Barometers Realm

This Designer Aneroid Barometer, dating to around 1965 and produced by Scholz, is executed in a restrained, technically precise form characteristic of high-quality Continental instruments of the mid-twentieth century. The case is enclosed within a substantial brass bezel with a softly rounded profile, lending the instrument a sense of visual density and a carefully finished presence. At the front, a domed, convex mineral glass cover is fitted; it not only protects the mechanism but also creates an effect of optical depth, enhancing the perception of both the dial and the exposed movement beneath. The rear of the case is made of steel and finished with a durable powder coating in a warm, dark tone, resistant to wear and fluctuations in humidity.

From a constructional standpoint, the barometer stands out for its unusual versatility of use. The rear plate incorporates a built-in metal hanging loop, allowing the instrument to be securely mounted on a wall. At the same time, the case is fitted with a retractable wire stand made of brass, which folds neatly away when not in use and allows the barometer to function as a tabletop instrument. This dual solution underscores the practical intent of the model and makes it equally suitable for a study or a domestic interior, where the instrument can be easily repositioned.

The dial is made of aluminium and finished in a gold-toned paint with a soft satin sheen, providing a warm background for the scales and the mechanism. It carries two concentric barometric scales. The outer scale is calibrated in millimetres of mercury and covers a wide range of atmospheric pressures, emphasising the universal applicability of the instrument. The inner scale is graduated in hectopascals, reflecting the more modern metric system of measurement. Both scales are clear and logically arranged, free from visual clutter, thanks to the carefully balanced contrast between numerals, graduations, and background.

The scales are complemented by weather terms in French — TEMPÊTE, VARIABLE, TRES-SEC — rendered in solid uppercase lettering with a subtle shadow effect. This shadowing creates a sense of depth and visual separation from the background, making the inscriptions not only informative but also a decorative element of the overall composition. The typography is deliberately restrained and free of excessive ornament, in keeping with the scientific and technical character of the instrument.

At the centre of the dial, mounted on a brass base, is the celebrated patented Scholz movement — one of the most recognisable and aesthetically accomplished aneroid mechanisms of its time. The construction is based on two sensitive aneroid capsules working together and tensioned by a C-shaped steel spring. This arrangement increases sensitivity and stability of the readings while ensuring a smoother and more precise transmission of motion.

The main lever of the mechanism has an elegant V-shaped profile and interacts with a similarly conceived element forming a bridge that supports the pointer arbor. Together, these components create a harmonious composition reminiscent of the outline of an antique lyre — a motif well known to connoisseurs of classic aneroid mechanisms and regarded as one of the most beautiful engineering patterns in the history of barometry. The entire kinematic assembly is executed with a high level of craftsmanship: brass pillars, screws, and pivots form a transparent, almost architectural structure that can be clearly admired through the glass dome.

Design

The design of the Scholz barometer is directly related to an aesthetic established a few years earlier by the MOCO barometer, created by Ralf Michel (Hanau, Germany) and awarded the iF Design Award in 1964 — one of the most authoritative international prizes in industrial design, granted since 1954 for excellence in form, function, and innovation. The central idea of this design direction was the concept of an “open instrument architecture”: a glass lens, a visibly exposed aneroid capsule, and emphasised mechanics, all perceived not merely as technical necessities but as an aesthetic expression of the mid-twentieth century. In this context, the barometer was no longer conceived solely as a scientific instrument, but as an industrial product intended for living spaces and everyday use, where measuring accuracy was combined with a clear and expressive visual language. The success of the MOCO barometer at the iF Design Award marked a turning point, signalling the transition of meteorological instruments from the realm of pure technology into that of industrial design. This recognised aesthetic code was subsequently adopted and developed by other manufacturers, including Scholz, within an already established design tradition.

This Scholz barometer represents a successful synthesis of functional engineering and restrained aesthetic sensibility. It is equally convincing as a precise measuring instrument and as a compelling object of technical design, demonstrating the high standard of the European instrument-making tradition and a level of attention to detail that elevates a utilitarian object to the status of a collectible piece.