Atomic clock · the current time in Germany
Atomic clock online: the exact time, live on the watch of the month
· Calendar week
In sync with the atomic time of PTB Braunschweig
Deviation of your device: measuring
Technology
How atomic time reaches your wrist
Four ways, one second. A watch from our store for each of them.
Radio-controlled
Receives the DCF77 signal from Mainflingen at night and sets itself. Range around 2,000 km, almost everywhere in Europe.
Deviation 0 s after every sync
GPS watch
Takes the time directly from the satellites, worldwide and without a mobile network. Ideal for travel, time zone included.
Deviation 0 s, worldwide
Bluetooth
Smartwatches and hybrid watches take the time from the smartphone, which in turn follows the network.
Deviation 0 s while connected
Mechanical
Not at all. An automatic watch has no receiver, only balance and hairspring. That is exactly its charm: you set it now and then by this page.
A few seconds per day
What is an atomic clock, and what is rate deviation?
An atomic clock takes its beat from the oscillation of atoms, in Germany from caesium-133 at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig. It deviates by less than one second in 100 million years and is the reference for every clock, whether in your smartphone, in a radio-controlled watch or on this page.
Rate deviation is the number of seconds a watch gains or loses per day. A quartz watch is at about half a second, a good automatic watch at a few seconds, a certified chronometer between minus four and plus six seconds per day.
Test your watch: atomic time runs at the top of this page. Press “Now” when your seconds hand reaches 12 and you see the deviation in seconds. Repeat the test a day later and you know the rate deviation per day.
Last checked: September 2026 · by the RM Time workshop in Solingen
Rate deviation: how much a watch may deviate per day
| Watch | Deviation per day |
|---|---|
| PTB atomic clock (caesium fountain CSF2) | 0.000 000 03 s |
| Radio-controlled and GPS watch, after every sync | 0 s |
| Quartz watch, typical values | ± 0.5 s |
| COSC chronometer, certified mechanical | −4 to +6 s |
| Tissot Powermatic 80, Nivachron hairspring | a few seconds |
| Automatic without regulation, time for the workshop | over ± 20 s |
The atomic clock deviates by less than one second in 100 million years. Your result from the check above fits in here once you repeat it a day later.
9,192,631,770
Oscillations of the caesium-133 atom have defined one second since 1967.
< 1 s
Deviation of the PTB fountain clock in 100 million years.
77.5 kHz
Frequency of the DCF77 time signal transmitter in Mainflingen.
21,600
Half-oscillations per hour in the Powermatic 80 of the PRX, i.e. six steps of the seconds hand per second.
Setting a watch precisely: your automatic watch to the second
The PRX has a hacking seconds function. This is how to use it together with this page.
- Pull the crown all the way out. The seconds hand stops. Best when it is right at 12.
- Set the time to the next full minute. Move the hands slightly past the target minute and back, so the minute hand sits without play.
- Wait for the atomic time above. Watch the seconds line. It fills up to the full minute.
- Push the crown in at the moment the minute changes. The seconds hand starts, now in sync with Braunschweig.
- Check after a week. The one-click check shows how many seconds your watch has gained or lost since then.
Where radio-controlled watches get their time
Every region has its transmitter. Multiband radio watches receive several of them and set themselves when travelling, too.
| Transmitter | Region | Location | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCF77 | Europe | Mainflingen, Germany | 77.5 kHz |
| MSF | United Kingdom | Anthorn, England | 60 kHz |
| WWVB | North America | Fort Collins, USA | 60 kHz |
| JJY | Japan | Fukushima and Saga | 40 / 60 kHz |
| BPC | China | Shangqiu | 68.5 kHz |
Casio Multiband 6 and Junghans Mega receive up to six of these transmitters. GPS watches need none of them.
Origin
From the sundial to the atomic clock
Timekeeping begins around 5,500 years ago with the shadow of a rod. Egyptian sundials divided the day into comparable sections for the first time. Since then every new timekeeper has been more accurate than the previous one: water clock, geared clock, pendulum, balance wheel, quartz.
