Hackaday · Creativity & design

3D-Printed Recreation of Pope's Silent Clock Mechanism

A modern maker has recreated a 17th-century silent clock mechanism, originally commissioned by Pope Alexander VII, using 3D-printed plastic.

Commissioned in 1656 by Pope Alexander VII, who disliked the ticking sound of traditional clocks, the original silent timepiece was created by Fratelli Campani. Watchmaker Carlo G. Croce documented his brass recreation of the mechanism, and a modern version was made using extruded plastic by Many Vices.

The key to the silent operation is an eccentric crank escapement, which provides continuous movement, unlike the traditional anchor escapement that produces the 'tick-tock' sound. Croce's video demonstrates the difference in sound and highlights the power inefficiency of the crank escapement, resulting in shorter runtimes.

While modifications like a linear-rail spring pendulum were explored, they did not significantly improve runtime compared to traditional clockwork. The persistence of the anchor escapement for centuries suggests its greater efficiency, despite its audible ticking.

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