Thomas Mercer Eight-Day Ship's Chronometer
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
First Half 20th Century
This English eight-day marine chronometer is attributed by the source to Thomas Mercer of St. Albans and dated to the first half of the 20th century. The instrument is mounted in a gimbal ring inside a brass-bound wooden box equipped with brass side-carrying handles.
Both the case and dial are numbered 1184N. The dial features Roman numeral hour markers, blued hands, an up-and-down state-of-wind indicator below XII, and a subsidiary seconds register above VI. Accessories include a winding key and a lock key. The source reports that the movement takes a wind but does not run.
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
- Numbering
- 1184N
- Maker and Date
- Thomas Mercer, St. Albans, First Half 20th Century
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Case Dimensions
- Height 9 7/8 x width 8 3/4 x depth 8 1/2 inches
- Reported Condition
- Bent gimbal screw; takes wind but does not appear to run
- Maker / attribution
- Thomas Mercer
- Included Accessories
- Winding key and lock key
Design
- Condition Report
- The source reports that the movement appears intact and takes a wind, but does not appear to run. Physical damage is noted to the gimbal ring, where a bent screw prevents the chronometer from sitting securely in its housing.
- Visible features
- • Chronometer sits tilted in a brass gimbal ring inside an open brass-bound wooden box. • Silvered dial features Roman numeral hour indicators, blued hands, a state-of-wind indicator below XII, and a subsidiary seconds dial above VI. • A key rests upright in the rear-right corner of the wooden case, while a second key is inserted into the front lock escutcheon. • The box lid incorporates an inner glazed aperture. • A round plaque is mounted on the top exterior rim of the wooden case.
- Visual Observations
- The instrument is mounted in a brass gimbal ring. An observation notes the chronometer sits tilted within this ring inside an open brass-bound wooden box, which includes an inner glazed aperture in the lid and an exterior top-mounted plaque. The dial features Roman numeral hour indicators, blued hands, a state-of-wind indicator positioned below XII, and a subsidiary seconds dial located above VI.
- Identity and Documentation
- This marine chronometer is attributed to Thomas Mercer of St. Albans and dated to the first half of the 20th century. The instrument bears the serial number 1184N, which is marked on both the dial and the wooden case. The chronometer is provided with a winding key and a lock key. The case measures 9 7/8 inches in height, 8 3/4 inches in width, and 8 1/2 inches in depth.
Identification
- Serial number
- 1184N
- 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 source notes that a bent screw on the gimbal ring prevents the instrument from sitting securely in its housing.
- Research required: The source reports that the movement appears intact and takes a wind, but does not appear to run.
- Research required: Internal movement caliber specifications and escapement details are not provided by the source.