Here’s how to how to solve the Astronomical Clock Model Puzzle in Nancy Drew: Mystery of the Seven Keys.
After you snoop Adela’s bag and receive the translated Alchemist’s journal, open the book up to flip through the pages. You can better read it by pressing the R to Read the text in a simpler font. Three riddles are given.
Go and talk to Patricie about everything you can and especially about the riddles. The dialogue option is “I need a hint.” From that, you can ask about each riddle. While talking to her, be sure to ask her about where Leo is, and ask her about seeing the knight in armor lurking outside at nighttime before bringing these riddles up.
Riddle 3: We divide the world…
Patrici tells you to try the Astronomical Clock replica here in the café.
Part 1
Step over to the replica clock in the café and see the words “Commissioned by King Rudolph II upon his coronation.” To learn about this date, return to the castle exhibit and find the poster on Rudolf II. It is November 1st, 1575 at 6:00 in the early morning.
To get the tools you need to figure out the clock, text Ned Nickerson. He will send you a guide with pictures.
To learn about the paintings, walk over to the coffee book Patricie has. Turn to the last page for the Coffee of the Month” find the list of Bohemian culture each month. Note the line for November: “in November, he cuts down an oak”. You now have all the tools and clues needed for solving riddle 3 at the clock replica.
Start at the lower half of the clock with the paintings. The marker (fork) is very small at the top. This larger marker is the same one just zoomed in so you can see the tiny numbers. The first figure, a man in brown clothing holding a scroll will rotate the wheel to each painting going counterclockwise. The second figure, an angel holding a shield and a goblet will rotate the wheel clockwise to each painting. The third figure on the right in blue will rotate counterclockwise to one entry number at a time. The last figure will rotate clockwise to one number.
Click on the first two figures to rotate the wheel until the painting of the people cutting down the oak tree is under the top marker (fork). (The painting looks like a person with a red cape holding an axe over the should, and with the other hand is holding a branch down with red leaves. There is an adult figure in white and a child in green next to the wood cutter.
Next, to enter it as the first day of the month (since the coronation date was Nov. 1), use the two figures on the right to rotate the wheel to point the marker to the number 1. You’ll know you’ve done it right when a gold cylinder comes out.
To solve the gold cylinder, which is different in Amateur and Master levels, rotate the dials so that all lines that you see do not have any breaks. The lines do not connect all the way from left to right, but rather the dials need each have a connection. It’s tricky, but I’ll show you the end result for each level.
You’ll know you did it correctly when the cylinder returns to the clock.
Part 2
Approach the upper portion of the clock. You will need to set the date and the time of Rudolf’s coronation. To do this, we will focus on the German dial, using the Roman numeral for six, which is VI. Grab the handle at the outer-most hand and drag to align with the VI. It may get hard to see when the inner zodiac dial covers it up.
Next, using Ned’s guide on Zodiac, find the time frame when November 1st falls, which is Scorpio (the M with a tail symbol which represents 10/23-11/21.) Grab the inner zodiac dial and swing it around (click and drag to the right to ensue chaos).
What you are looking for is the sliding sun to come in and tough the Scorpio symbol. You’ll know it is correct when the clock face swings open to reveal a compartment with a key.
Back up and notice the top of the clock where two new compartments opened up. Click on them and Nancy will automatically unlock both keyholes with the key you just acquired. A figure comes out from the base of the clock with missing journal pages for you.
Here’s the full video walkthrough:
