Larcum Kendall K1 Marine Timekeeper
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1769
The K1 marine timekeeper is an 18th-century precision instrument completed in 1769 by Larcum Kendall in London, commissioned by the Board of Longitude as an exact copy of John Harrison's H4.
According to the National Maritime Museum, the instrument features a 102 mm white enamel dial adorned with floral and foliage scrolling patterns at the quarters, Roman hour numerals, and outer Arabic five- and ten-minute figures. The brass movement incorporates Harrison's maintaining power, a remontoir, an adapted verge escapement with diamond pallets, and a bimetallic compensation curb. The timekeeper is housed in a large silver pair case bearing London hallmarks for 1769–70.
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
- Marine timekeeper
- Dimensions
- 165 x 124 x 28 mm
- Escapement
- Harrison's adapted verge escapement with diamond pallets
- Dial Diameter
- 102 mm
- Case Hallmarks
- London, 1769-70 by Peter Mournier
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Maker / attribution
- Larcum Kendall
- Maker's Inscription
- Larcum Kendall LONDON 1769
Design
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial featuring Roman numerals for hours and an outer chapter ring with Arabic five-minute numerals • Intricate floral and foliage scrolling decoration painted at the four quarters outside the hour track • Blued steel beetle and poker hands paired with a slender central pointer seconds hand with counterpoise • Silver pair case fitted with a stirrup-shaped bow and a prominent side hinge
- Casing and Provenance
- The timekeeper is contained within a silver pair case with a stirrup bow, measuring 165 mm in height, 124 mm in width, and 28 mm in depth. Both the inner and outer cases bear London hallmarks for 1769–70 and the maker's mark ‘P.M.’ for Peter Mournier. The silver case was rhodium plated in the 1940s. The instrument is recorded as being in fine condition with some slight scratches to the finish on the case.
- Mechanical Construction
- The movement is a brass, one-day full plate fusee design with four turned pillars. It features Harrison’s maintaining power and a remontoir interposed at the fourth wheel, with the plate engraved ‘Larcum Kendall LONDON 1769’. The instrument utilizes Harrison’s adapted verge escapement with diamond pallets and a hardened steel balance. It includes a three-turn blued steel spiral balance spring acting against a bimetallic compensation curb and an isochronal curb pin. The jewelling extends to the balance, escape, contrate, and third wheels.
- Dial and Visual Appointments
- The timekeeper features a 102 mm white enamel dial created in imitation of John Harrison's H4. It displays Roman hour numerals and an outer chapter ring with Arabic ten-minute figures, with floral and foliage scrolling patterns painted at the quarters. The hands are made of polished and blued steel in a beetle and poker style. They are paired with a slender central pointer seconds hand that features a counterpoised tail.
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: Movement and movement plate engraving are not visible in the provided exterior photograph
- Research required: The source reports the silver case was rhodium plated in the 1940s