Vintage Brass Compasses & Sundials | Custom Engraved Nautical Gifts

Vintage Brass Compasses & Sundials | Custom Engraved Nautical Gifts

🧭 Authentic Brass Compasses & Sundials – Timeless Navigation & Timekeeping
For centuries, compasses and sundials have guided adventurers, explorers, and sailors across the world. Our handcrafted brass compasses and sundials capture this spirit of discovery with vintage charm and precision.

✅ Trusted Since 2011 – We’ve been selling these high-quality brass compasses and sundials at Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market, with thousands of happy customers worldwide.
🌍 A Global Favourite – Loved by travellers, collectors, and history enthusiasts, our compasses and sundials make the perfect keepsake or gift.

🛠 Now Customisable! – Personalised Engraving Available

Transform your brass compass or sundial into a treasured keepsake.

🔹 On the Compass (Brass Metal) – Add a name, message, handwritten note, picture, or logo.
🔹 On the Wooden Box (for selected models) – Engrave a name, message, handwritten message, picture, or logo.

Engraving turns these antique-style instruments into meaningful gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, Father’s Day, graduations, or corporate awards.

🧭 How to Use a Brass Compass

A brass compass is a reliable tool for navigation, whether you're exploring the great outdoors or using it as a decorative keepsake. Follow these simple steps to use it correctly:

1️⃣ Place the compass on a flat surface – Ensure it's steady and away from metal objects that could interfere with the needle.
2️⃣ Allow the needle to settle – The needle will naturally align with magnetic north.
3️⃣ Rotate the compass – Turn the entire compass housing until your desired direction aligns with the needle.
4️⃣ Follow your bearing – Use the markings on the compass face to guide your way.

For more precise navigation, adjust for magnetic declination based on your location, which accounts for the difference between magnetic north and true north.

📌 Tip: If using the compass in conjunction with a map, align the compass edge with your route and rotate the map until north on the map matches north on the compass.

🌞 How to Use a Brass Sundial

A sundial is a classic way to tell time using the sun’s position. Our sundials are crafted for the Northern Hemisphere to maintain their vintage authenticity, but they can still be easily used in the Southern Hemisphere with a simple adjustment.

📍 Using a Sundial in the Northern Hemisphere

1️⃣ Place the sundial on a flat surface – Ensure it’s level and in direct sunlight.
2️⃣ Align the gnomon (the triangular piece) with true north – The shadow will then correctly indicate the time.
3️⃣ Read the time – As the sun moves, the shadow will fall on different hour markings.

📍 Using a Sundial in the Southern Hemisphere

The sundials were originally designed for the Northern Hemisphere, they need a simple adjustment for use in the Southern Hemisphere:
✅ Turn the sundial to face south instead of north – This corrects the shadow movement.
✅ The time scale becomes a mirror image – The numbers reverse, meaning:

  • 12 stays the same
  • 11 becomes 1, 10 becomes 2, 9 becomes 3, and so on.

This adjustment allows the sundial to function properly while preserving its historical design and craftsmanship.

🌞 A sundial is a fascinating and functional piece of history, perfect for collectors, history lovers, and those who appreciate vintage craftsmanship!

🎁 A Beautiful Gift & Timeless Décor

⭐ Vintage Elegance – Crafted from solid brass, these compasses and sundials are exquisite keepsakes.
🎩 Perfect for Display – Add a touch of history to your mantelpiece, desk, or bookshelf.
🎭 Great for Costumes & Themed Events – Ideal for pirate, steampunk, and vintage explorer outfits.
🌿 Functional & Stylish – Use them for navigation, hiking, outdoor travel, or as a unique timepiece.

🔧 Care & Maintenance

✔ Long-Lasting Beauty – Solid brass does not corrode, ensuring a lifetime of use.
⚠ Handle with Care – Avoid dropping, as brass can dent. Store in a safe place when not in use.

📌 Browse our collection below and find your perfect brass compass or sundial today! 🚀