Today the time is delivered to our smartphones, radio alarm clocks and wrists. The reference behind it is always the same: the atomic clock. You can see its time at the top of this page, on the watch of the month.
History
A Nobel Prize and a new second
The idea dates from 1944. The physicist Isidor Isaac Rabi described how the oscillation of atoms can serve as a timekeeper and received the Nobel Prize for it. In 1949 the first atomic clock ran in the USA, in 1955 the first caesium clock with usable accuracy in England.
In 1967 the second was redefined: since then it lasts 9,192,631,770 oscillations of the caesium-133 atom. Today around 400 atomic clocks in more than 60 institutes contribute to International Atomic Time. In Germany that is the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Braunschweig.
How it works
A quartz that is corrected constantly
Every clock needs something that oscillates evenly. In an automatic watch that is the balance wheel, in a quartz watch the quartz crystal. An atomic clock also starts with a quartz oscillator. The difference: its frequency is compared with the resonance frequency of the caesium atoms all the time and adjusted.
The result is a deviation of less than one second in 100 million years. For comparison: a good automatic watch deviates a few seconds per day, a quartz watch a few seconds per month.
Our verdict
Why we still love mechanical watches
An atomic clock is useless on the wrist. But it is the standard against which every watch has to be measured. That it is based on a quartz at its core surprises many. And that an automatic watch like the PRX manages with a few seconds per day, without electricity, radio or satellite, is the real achievement.
If you need the exact second, you will find radio-controlled and GPS watches in our store that set themselves. If you love mechanics, set your watch by this page now and then. Both are a good choice.
From the sundial to Braunschweig
| 3500 BC | Sundials in Egypt divide the day into comparable sections. |
| 1656 | Christiaan Huygens builds the first pendulum clock. Deviation: under one minute per day. |
| 1927 | The first quartz clock is built at Bell Laboratories. |
| 1944 | Isidor Isaac Rabi describes the principle of the atomic clock and receives the Nobel Prize in Physics. |
| 1949 | The first atomic clock runs in the USA, still with ammonia as the timekeeper. |
| 1955 | First caesium clock at the National Physical Laboratory in England. |
| 1967 | The second is redefined via the caesium-133 atom. |
| 1973 | DCF77 transmits the PTB time permanently. Radio-controlled watches become possible. |
| 1999 | PTB puts its first caesium fountain clock into operation. |
| Today | Around 400 atomic clocks in more than 60 institutes form International Atomic Time. This page shows it to you. |
In brief
UTC
Coordinated Universal Time, the reference for all time zones. Derived from atomic time and adjusted to the Earth's rotation with leap seconds.
TAI
International Atomic Time, the weighted average of all participating atomic clocks. Runs without leap seconds.
CET / CEST
Central European Time, UTC plus one hour. Summer time is two hours ahead of UTC.
GMT
Greenwich Mean Time, the historical predecessor of UTC. In everyday use the same as UTC.
Leap second
An extra second that aligns UTC with the slightly varying rotation of the Earth. 27 times so far since 1972.
Hacking seconds
When the crown is pulled, the seconds hand stops. This lets you set a mechanical watch to the second.
Rate deviation
How many seconds a watch gains or loses per day. Normal for mechanical watches, zero for radio and GPS.
Half-oscillation
One swing of the balance wheel. The Powermatic 80 makes 21,600 per hour, i.e. six steps of the seconds hand per second.
That the most accurate clock in the world is at its core a quartz clock that is merely corrected constantly surprises most of our customers.
RM Time workshop
World time
The same second, a different hour
Watches that set themselves
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The Junghans max bill MEGA Solar 059/2021.02 has a connected radio solar movement J101.85 with the following functions: date, convenient time setting via crown or via the Junghans MEGA app in just a few seconds, precise seconds display in half-second increments. The case has the following specifications: titanium, Ø 38.0 mm, height 9.0 and is protected by a curved sapphire crystal, anti-reflective on both sides. The dial has the following features: solar dial matt white, luminous dots with environmentally friendly luminous material. The Junghans max bill MEGA Solar 059/2021.02 is waterproof up to 5 bar. This Junghans watch offers excellent wearing comfort thanks to the vegetable tanned calf leather strap with Alcantara leather base and titanium pin buckle.
