Marine chronometer by Vissière, No. 121
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1780-1799
This marine chronometer was made by Vissière in Argenteuil, France, dated by the museum to between 1780 and 1799 (or 1780–1800 in the catalogue text). Housed in a brass bowl mounted inside a gimballed wooden transport box, the instrument features a weighted base.
Its white enamel dial displays a central seconds hand, subsidiary dials for hours and minutes, and a lower up-and-down power reserve indicator. The dial is signed 'Vissière Argenteuil (Seine et Oise) No. 121'. According to source records, the movement is powered by a fusee mechanism with a spring detent escapement, two-arm compensation balance, and helical balance spring, and originally formed part of the collection of the Reverend Henry Nelthropp.
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
- Box marine chronometer
- Dimensions
- Overall: 170 mm x 175 mm x 165 mm, dial: 78 mm
- Place recorded
- France
- Dial inscription
- Vissière Argenteuil (Seine et Oise) No. 121
- Maker and origin
- Vissière, Argenteuil, France
- Movement signature
- Vissière, No. 121
- Maker / attribution
- Vissière
- Escapement and movement
- Fusee movement with spring detent escapement
- Provenance note
- Reverend Henry Nelthropp collection
Design
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial with central seconds hand, subsidiary dials for hours and minutes, and an up-and-down indicator near the base. • Brass bowl suspended in a circular brass gimbal ring within an open, hinged wooden box. • Brass drop handles mounted on the sides of the wooden case and a brass key escutcheon on the front face. • A cord attached to the gimbal ring is threaded forward through the case.
- Dial Configuration
- The white enamel dial measures 78 mm in diameter. It features a centre seconds hand, separate hour and minute rings, and an up-and-down indicator at the base. The dial is signed 'Vissière Argenteuil (Seine et Oise) No. 121'.
- Movement and Mechanism
- The movement is a fusee type featuring a spring detent escapement. It utilizes a two-arm compensation balance and a helical balance-spring described as having no terminal curves. The movement is marked with the signature 'Vissière, No. 121'.
- Construction and Housing
- The instrument is housed in a wooden transport box featuring a brass bowl suspended within a circular brass gimbal ring. The bottom of the brass casing is weighted. Exterior fittings include brass drop handles on the sides of the wooden case and a brass key escutcheon on the front. A cord attached to the gimbal ring is threaded forward through the case.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The chronometer was historically part of the collection of the Reverend Henry Nelthropp. The source documentation provides conflicting date ranges of 1780-1799 and 1780-1800 for the object's manufacture.
Identification
- Object number
- L2015-3490
- Serial number
- 121
- 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 mechanisms (fusee, spring detent escapement, and helical balance spring) are enclosed within the brass casing and not visible in the photograph.
- Research required: The source text provides slightly differing date ranges of 1780-1799 in the metadata and 1780-1800 in the narrative text.