Tide Clocks

How a Tide Clock works

A Lunar Tide Quartz Movement is a relatively simple and accurate instrument. It is designed to rotate at 12 hours 25 minutes to synchronise with the Moon’s lunar cycle as it is the magnetic or gravitation pull of the Moon as the major controlling factor affecting the tidal pattern on Earth.  As the lunar period has a variable attraction during its 29.53 Earth Day’s, depending on its distance from Earth affects the height of the tides, i.e. Spring Tides, which in turn can make tidal times vary. The basic tides do settle back and will return to be synchronised with the lunar cycle. So it is easy to confirm that a Tide Clock is operating correctly, by comparing it with a standard chronological 12 hour clock in 12 hours 25 minutes the indicator should indicate the same position.

How to Set your Tide Clock

On the day of the next Full or New Moon obtain your local high tide time, this information is usually found in local newspapers, tide tables, or online eg: https://www.tidetime.org/europe/united-kingdom/ . Knowing the time of the Full or New Moon, will help you set it during the a.m. or p.m. for even greater accuracy. Using the “adjust wheel” at the back of the tide clock movement, turn it clockwise until the indicator points to the High Tide {12 o’clock position} at the published local high tide time. Insert a fresh AA Battery ensuring it is seated correctly and firmly in the battery compartment.