Hamilton Model 21 American Oak-Cased Ship's Chronometer
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1941
According to the auctioneer, this American ship's chronometer is a Type 21 model by Hamilton, Lancaster, mounted in a two-tier oak box measuring 19 cm square. The chronometer is housed in a brass bowl with gimbals and a screwed bevelled glass bezel.
Its 4 1/4-inch circular silvered dial is signed, dated 1941, and numbered 8783, bearing blued steel hands, a state-of-wind indicator, and subsidiary seconds. The source describes the nickel-plated movement as numbered 5789-1941, featuring a chain fusée, maintaining power, a compensated freesprung balance, and an Earnshaw-type detent escapement.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Gimballed ship's chronometer
- Dimensions
- 19 cm square
- Escapement
- Earnshaw-type detent escapement
- Place recorded
- United States
- Maker and Model
- Hamilton, Lancaster, Type 21
- Movement Number
- No. 5789-1941
- Maker / attribution
- Hamilton
- Dial Number and Date
- No. 8783, dated 1941
Design
- Visible features
- • Housed in an open-grained oak box with a glazed upper lid secured by a long brass piano hinge • Brass gimbal ring and bowl supporting a silvered dial with Arabic numerals and two subsidiary dials • Brass winding key positioned in an interior corner bracket behind the bowl • Keyhole escutcheon fitted on the front upper edge of the lower case tier
- Movement Specifications
- The movement is identified as nickel-plated and is numbered 5789-1941. The mechanical configuration includes a chain fusée, maintaining power, a compensated freesprung balance, and an Earnshaw-type detent escapement. The auctioneer reports that the movement is running and ticking.
- Case and Gimbal Construction
- The timepiece is housed in a two-tier oak case featuring a hinged glazed cover. The structure includes a brass bowl and gimbal assembly, which is accessed via a screwed, bevelled glass bezel. A keyhole escutcheon is fitted to the front upper edge of the lower case tier. The source notes that the winding key is associated with the item.
- Dial and Visual Configuration
- The instrument displays a 4 1/4-inch circular silvered dial, which is signed and marked with the number 8783 and the date 1941. The dial includes blued steel hands and two subsidiary dials for state-of-wind and seconds. The auctioneer identifies a discrepancy between the dial number (8783) and the movement number (5789-1941), suggesting the object may be an assembly of associated or reconstructed components.
Identification
- Reference
- Type 21
- Serial number
- 5789-1941
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The auctioneer notes mismatched numbers between the dial (No. 8783) and the movement (No. 5789-1941), suggesting associated or reconstructed components, potentially including the case and bowl
- Research required: The movement and its components are enclosed and not directly visible in the catalog image
- Research required: The winding key is reported as associated