[Curiosities] The curious reason why Swiss train stations have the same clock

[#Steeven.™]

The simple and clear structure of these pieces is aimed at achieving maximum punctuality.

Switzerland's watchmaking fame precedes it all over the world, and it can boast of manufacturing high-quality watches admired in all corners of the planet. Another attraction for which the Alpine country is known is its complete train system, which connects the territory from one end to the other with great efficiency.

If we put both elements together, we think of the punctuality of this transport and the iconic clock that shows the time to the millimeter at each station. But something very curious is that this timepiece is exactly the same in all the stations of the country.

 

Punctuality and timing
The emblematic clock that adorns and marks the time in all the stations of the Swiss territory helps to guarantee that punctuality that characterizes them so much. This piece was designed by Hans Hilfiker in 1944 and "presents some distinctive features such as the second hand that slides across the dial instead of jumping (this reduces engine wear)", they detail in the book 'Traveling by Train in Europe' (GeoPlanet).
The structure is simple and clear: it does not have numbers, but black stripes on a white background, and the minute and hour hands are also black. For its part, the seconds hand is red, with the tip in the shape of a circle. This design, replicated in each station in the country, responds to a single reason: to seek maximum punctuality and synchronization.

The trains leave at the precise moment in which the minute hand changes position, there being cases in which "the driver has strictly followed the time on the clock despite being clearly wrong, ruining the timetables," they point out.

In addition, those who want to get hold of one of these very special timepieces will be able to buy those of the Mondaine brand, licensed to reproduce them as wall and wristwatches.

 

https://www.20minutos.es/viajes/destinos/curioso-motivo-estaciones-tren-suiza-tienen-mismo-reloj-5096570/