curvimeter – Three Points of the Compass

Map measure of the month: a Fritz Chatelain measure

This map measure from Fritz Chatelain of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, was sold by Lawrence & Mayo in the early 20th century. The accurate and high quality instrument was later called the 'Universal Map Measure'.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: the Zlatoust curvimeter KY-A

The Russian made KY-A Curvimeter was made for both the civilian market and the Red Army at the fabled Zlatoust watch factory in the 1970s. Cheaply made from plastic and metal, it is a robust and reasonably accurate instrument.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: the Minerva Curvimeter C-01

The Minerva Curvimeter, model number C-01, is a beautifully crafted Swiss made map measure with one of the smoothest tracking mechanisms to be found on this type of instrument. This is unsurprising, considering this measure was made by a company skilled in producing high-quality watches.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: the Panerai Nautical Curvimeter model PAM00302

This month's map measure was released by Panerai for the Classic Yachts Challenge in 2007. Produced as a very limited edition, a small number were also available on general sale, in particular, to collectors of all things Panerai, the 'Paneristi'.

map measurer

Map measure of the month: Model D13777- the Discovery Channel ‘deluxe map measurer with compass’

The Discovery Channel 'deluxe map measurer with compass' is a simple instrument with design faults

map measurer

Map measure of the month: the Vistascreen Pathfinder

The Vistascreen Pathfinder is a very simple map measure with clues to it's origins

map measurer

Map measure of the month: HB Curvimètre ‘Model No. 54M’

HB Curvimetre 54M- 'for the fast and precise measurement of lengths, straight or curved lines- on plans and drawings'

map measurer

Map measure of the month: The Oldbury Optical Distameter

The Oldbury Optical Distameter is an English made map measure that dates from the 1960s. It can measure up to 40 inches, or 40 miles at a scale of one inch to one mile

map measurer

Map Measure of the Month: the Enbeeco “opisometer” No. 102

This is a ‘middle-of-the-road’ map measure masquerading as a quality […]

map measurer

Map measure of the month: the Vistascreen ‘BP Super’

The Vistascreen map measure is a cheaply made item promoting BP Super fuel

map measurer

Map measure of the month: HB Curvimetre ‘Model No. 52 mesures anglaises’

The French manufactured HB Curvimetre 52 MA is a robustly made map measurer "pour mesures anglaises"

map measurer

Map measure of the month: Société des Lunetiers Curvimeter

The Société des Lunetiers Curvimeter is a simply made yet effective map measurer from a time of fraternal co-operation between French master craftsmen

map measurer

Map measurer of the month: Philips’ Universal Simplex

Philips' Universal Simplex is about as simple a map measure as it is possible to get- but it still works

map measurer

Map measure of the month: the Radix

The Radix Map Measurer was invented by Louis J Petion. The simple pen-shape design is its greatest fault

Gear

Map measurer of the month: the Silva scale lanyard

The scale lanyard from compass manufacturer Silva is an interesting innovation but ultimately a failure in design

map measurer

Map measurer of the month- the Mile-O-Graph

The Mile-O-Graph is an intuitive map measurer introduced in the 1950s

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