Unfortunately, the outer packaging is missing due to transport damage. The tape is undamaged and new.
The Junghans Milano MEGA Solar is a watch from the Funk & Solar line and impresses with a high-quality multi-frequency radio solar movement J615.84, which supports the following functions: dark power reserve of up to 21 months, sleep mode after 72 hours, large date, convenient time setting via the Junghans MEGA app. The housing has the following properties: stainless steel, mineral glass base with vapor coating, Ø 39.2 mm, height 8.4 mm. The striking design of the Junghans 56/4220.00 is completed by the dial with a glass dial with appliques and hands with environmentally friendly luminous material. The watch also has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a leather strap with a stainless steel pin buckle. A Milanese strap is also included.
The Junghans Force Mega Solar is a watch from the Funk & Solar line and impresses with a high-quality multi-frequency radio solar movement J615.84, which supports the following functions: dark power reserve of up to 21 months, sleep mode after 72 hours, large date, convenient time setting via the Junghans MEGA app. The case has the following properties: Polished ceramic Case base ceramic Ø 40.4 mm, height 8.2 mm. The striking design of the Junghans 18/1000.00 is completed by the dial with a glass dial, dial print and hands with environmentally friendly luminous material. The watch also has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a synthetic rubber strap with a PVD-coated titanium folding clasp.
Full-Auto-LED LightUm To activate the watch's backlight, all you need to do is turn your wrist slightly. This works as soon as the brightness in the area decreases. ShockproofThe watch can handle a lot, without being damaged. The shockproof housing offers protection against impacts and vibrations. Dirt-resistant housingThe case of this watch is Completely sealed - dirt and dust can't even get in. Solar operationIndependent and environmentally friendly, solar cells ensure the energy supply of the clock. Excess solar energy is stored in a battery. Radio signal reception (EU, USA, Japan, China)Whether in Europe, North America and Japan or in large parts of Canada, Central America and China - after the watch is set to the local time zone, it receives the corresponding radio signal and always shows the exact time. In many countries it also sets summer and winter time independently. Neo DisplayThe pointers and/or or the index are fluorescent coated and glow in the dark if the watch has previously been exposed to a light source World time functionThe world time function shows the Times in up to 29 different time zones. Stop function - 1/100 sec. - 1 hour. span>Elapsed time, split time and end time are measured with an accuracy of hundredths of a second. The clock's measuring capacity lasts up to one hour. Timer - 1/1 sec - 100 min. span>The zero count alarm (timer) emits a signal after a set time has elapsed. The clock's measuring capacity lasts up to 100 minutes and can be set every second. 5 daily alarmsReminder of daily recurring events the daily alarm, in which an acoustic signal sounds at the set time. This model has five independent alarms - particularly useful for taking daily medication or keeping to regular appointments. Automatic calendar with date, month and day of the week < span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:'Open Sans', sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;" >Once set, the automatic calendar always shows the correct date. 12/24 hour format< span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:'Open Sans', sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;" >The time display can be set to either 12 or 24 hour format. In 12-hour mode, a "p" appears in the display for the second half of the day, i.e. 12 noon to 11:59 p.m. Mineral glassThe hard, scratch-resistant mineral glass protects the watch from unsightly damage. Resin housing Resin braceletResin is made of synthetic resin and is the ideal material for bracelets due to its extreme durability and flexibility. pin buckle Loading control displayWith this control display you have the The watch's battery charge can be kept in view at all times. Waterproof rating (20 bar) Perfect for free diving without equipment: the watch is tested for water resistance up to 20 bar in accordance with ISO 22810. Dimensions (H x W x D)< span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:'Open Sans', sans-serif;color:#333333;background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;" >56.2mm x 54.9mm x 17.3mm weightapprox. 88 g
For the designer Max Bill, visual sustainability came first. The max bill MEGA Solar joins that ambition with sustainable energy: its highly efficient app connected radio movement is driven by the power of the sun.The 4 recalls an upturned chair, and Max Bill designed the other numerals in square form as well.
