Barometers Realm

This late 19th-century Tourist set crafted by the renowned precision instrument maker Jules Richard, consists of a small barometer, thermometer, and compass, all mounted on a silver-plated brass plate and housed in an elegant case about the size of a porte-cigarette.

The wooden case is covered in kid leather and lined inside with burgundy silk satin fabric. It is secured with a simple brass latch that holds the lid in place.

Barometer

The barometer’s case is made of nickel-plated brass and features a bayonet mount connecting it to the mounting plate. The barometer is protected by a flat, faceted-edge glass set into a wide, fluted bezel. Inside the rotating bezel, an altitude scale is engraved on a silver-plated brass frame. This altitude scale is calibrated in meters, with a maximum range of 5000 meters.

The dial itself, also crafted from silver-plated brass, presents a concentric barometric scale calibrated in centimeters of mercury, ranging from 46 to 80 cm. Instead of standard weather inscriptions, the dial simply indicates two directions: to the left — pluie (rain), and to the right — beau (fair), a typical feature of orographic barometers, allowing use in different regions without recalibration. Additionally, the dial features the brand logo and a mark indicating the barometer’s temperature-compensated ( movement.

At the heart of the barometer operates a crank and connecting rod movement, featuring a brass rack, gear, and external helical spring.

Compass

The compass case is made of nickel-plated brass and protected by thick, slightly domed faceted glass. The base of the case doubles as the dial — a black enameled plate with cardinal points (N, S, E, O) and intermediate points (NE, SE, SO, NO) marked in gold lettering in French.

Just above the dial is a concentric degree scale, engraved on a silver-plated brass ring. The scale is divided into 360°, allowing for precise azimuthal orientation.

The compass needle is a classic bar pattern needle — flat and elongated, with a wire wound around the north end, as found in more sensitive compass models. At the center of the needle is a neatly executed opening fitted with a miniature brass cap containing a ruby pivot. The ruby serves as a low-friction bearing for free and stable needle rotation. The needle is mounted onto a sharp vertical pin that rises from the center of the dial.

When not in use, the needle is locked by a mechanical stopper, operated via a knurled nickel-plated knob located next to the compass on the mounting plate. Turning the knob gently engages a hidden lever that presses the needle down, preventing it from moving during transport — thereby protecting both the needle and the ruby pivot from damage.

Thermometer

Mounted at the top of the brass plate is a mercury thermometer with a rounded bulb reservoir. The thermometer scales are engraved directly onto the mounting base, featuring a centigrade scale and a Réaumur scale.