Litherland Davies & Co. Two-Day Marine Chronometer, No. 1009-18643
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1860
This two-day marine chronometer is attributed by Sotheby's to Litherland Davies & Co., Liverpool, dating to circa 1860 and catalogued under number 1009-18643. The instrument features a 9.5 cm silvered dial with Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial, and an up/down winding indicator.
According to the auction description, the movement is a fusee with maintaining power, an Earnshaw spring detent escapement, compensation balance, and helical spring, though the movement itself is unsigned. The brass bowl is gimbal-mounted in a brass-bound mahogany three-tier box measuring 14.5 cm square, bearing an exterior circular ivory plaque inscribed '1009'.
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
- Two-day marine chronometer
- Escapement
- Earnshaw's spring detent escapement
- Dial Diameter
- 9.5 cm
- Serial Number
- No. 1009-18643
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Case Dimensions
- 14.5 cm square
- Maker and Origin
- Litherland Davies & Co., Liverpool
- Maker / attribution
- Litherland Davies & Co.
- Movement Inscription Status
- Not signed
Design
- Visible features
- • The brass chronometer bowl is gimbal-mounted inside a three-tier mahogany box fitted with brass corner brackets. • A circular plaque reading '1009' is affixed beneath a star-shaped brass escutcheon on the front panel of the upper lid. • The silvered dial displays Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds track, an up/down state-of-wind dial, and maker lettering across the center. • The up/down register lacks an indicator hand in the photograph.
- Construction and Housing
- The instrument is housed in a three-tier, brass-bound mahogany case featuring flush-fitting side handles. The chronometer bowl is gimbal-mounted within this structure. An ivory plaque inscribed '1009' is affixed to the front panel, situated beneath a star-shaped brass escutcheon. The case dimensions are stated as 14.5 cm square. While the auction source references a lined outer case with a strap, this item is not visible in the available photographic record.
- Dial and Visual Features
- The chronometer features a 9.5 cm silvered dial, which includes Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial, and an up/down register. The auction condition report notes that the up/down hand is missing. It further states that the minute hand is not original.
- Mechanism and Attribution
- The source attributes the instrument to Litherland Davies & Co., Liverpool, with a date of circa 1860. The movement is described as a fusee type with maintaining power, utilizing an Earnshaw's spring detent escapement, a compensation balance, and a helical spring. The auction cataloguer notes that the movement itself is not signed.
Identification
- Serial number
- 1009-18643
- 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: The auction condition report states the minute hand is non-original and the up/down hand is missing.
- Research required: The auction cataloguer notes that the movement itself is not signed.
- Research required: The lined outer travel case with strap mentioned in the auction description is not shown in the image.