This radio controlled watch takes the time from the transmitter and corrects itself. Within range of a time signal station in Europe Japan North America or China it sets itself, outside that range it runs to within 15 seconds a month. World time covers 26 cities and the calendar is perpetual.This execution is the most matter of fact in the series. The dial is black and carries its three counters in the same colour, set apart only by their recess. Hands and markers are bright and stand clearly in front. Together with the light titanium that makes a watch which stays calm despite the chronograph and suits a suit as well as a shirt. If you want a chronograph that does not draw attention in the office this is the one. Luminous material sits only on hands and markers and not on the subdials which keeps the face calm. Black also hides the fine marks that a bracelet picks up over the years.The case measures 40.5 mm at 10.42 mm high and is made together with its solid bracelet from Super Titanium the surface hardened titanium of the house. At 89 g the watch weighs considerably less than a comparable steel watch while being far more scratch resistant. Sapphire crystal sits above and water resistance is 10 bar.The chronograph times to a twentieth of a second and measures up to 60 minutes. The calibre H804 drives it all. Eco-Drive means the watch draws its energy from light. Daylight works just as well as indoor lighting. There is no battery to replace.Radio reception for Europe Japan North America and ChinaAccuracy without signal 15 seconds a monthChronograph to 1/20 second up to 60 minutesWorld time for 26 citiesPerpetual calendar and power reserve indicatorCase and bracelet in Super TitaniumCase 40.5 mm at 10.42 mm highWeight only 89 gSapphire crystalPower reserve 180 daysWater resistant to 10 bar
The Junghans Force Mega Solar is a watch from the Funk & Solar line and impresses with a high-quality multi-frequency radio solar movement J615.84, which supports the following functions: dark power reserve of up to 21 months, sleep mode after 72 hours, large date, convenient time setting via the Junghans MEGA app. The case has the following properties: polished ceramic, ceramic case base Ø 40.4 mm, height 8.2 mm. The striking design of the Junghans 18/1001.00 is completed by the dial with a glass dial, dial print and hands with environmentally friendly luminous material. The watch also has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a synthetic rubber strap with a PVD-coated titanium folding clasp.
What shows the time here next
Every month a different model from our store runs on atomic time. If you would like to suggest a watch, write to us.
| September | Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 |
| October | Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical |
| November | Certina DS Action Diver |
| December | Seiko Presage Cocktail Time |
Frequently asked questions
How can I test the rate deviation of my watch?
With the atomic clock on this page. Press “Now” when your seconds hand reaches 12. You immediately see how many seconds your watch is fast or slow. Repeat the test after a day or a week and the difference gives you the rate deviation per day.
How do I set my watch to the exact second?
Pull the crown all the way out when the seconds hand is at 12, set the time to the next full minute and push the crown in at the very moment the atomic time above changes. The guide further down shows every step.
Where does this page get the time from?
Our server keeps its clock in sync with PTB via the NTP time protocol. When the page loads, the server time is transmitted and compared with your device's clock. The display then keeps running in your browser, corrected by the measured deviation.
How accurate is the one-click check?
To about a tenth of a second, limited by your reaction. For a wristwatch that is more than enough. If you need fractions of a second, use a radio receiver or GPS.
Can a mechanical watch show atomic time?
Not by itself. An automatic watch has no receiver. It shows the time you set it to and drifts a few seconds per day depending on the movement. Radio, GPS and Bluetooth watches fetch atomic time automatically.
What is DCF77?
DCF77 is the time signal transmitter in Mainflingen near Frankfurt. It transmits the PTB time on 77.5 kHz and reaches radio-controlled watches within a radius of about 2,000 kilometres. Almost every radio watch in Germany sets itself via this signal at night.
What do CET, CEST and UTC mean?
UTC is Coordinated Universal Time, the reference for all time zones. Central European Time is one hour ahead, summer time two hours.
My watch gains 15 seconds a day. Is it defective?
For an automatic watch that is at the edge of the usual range. Temperature, position and magnetic fields affect the balance. A regulation in our workshop usually brings it down to a few seconds.
