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Marine Chronometer in Original Case

Manufacturer William Weichert

Date1871-1885

Period19th century

Classification(s)

Navigation and Timekeeping / Magnetic and Astronomical

Object TypeChronometer

Registration NumberMMM 001954

DescriptionA rare 8-Day Marine Chronometer brass- bound and mounted Coromandel in original wooden case, with two brass handles, made by William Weichert, Maker to the Admiralty, No. 2186. The latter information is illustrated on an oval ivory plaque, on the case’s exterior. The case is a three-tier structure with a blank shield-shaped cartouche inlaid to the upper lid. There are three stickers on the exterior (see Marks).

On the interior, the lid is adorned with two illustrated notes, one of the manufacturer and one of the repair shop, and a sticker – two of them behind a Perspex panel, one exposed (see Inscriptions and Marks). The 12cm silvered dial in a gimballed bowl with power reserve ring with outer minute track and Roman numerals, its centre is engraved and heightened in red wax with two Exhibition medals for Paris 1867 and Harve 1868. It is signed “William Weichert Patentee of the Centre Second Chronometer The Bute Docks Cardiff”. A state of wind dial is found on the upper part, while below a seconds ring inscribed “The Order of the Golden Cross & Crown H.M Emperor of Austria”. It has a free sprung helical spring with diamond endstone to a cut and compensated bimetallic balance, set on a sub plate, with maintaining power to the chain fusee and Earnshaw spring detent escapement.

William Weichert was active in London between 1865 and 1887, and Bute Docks, Cardiff between 1871 and 1885. He exhibited his chronometers in Paris in 1867, in Havre in 1868 and won a Grand Medal of Merit at the Vienna Exhibition in 1873. He was a maker to H.M Emperor of Austria, and was awarded the Golden Cross and Crown and made patentee of the centre seconds chronometer. He also trained many craftsmen (Mercer, 1988: 252).

A chronometer was used to find the longitude at sea by comparing the time on an accurate clock, set to the time at the ship's home port, with that of a measurement of the local time at the ship's position. It was typical for nineteenth century chronometers to be placed in brass bound, square section mahogany cases with double-hinged top and side carrying handles (Baddeley, 1993: 45).InscriptionsCase Exterior, ivory plaque "Willm. Weichert 2186 Cardiff". Case Interior, lid, Note 1: "Guglielmo Weichert Fabricante di Cronometri per l'Ammiragliato Inglese. Fabbricante di Cronometri Orologi ed Istrumenti Nautici per nomina speciale cronometrista A.S.M.L Imperatore d'Austria Inventore d'un nuovo sistema di Cronometri perfezionati distinto con diploma di Privativa da S.M La Regina D'Inghilterra Cardiff". The note is illustrated, top with a crest coat-of-arms showing an anchor and topped with a crown with wording "Sigi. Offi. Mac. Admir. Mac. Br. Lc". Mid-section on either side of the wording, left-hand side a cup with "Vienna", right-hand side a cup with "1868". In between, coupled coins: first couple "Paris- 1867", second couple: "Vienna - 1873", third couple "Havre - 1866". Bottom two coats-of-arms on either side - left with inscription "Unico recolatore a palla elettrica", right with inscription "Secondo il tempo medio di Greenwich". Note 2: "Observatoire Particulier de chronometers Marine M.us Codde Horloger Observateur Codde de Nicolas 20, rue Cannebiere, 20 Marseille". On either side of the wording, top two illustrated anchors, on either side of the wording two medals, left with inscription "Medaille de Bronze", right with inscription "Mention Honorable 1862". Below, "Chevalier Reglage(?) Reparation de Chronometres Depot de Chronometres [illegible due to fading]"; handwritten in black ink "3194". On dial "William Weichert Patentee of the Centre Second Chronometer The Bute Docks Cardiff" and around seconds dial, in red "The Order of the Golden Cross & Crown H.M. the Emperor of Austria - No. 2186".Annotations and MarksExterior stickers: Top, left "(Be)rnard de Dubois Montres Paradis, 6, Marseille"; Top, right "18307 Fesboe(?) A. Cilent Unione Oct 1889"; Bottom, right "Louis Frigerio Optician Chronometer rated by Transit Instrument Warches repaired etc New Orleans, La." Interior sticker: left, bottom in blue on perimeter of the sticker "G. Bornand De Dubois Chronometers Montres Rue Paradis, 6, Marseille" in centre in black ink "No. 2186 Unione 49". Bottom of case, three stickers, one in blue ink "MM/1954", one printed "1018 Belgravia Auction Gallery", one in red ink "ZMT 003".Material

Chronometer: brass, steel, Glass; Case: wood, ivory, brass

Dimensions19.3 x 18 x 17.4 cmBibliography

Baddeley, J. (1993). 'Nautical Antiques & Collectibles', London: Sotheby's Publications; Mercer, T. (1988). 'Chronometer Makers of the World', London

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