Cigarette case-style clock winds self with atmospheric pressure

JLC Atmos Regulator for Alfred Dunhill [Acquire mag via Giz]

1. [coop]

   Atmospheric Pressure /= Temperature

2. [ESQ]

   I just inherited an Atmos clock last month. It is beautiful and quite interesting to watch the inner workings. The bellows responds to temperature changes – expending and contracting – a change of 2 degrees F in room temperature will wind the clock for 48 hours. Based upon the serial number we determined the clock was made in 1964, and it has been running ever since without human intervention, electricity or batteries. Amazing.

3. [Trilby]

   Wasn’t this idea first patented in the 1800s? Part of the perpetual motion fad of that time? (Yes, I realise this technically isn’t perpetual motion, but still).

4. [monstrinho_do_biscoito]

   why don’t all small devices work on this principle? it’s basically free energy, i understand that the energy is probably too small for many applications, but still..