December 31st 2016
will be one second longer as a leap second is added to atomic clocks everywhere
in the world. Atomic clocks are derived from a variant of the cesium atom. The
metallic element cesium ticks unfailingly at nine billion times a second. The
scale of slicing time to that atomic level is incomprehensible. The atomic
clock is the UTC (coordinated universal time) which is set by the International
Bureau of Weights and Measures located in Paris. The time is set after getting
information from about 50 countries and the average computed by consensus.
The need to add a leap second
Time is based on the
rotation of the Earth. This rotational time is divided into 86,400 seconds (24
hours x 60 minutes x 60 seconds = one day). The Earth spins slower each year
due to pull of tides and other internal factors, which create the difference
between the atomic time and exact or rotational time.
So is one second important?
Yes, in satellite
systems one-second difference is too much as navigation systems operate on the
measurement of time it takes for a signal to traverse from a receiver and a
satellite. Light travels 30 centimetres in one billionth of a second. Cellular networks will be out of sync if this time is not adjusted. So is the case with
electricity grids. Ships at sea will get lost
Fortunately our
personal timekeeping watches do not have to undergo this exactness unlike the
Shepherd 24-hour atomic clock on the gate of Greenwich's Royal Observatory in
England. The difference between rotational time and atomic clock is one hour
for 1000 years. Just a normal adjustment is required for regular watches. But
what is important is regular servicing by watchmakers.. If you happen to own a
Patek Philippe or A Lange Sohne watch then checking the Perpetual Time reviews should give you an idea of who and where to approach for reputed
servicing.
Perpetual Time reviews on
watch forums is the place to refer for knowledgeable advice on watch
restoration and service of rare watches.
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