Joseph Sewill two-day marine chronometer
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th Century
Maker / issuer
Joseph SewillA 19th-century two-day marine chronometer by Joseph Sewill of Liverpool, bearing serial number 5716 engraved within the subsidiary seconds dial. According to the auction catalogue, the instrument is housed in a three-tier oak case with brass fittings and an exterior bone plaque reading 'Supplied by N.V Observer'.
The silvered dial features Roman hour numerals, an outer minute ring, a power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock, and prize medal award emblems dated 1862 and 1867. The dial also records the maker's address at 61 South Castle Street and denotes 'Maker to the Admiralty'.
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
- Key
- Original chronometer 'tipsy' key
- Type
- Two-day marine chronometer
- Maker
- Joseph Sewill (Liverpool)
- Awards
- Prize medal awards (1862 and 1867)
- Housing
- 3 tier oak case with brass fittings
- Dial Features
- Silvered dial with Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, and power reserve indicator
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Exterior Plaque
- Bone plaque reading 'Supplied by N.V Observer'
- Maker / attribution
- Joseph Sewill
Design
- Visible features
- • The number 5716 is prominently engraved within the subsidiary seconds dial. • The dial is signed 'JOSEPH SEWILL, LIVERPOOL' and flanked by '61 So Castle St' and 'Maker to the Admiralty'. • Two red and gold circular prize medal award emblems dated 1862 and 1867 flank the 12 o'clock power reserve dial. • The instrument is mounted in a brass gimbal ring inside a wooden box.
- Housing and Mounting
- As recorded in the visible observations, 'The instrument is mounted in a brass gimbal ring inside a wooden box.' This arrangement preserves the horizontal orientation typical of maritime navigational timepieces. The auction description states that the instrument is 'housed in a 3 tier oak case with brass fittings and an exterior bone plaque 'Supplied by N.V Observer''. While the brass gimbal ring is visible around the bowl, the exterior panels and the bone plaque are not depicted in the primary dial photograph.
- Dial Inscriptions and Layout
- The instrument features a silvered dial configured with Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial, and an upper subsidiary power reserve indicator. The dial explicitly identifies the maker and location, being signed 'JOSEPH SEWILL, LIVERPOOL' and flanked by '61 So Castle St' and 'Maker to the Admiralty'. Within the subsidiary seconds dial, 'The number 5716 is prominently engraved within the subsidiary seconds dial.' In addition, 'Two red and gold circular prize medal award emblems dated 1862 and 1867 flank the 12 o'clock power reserve dial.'
- Mechanical Movement and Operational Claims
- The auction catalogue classifies the lot as a 'two-day marine chronometer' and claims it is 'In working order with the original chronometer 'tipsy' key.' Because internal movement plates and mechanical escapement parts are not displayed uncased in the provided record, the stated working order and key originality remain unverified source reports rather than established facts.
Identification
- Serial number
- 5716
- 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 movement is not visible uncased.
- Research required: Stated working order and presence of original tipsy key are source-reported and not visible in the primary photograph.