Thomas Mercer Two-Day Marine Chronometer
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
20th Century
This 20th-century marine chronometer by Thomas Mercer is mounted in a brass gimbal within a mahogany box. The circular silvered dial features black Arabic numerals, an upper subsidiary dial tracking state-of-wind up to 56 hours, and a lower subsidiary seconds dial marked with the number 28400.
The dial is signed in script 'Thomas Mercer' at the center and marked 'THOMAS MERCER LTD ST ALBANS ENGLAND' along the outer lower periphery. The auction house reports that it houses a two-day chain-driven fusee movement with a compensated detent escapement and Harrison maintaining power, accompanied by a tipsy winding key stored in a corner bracket.
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
- Included key
- Tipsy winding key
- Case material
- Mahogany
- Movement type
- Two-day chain-driven fusee movement
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Case dimensions
- 18.5 cm wide
- Maker / attribution
- Thomas Mercer
Design
- Visible features
- • Dial features Arabic numerals for hour markings rather than the Roman numerals stated in the auction description • Signed 'Thomas Mercer' across the center and inscribed '28400' on the lower subsidiary seconds dial • Signed 'THOMAS MERCER LTD ST ALBANS ENGLAND' at the bottom rim of the dial • Gimbaled brass bowl is fitted inside a square wooden case alongside a brass winding key set in a corner mount • Upper subsidiary dial is calibrated for up to 56 hours of wind
- Mechanical Details
- The auction source reports that the chronometer houses a two-day chain-driven fusee movement, a compensated detent escapement, and Harrison maintaining power. Internal components are not visible in the available documentation.
- Construction and Housing
- The chronometer is mounted in a brass gimbal within a mahogany box measuring 18.5 cm in width, which includes a glazed viewing window. A tipsy winding key is stored in a corner bracket within the mahogany enclosure.
- Dial and Visual Identification
- The timepiece features a circular silvered dial signed 'Thomas Mercer' in script at the center. The lower outer periphery is inscribed 'THOMAS MERCER LTD ST ALBANS ENGLAND'. While the source description cites Roman numerals, the visible dial displays black Arabic numerals for hour markings. The dial layout includes two subsidiary registers: an upper dial calibrated for up to 56 hours of power reserve and a lower seconds dial. The seconds dial is marked with the number '28400'.
Identification
- Serial number
- 28400
- 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: Auction cataloguer text mistakenly reports the dial as having Roman numerals, whereas the dial visibly displays Arabic numerals
- Research required: Movement is not visible in the photograph; mechanical escapement and fusee details are source-reported