How To Set Up Your Hermle Tellurium

Setting up your Hermle Tellurium can be overwhelming. But whether you’re setting up a Tellurium or you need to adjust a pre-owned one, this video will walk you through it step-by-step.

TELLURIUM FEATURE BREAKDOWN

The first thing we need to discuss is what your Tellurium is actually capable of. You have the functionality of a typical clock with hours and minutes. A second hand is also included. The chime is a Westminster chime played on bells. An automatic night shut off will silence chimes, or you can choose to turn them off entirely. In addition to this, your Tellurium will track the moon phases, day and night, and it has a year calendar with the corresponding astrology symbols.

BE CAREFUL WHEN ADJUSTING

Before adjusting anything on your Tellurium, please make sure you use the provided gloves. This will avoid fingerprints. It’s also important to note that some parts are fragile. Be careful while adjusting.

SETTING THE CLOCK AND CALENDAR

Setting the clock aspect of the Tellurium is the same as any other mechanical clock. If you are unfamiliar with this process, we have a whole video dedicated to this subject. 

The Moon phase and Year calendar are a little more complicated. If your Tellurium is a new one, you will need to carefully push the brass Sun ball into the center axle. Once that is done, use the black hand to rotate the entire gear wheel carrier to December 20^th, aka the Winter Solstice.

Next the retainer on the Earth globe will need to be adjusted. For the Northern Hemisphere, rotate the retainer so that it faces directly away from the Sun. For the Southern Hemisphere, rotate the retainer so that it faces directly toward the Sun.

Once you have the retainer positioned, rotate the gear wheel carrier by the black hand again, this time to today’s date.

Adjusting the moon phase comes next. Check online for the current moon phase. If the moon is full, the silver side should face the Sun. The Earth will be between the Sun and the Moon. If the moon is new, the black side should be facing the Earth, this time with the Moon in between the Sun and Earth. The moon is on a friction bushing. Hold the big wheel underneath the Earth while adjusting the moon. 

The Earth is on a similar friction bushing. Make sure your location is facing the sun during daylight hours. For example, if you live in America, rotate the Earth so America is facing the sun during daylight hours. Make sure you do not move the retainer when setting the Earth. The retainer should stay in the same position you adjusted it to earlier. Replace the glass dome and your Tellurium is all set! You will need to keep it wound. If it is not wound regularly, you will have to restart this process. 

PROPERLY CLEANING YOUR TELLURIUM

If you need to clean the Tellurium, use a dry, lint free cloth. Don’t use any cleaner, polish or water. Depending on the temperature and humidity of the environment that the Tellurium is stored in, you should not need to lubricate any of the parts for 5 to 8 years. We recommend consulting your local clockmaker when service is required. Do not try to lubricate this yourself.

Now your Tellurium is all set!