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The Spot-on Sundial - a new concept in sundials

The new Spot-On Sundial combines modern functional design with unrivalled accuracy.

3 models of Spot-On Sundial to suit all situations from small urban gardens to large open spaces and public areas

All models can have an engraved message on the side of the gnomon to give a unique gift for an anniversary, birthday, wedding, or special event.

Spot-On Sundial in brass

The main feature of the Spot-On Sundial is the divided gnomon* constructed of two parallel plates with a small air gap. This permits a ray of sunshine to pass through for a few minutes at solar noon, more...

The Unique Line of Light

Spot-on Sundial in Stainless Steel

An interesting dial which gives excellent reflections in the mirror-finished stainless steel, and, with the contrasting matt circle on which the hour lines are shown, gives the appearance of "floating on air" more...

These stainless steel dials are individually designed for their precise location and incorporate engraving text, logos, or drawings agreed with the client.

These elegant and robust dials incorporate the split gnomon, so that every day at solar noon a line of light will shine through the gnomon along the noon line.

When you have decided which sundial you want, you can now buy it in our new online store!
You can also buy standard 17 cm. sundials without engraving from OutdoorDecor.com in the USA

What is local noon?

Noon is when the sun is at its highest in the sky. Watches are based on the assumption that all days in the year are exactly 24 hours long. Sundials are based on the idea of measuring time before and after noon, days vary in length, true noon rarely coincides with clock noon, more...

Use the Spot-On Sundials Solar Noon Calculator to print out a table showing the exact time of solar noon throughout the world at any location worldwide.

The Spot-On Sundial is easy to read

The shadow of the top slanting edge of the gnomon travels round the sundial in a clockwise direction (for our Northern Hemisphere models). This shows the shadow falling exactly on an hour line . The time is 8 am winter time (indicated by the VIII Roman numerals) or 9 am in Summer Time/Daylight Saving Time, more...

Plinths and stockists

Click here for names and addresses and more pictures.

Reading your sundial
Setting up your sundial
Equation of Time
Longitude and Latitude
Solar noon calculator
Looking after your sundial
How to order your sundial
Choosing the right model
A note from the Designer
Engraving
Delivery times
Sundials on the Internet
Shop

Choosing the correct model for your location

Horizontal sundials need to have the angle between the gnomon (which casts the shadow) and the dialplate appropriate to the latitude where they are to be used. The Spot-On Sundial is made in seven models - use this page to help you decided which is the correct model for you.

*Gnonom
The gnomon is the upright part of the sundial which casts the shadow. It is derived from the Greek word meaing indicator; the g is silent, so it is pronounced "no-mon" with the first o long.

Ordering a Sundial

First, choose the right model for your latitude. Then decide whether or not you want an engraving. Then go to our shop (if you want to pay by credit card on the Internet) or use our reservation form (if you are paying by cheque or by inter-bank transfer). For despatch dates click here., or use our reservation form (if you are paying by cheque or by inter-bank transfer)

Setting up

Detailed instructions are provided for brass and stainless steel sundials, advanced set up for super accuracy, indoor set up.

Note from the Designer

People often ask what is so special about the Spot-On Sundial and how it came to be designed. If you too are interested in this, here is the full story!

Piers Nicholson

New! Polar Spot-On Sundial in brass

An unusual sundial echoing the 3 Millennium sundials designed by Piers Nicholson for the Tylers and Brickayers company of the City of London, more...

The gnomon* is made from two brass plates with a narrow airgap, which produces a "line of light" like the other dials in the range.

The dialplate is in the same plane as the gnomon, so the shadow is a straight line which moves gradually from left to right over the dialplate.

NEW! A Spot-On Sundial for Schools

We will shortly be introducing a new model of Spot-On Sundial designed specially for use in schools to demonstrate the way sundials work.

The dialplate and gnomon are made of acrylic, and the baseplate from styrene. The gnomon consists of two plates with a narrow air-gap, and thus gives the "line of light" which is the hallmark of this innovative design.

The sundial is 7 ins. square, and the markings of the dialplate are closely similar to those of the brass model. The target price for these sundials is around £20 (€30, $30) each

Spot-On Sundials POBox 292, Epsom, KT17 4YP, England
Tel: 01372 747767 (International +44 1372 747767)