Universal equinoctial dial for latitudes 30°-60° North, in the form of a circular gold pocket watch. The base-plate is inscribed 'Elevation du Pole' and carries a small silver disc divided anticlockwise 30°-60°. A gold pointer moves over the disc and is attached to a cam and spring mechanism, which sets the angle of the hour-circle. Hinged to the North side of the base-plate is a gold hour-circle with silver on its inner rim, numbered clockwise [IIII]-XII, I-[VIII]. A gold pivoted strut across the East-West diameter supports the gold rod gnomon, which has a spherical weight on the lower end.

Set into the base-plate is a silver compass. It has an eight-point rose with a fleur-de-lys for North and seven other points indicated by French initials. An arrow marks the magnetic variation at 15° West of North. The needle has a crossing bar for North and is surmounted by a brass pyramidal pivot. A glass plate covers all. The reverse side of the compass is decorated with an acanthus design. On the base-plate, it is signed 'Baradelle L'aine a Paris'.

In mechanism, this instrument is very similar to the equinoctial dials of Hager (AST0405) and Martin (AST0404). The decoration, however, is typically French and the style is perhaps closer to the French and Belgian compass dials of the late 18th century (AST0332, AST0336 and AST0347). Two similar instruments are in the MHS, Oxford (new inventory nos 33431 and 34733).

For more information regarding this dial please refer to the OUP & NMM catalogue, 'Sundials at Greenwich'.