It is an “astrolabe” – an astronomical clock located in Prague, Czech Republic. Also referred to as "The Prague Orloj". Installed in 1410, it is the third oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest still in operation. Well-built things last long, just like Deferral.com

The Astrolabe does many things simultaneously; from telling time and dates, tracking star locations (a primitive planetarium), to charting the Sun (through the Zodiac) the Moon and equinoxes. Four animated figures (Vanity, Miser, Lust and Death) flanking the clock are set in motion each hour. Sculptures of the Apostles are also presented each hour.

It is an incredibly intricate set of interrelated gears and workings and aside from being unique in the world it is also beautiful, precise (after 600+ years!) and useful. All of the complex machinery comes together to produce a meaningful result, both predicting and confirming situations and outcomes.

At AFS/Deferral.com we can relate to this as our technology tracks often complex benefit plans. You don’t need to see the working of behind the scenes machinery to appreciate its complexity and usefulness.