John Poole Eight-Day Marine Chronometer No. 2975
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
third quarter of the 19th century
According to the auction catalog, this eight-day marine chronometer by John Poole features an Earnshaw-type detent escapement mounted on a subframe with a blued steel helical spring, bi-metallic balance, cylindrical timing weights, and Poole's auxiliary compensation.
The movement is fitted with maintaining power, spotted plates, and a chain fusee. The 4.25-inch silvered Roman dial includes subsidiary dials for seconds and state of wind, signed and numbered 2975. The brass bowl is suspended in gimbals with a counterweight and sprung dust cover within a three-tier rosewood case featuring brass-banded edges, campaign handles, and an ivory plaque.
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
- Eight-day marine chronometer
- Case Height
- 22 cm (8.5 in)
- Dial Diameter
- 4.25 inches
- Maker Address
- 57 Fenchurch Street, London
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Case Construction
- Three-tier rosewood case with brass banding and campaign handles
- Maker / attribution
- John Poole
- Escapement and Balance
- Earnshaw type detent escapement on subframe with Poole's auxiliary compensation
Design
- Visible features
- • Open three-tier rosewood chronometer box displaying brass corner banding and strung inlay borders • Silvered dial with Roman hour numerals, subsidiary state-of-wind dial below XII, and subsidiary seconds dial above VI • Chronometer bowl mounted on brass gimbal ring with locking and gimbal hardware visible • Recessed brass flush campaign-style handle on the side of the wooden box and keyhole at the front • Small white rectangular plaque inlaid on the upper edge of the case lid
- Dial and Visual Presentation
- The instrument is described in the auction catalog as having a 4.25-inch silvered dial with Roman numerals and two subsidiary dials indicating the state of wind and running seconds. Visible inspection confirms the Roman hour chapter ring, the state-of-wind subsidiary register positioned below XII, and the subsidiary seconds dial placed above VI. The dial is recorded as signed and numbered, corresponding to the lot heading naming maker John Poole at 57 Fenchurch Street, London, and serial number 2975. The chronometer bowl is visibly supported by a brass gimbal mounting within a wood chronometer box.
- Dating and Regulatory Notices
- Bonhams describes the piece as dating to the 'third quarter of the 19th century'. No specific year of manufacture or workshop completion entry is recorded in the catalog entry. The lot includes warning symbols and clauses related to ivory and endangered species controls. The catalog notes that the item contains ivory, cannot be imported into the United States or the European Union, and is subject to CITES export regulations outside the United Kingdom.
- Case and Mounting Construction
- The chronometer is housed within a three-tier rosewood case recorded with an overall height of 22 cm (8.5 inches). The exterior woodwork features brass-banded edges and strung borders, with recessed campaign-style handles mounted on the case sides and an ivory plaque inlaid on the cover. Direct observation shows the three-tier box with brass corner banding, a recessed handle on the side, a keyhole at the front, and a white plaque on the upper lid. The brass bowl is held in gimbals and is cataloged as being numbered and fitted with a counterweight and a sprung dust cover.
Identification
- Serial number
- 2975
- 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 mechanics including the chain fusee, spotted plates, and auxiliary compensation escapement are enclosed within the brass bowl and not visible in the photograph
- Research required: Case contains ivory, which is subject to CITES and regional trade regulations