Barometers Realm

This striking Open Domed Aneroid Barometer, manufactured in 1949 by the renowned German maker Möller, Oehmichen & Co (MOCO), is a visually impactful, futuristic instrument that boldly exposes its internal mechanics. Its design clearly embraces the aesthetics of an industrial future.

Strictly speaking, the barometer has no traditional case. Instead, it consists of a thin metal base plate covered by a domed acrylic glass, held in place by a slender chromed bezel. At the center of the dome is a trend pointer and a knurled chrome knob for adjusting it.

Beneath the glass dome lies a matte-black painted minimalist dial mounted on the metal base. The barometric scale, calibrated in centimeters of mercury, runs concentrically around the dial from 70 to 79 cm. The fine elongated gold numerals add an elegant contrast. Instead of detailed textual weather indications, the dial features an abstract system with two Dutch terms—LAAG (low) and HOOG (high)—to indicate falling or rising atmospheric pressure.

At the core of the instrument is a conventional movement with a tensioned mirror-finished C-spring and an aneroid capsule made of German silver (nickel silver). The steel pointer is painted bright red and bent at two points to glide effortlessly along the dial while avoiding contact with the narrowing edges of the protective dome.

The use of transparent and metallic elements, minimalist form, and a rare fully “exposed” mechanism make this barometer a remarkable example of progressive industrial design applied to scientific instrumentation.