  • Yachats OR

Will this work on the west coast of the US for the Pacific Ocean?

Verified reply from Jen

Yes it does!

  • Westbrook, ME

Does it work?

Verified reply from Michelle

Yes! They are fully functional!

  • undisclosed

Does the Celestial Tide Dial come with the base? On description it says it does but on cart description it says dial only.

Verified reply from Allison

Yes! It arrives on the base in the photo.

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