Thomas Mercer Ltd. Cased Two-Day Marine Chronometer
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
20th Century
This 20th-century English two-day marine chronometer is attributed by the source to Thomas Mercer Ltd. of St. Albans, England, and is marked with serial number 19920.
The instrument is housed within a gimballed brass bowl set into a wooden transport case displaying dovetail joinery, a keyhole escutcheon, and an affixed retailer plaque citing F.C.R. Wiggins in Reading. The auction condition report notes that the clock does not run when wound and exhibits minor rusting beneath the bowl, alongside minor surface wear on the timber case.
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
- Serial number
- 19920
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Case dimensions
- Height 6 5/8 x width 7 x depth 7 1/4 inches
- Retailer plaque
- Supplied by / F.C.R. Wiggins / 15 Oxford St. Chamber / Reading / No. 19920
- Overall diameter
- 10 1/2 inches
- Maker attribution
- Thomas Mercer Ltd., St. Albans, England
- Maker / attribution
- Thomas Mercer Ltd.
- Operational condition
- Does not run when wound
Design
- Condition
- The source states that the clock does not run when wound. Reported defects include minor rusting to the underside of the clock case and minor scuffs and surface wear to the wooden case. Visibility of the dial and hands is limited in the provided photography.
- Visible features
- • Dovetail-jointed wooden box with an open, hinged glazed lid supported by brass hardware. • Circular brass bezel and bowl mounted within gimbal suspension. • Vertical knurled locking thumbscrew mounted at the interior right corner of the box. • Keyhole escutcheon positioned centered on the front face of the lower wooden section.
- Construction and Housing
- The chronometer is housed within a wooden case with a hinged lid. The movement is contained in a circular brass bowl mounted on gimbals. The case features a keyhole escutcheon on the front face and includes an internal locking thumbscrew.
- Identity and Attribution
- This marine chronometer is attributed to Thomas Mercer Ltd. of St. Albans, England, and is identified by serial number 19920. The object is recorded as a 20th-century two-day marine chronometer, with a retailer plaque identifying 'F.C.R. Wiggins' of Reading.
Identification
- Serial number
- 19920
- 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 dial and hands are largely unreadable due to the oblique viewing angle and lighting in the catalog photograph.
- Research required: The source reports the clock does not run when wound and shows minor rusting on the underside of the clock case.