Hamilton Model 21 Marine Chronometer, Circa 1940
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 1940
The source reports that this Hamilton Model 21 marine chronometer dates to circa 1940 and was made for the U.S. Army by Hamilton in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. According to the seller, the instrument features a 14-jewel chain fusee movement with a chronometer detent escapement, a poised balance wheel, and a 56-hour power reserve.
It has an engraved silvered dial with Arabic numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial, and an up-down winding indicator. The chronometer is mounted in a brass gimbal ring within a brass-bound mahogany box and is accompanied by its winding key and paper starting instructions attached inside the upper lid.
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
- Box marine chronometer
- Casing
- Gimbaled mahogany case with winding key
- Dial Features
- Engraved silvered dial with Arabic numerals, seconds dial, and winding status indicator
- Power Reserve
- 56 hour
- Place recorded
- United States
- Movement Mechanism
- 14 jewel chain fusee driven movement with chronometer detent escapement
- Maker / attribution
- Hamilton
- Maker and Location Signature
- Hamilton, Lancaster, PA., USA; Property U.S. Army
Design
- Visible features
- • Mahogany box fitted with flush brass corner brackets, latch hardware, and lid stay • Inner lid houses a printed paper label titled 'STARTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR HAMILTON SIZE 85 CHRONOMETERS' • Movement bowl mounted on a brass gimbal ring with lock mechanism • Gimbaled brass bowl features a service label along the inner rim reading '10422 Overhaul Due JUN 85' • Silvered dial with black Arabic numerals, blued hands, subsidiary seconds, and an up-down indicator below 12 o'clock • Dial inscription partially visible including 'HAMILTON, LANCASTER, PA., U.S.A.' and 'PROPERTY U.S. ARMY' • Brass winding key seated in a cylindrical holder in the right corner of the casing
- Technical Specifications
- The instrument is reported to feature a 14-jewel chain fusee movement with a chronometer detent escapement. It includes a poised balance wheel and a 56-hour power reserve. A service label on the inner rim of the gimbaled bowl is marked '10422 Overhaul Due JUN 85'. The movement has not been uncased for verification in the provided source material.
- Historical Context and Origin
- This Hamilton Model 21 marine chronometer is described as dating to circa 1940. The piece is attributed to the U.S. Army, with dial markings noting 'Property U.S. Army.' The source states that Hamilton was one of the companies enlisted by the U.S. military to produce chronometers in anticipation of World War II.
- Dial and Exterior Observations
- The chronometer is mounted in a mahogany box featuring a gimbal mechanism and brass corner brackets. An internal label on the lid is titled 'STARTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR HAMILTON SIZE 85 CHRONOMETERS.' A brass winding key is held in a cylindrical casing holder. The silvered dial displays Arabic numerals, blued hands, a subsidiary seconds dial, and an up-down indicator. The dial is signed 'HAMILTON, LANCASTER, PA., U.S.A.' and 'PROPERTY U.S. ARMY.'
Identification
- Reference
- Model 21
- 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: Movement is not directly photographed uncased; technical details are source-reported
- Research required: Specific chronometer movement serial number is not provided in the text or clearly legible on the dial face