Decimal Watch competition

Most assume that the French gave up on decimal time in year III (1795). However, I was reading some old newspapers, found, which I’ve translated. Notice that this is late in year IV (1796). I’ll also point out that some places used decimal time until 1800, after Napoleon’s Coup of Brumaire. 

I’ll also point out that 1 kg of gold is twice the size of an Olympic gold medal, but that’s only gold-played because gold is too expensive, about $60,000.00 per kilogram. 

---

JOURNAL OF PARIS.

(BY THE C.s RŒDERER AND CORANCEZ.)

Quartidi 14 MESSIDOR, the IVth year of the French Republic, one & indivisible.

Saturday, JULY 2, 1796 (old style.)

MATHEMATICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES CLASS

SUBJECT OF THE MATHEMATICS AWARD.

The construction of a proper pocket watch to determine

longitudes at sea, observing that the divisions indicate the decimal parts of the day, namely, tenths, thousandths & one hundred thousandths: or that the day be divided into ten hours, the hour in a hundred minutes, & the minute in one hundred seconds.

        The academy of sciences, in 1793 (old style). had proposed this subject for the prize of 1795; & it was deleted before any piece was sent to the competition: but the rational institute, grounds that it is possible that several artists have made or started, for this competition, watches in accordance important at the time at the time it had been proposed, not less in the current circumstances, thought it could do no better than propose it again. Nevertheless, to reduce, as much as it is possible, the difficulties that could rule out some competition, the national institute has to change to a simple invitation the obligation to indicate the divisions the decimal parts of the day.

        All the watches sent to the contest, including the one that won the prize, will be returned to their authors, after the examination.

          The prize is a gold medal worth one kilogram.

         The artistes of all nations are invited to compete. The works will only be received until the last day of fructidor of the year V exclusively. This term is required. 

        The Institute will proclaim the piece that won the prize, at the public assembly of 15 messidor of the year VI.

20 Ventôse 231 3h51m66s PMT