Henri Grandjean Maritime Chronometer in Wooden Box
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
This nineteenth-century marine chronometer is signed Henri Grandjean and attributed by Setdart Auction House to England. Encased in a gimbaled brass bowl within a fitted dark wooden box, the instrument features a silvered dial with Roman numerals, an up/down state-of-wind indicator below XII, and a subsidiary seconds dial at VI.
The auction catalog describes traditional construction with circular brass plates, fusee chain transmission, a chronometer escapement, and an open bimetallic balance wheel fitted with a cylindrical balance spring and regulation nuts. The dial is also inscribed with London and a serial number.
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
- Boxed marine chronometer
- Materials
- Carved wood and gilt metal
- Dimensions
- 10.3 x 11 cm
- Place recorded
- England
- Reported Condition
- Requires restoration, with damage and scratches on the inner case
- Maker / attribution
- Henri Grandjean
- Reported Escapement and Balance
- Open bimetallic balance wheel with cylindrical balance-spring and regulation nuts
Design
- Visible features
- • Silvered dial displays Roman hour numerals, blued steel hands, an up/down state-of-wind register beneath XII, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. • The dial is engraved 'Henri Grandjean', 'London', and an individual serial number beneath the signature. • Brass bowl is mounted inside a gimbal ring within a dark-stained wooden box fitted with brass hinges and latch hardware. • The interior of the hinged wooden lid contains a glazed inspection pane with a central mounting boss.
- Casing and Gimbal Mount
- The brass chronometer bowl is suspended within a gimbal ring set into a dark-stained wooden box equipped with brass hinges and latch hardware. The inner side of the hinged wooden lid incorporates a glazed inspection pane centered with a mounting boss. The catalog records the lot's overall measurements as 10.3 x 11 cm, listing the materials as carved wood and gilt metal.
- Dial Presentation and Inscriptions
- The instrument displays a silvered dial with Roman hour numerals and blued steel hands. An up/down state-of-wind register is positioned beneath XII, and a subsidiary seconds dial is located at 6 o'clock. Engraved inscriptions on the dial read 'Henri Grandjean' and 'London', with an individual serial number positioned beneath the signature. The auction catalog attributes the piece to England in the 19th century, while also noting in its biographical overview that Henri Grandjean & Cie was established in Le Locle, Switzerland, in 1824. Visual inspection confirms the presence of the maritime dial layout and inscriptions, though the specific numeric digits of the serial number are not clearly resolved in the catalog record.
- Reported Movement and Physical Condition
- Internal mechanical specifications derive entirely from Setdart Auction House's catalog text, as the movement itself is not directly visible. The listing describes traditional construction consisting of circular brass plates, a fusee chain transmission ('snail of force and transmission by chain'), and a chronometer escapement. The regulator is cataloged as a standard open bimetallic balance wheel fitted with a cylindrical balance spring and thermal and running regulation nuts. The auctioneer explicitly notes that the lot is in need of restoration and exhibits damage and scratches on the inner case.
Identification
- 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: Internal mechanism details—such as the chronometer escapement, bimetallic balance, and fusee chain transmission—are reported by the auction house and not visible in the provided image.
- Research required: The auction house states the piece requires restoration and exhibits damage and scratches on the inner case.
- Research required: While the maker Henri Grandjean was established in Le Locle, Switzerland, the auction listing attributes origin to England, matching the dial inscription 'London'.