Morris Tobias Eight-Day Marine Chronometer No. 326
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 1820
This early 19th-century eight-day marine chronometer, numbered 326, is source-attributed to Morris Tobias of 31 Minories, London, circa 1820. The instrument features a 4.25-inch silvered Roman dial displaying blued-steel hands, a subsidiary seconds dial, and an 8-day state-of-wind indicator.
It is mounted in a gimballed brass bowl within a three-part wooden box fitted with brass handles and a numbered circular plaque. According to the auction source, the chain fusee movement includes a crescent-shaped backplate, three turned pillars, and an Earnshaw detent escapement on a sub-plate. Documentation traces ownership to Captain Henry Jones Hanson of the SS Nautilus.
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
- Escapement
- Earnshaw detent escapement
- Provenance
- Captain Henry Jones Hanson
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Dial Description
- 4.25-inch silvered Roman dial
- Maker and Serial
- Morris Tobias, No. 326
- Date of Manufacture
- Circa 1820
- Maker / attribution
- Morris Tobias
- Movement Construction
- Eight-day chain fusee movement
Design
- Visible features
- • Chronometer mounted in a brass gimballed bowl inside an open wooden box with glazed middle section and upper lid. • Silvered dial displays black Roman numerals, blued steel hands, a subsidiary seconds track, and an up/down state-of-wind indicator. • Circular plaque set into the box lid rim inscribed with '326'. • Fitted with brass drop handles on the sides, a front keyhole escutcheon, and a gimbal locking mechanism.
- Dial and Mechanism
- The 4.25-inch silvered dial features a minute band and Roman numerals. It includes blued-steel hands, a subsidiary seconds dial, and a power reserve dial graduated from 1 to 8 days. The movement is a chain fusee type with a crescent-shaped backplate and three turned pillars. The escapement is set on a sub-plate and features a freesprung blued steel spring, a diamond endstone, and an Earnshaw detent escapement with a cut and compensated bimetallic balance.
- Construction and Housing
- The marine chronometer is housed in a three-part wooden case featuring a solid top, a central numeral plaque, and brass side handles on a felt base. The instrument itself is suspended within a gimballed brass bowl equipped with a locking lever. The lot also includes a padded travelling case and keys.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The chronometer is signed by Morris Tobias of 31 Minories, London, and dated circa 1820. Documentation provided with the lot links the item to Captain Henry Jones Hanson of the SS Nautilus. Internal box labels and accompanying historical records, including copies of maritime certificates and a hand-written rate card from 1898, identify the provenance to Captain Hanson and his family.
Identification
- Serial number
- 326
- 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 features including the chain fusee, crescent-shaped backplate, and Earnshaw escapement are housed inside the brass bowl and not visible in the primary image.
- Research required: Provenance to Captain Henry Jones Hanson and historical dates rely on auction catalog documentation and certificates accompanying the lot.