Whyte, Thomson & Co. Two-Day Marine Chronometer No. 5737
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1895
This marine chronometer is housed in a three-tier brass-bound mahogany box fitted with an exterior brass plaque bearing serial number 5737. The engraved silvered dial is signed by Whyte, Thomson & Co., Glasgow & South Shields, noting their appointment as makers to the Admiralty, and features an up/down power reserve indicator alongside a subsidiary seconds dial numbered 5737.
According to the seller, the gimbal-mounted movement possesses a two-day duration fusee mechanism with an Earnshaw design spring detent, a cut bi-metallic balance, and a blued steel helical balance spring with compensating weights.
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
- Dimensions
- 8 inches / 20 cm
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Box description
- Three-tier brass-bound mahogany box with brass label numbered 5737
- Dial inscription
- 'WHYTE THOMSON & CO GLASGOW & SOUTH SHIELDS, MAKER TO THE ADMIRALTY'
- Mechanism details
- Two-day duration fusee mechanism with cut bi-metallic balance and Earnshaw design spring detent
- Maker / attribution
- Whyte, Thomson & Co.
- Working dates of maker
- 1872–1924 in Glasgow
Design
- Visible features
- • Chronometer is mounted in a brass gimbal within the glazed middle section of a three-tier mahogany box. • A key is inserted into the escutcheon on the lower front section of the box below the brass plaque. • Silvered dial displays Roman numerals, an upper subsidiary state-of-wind dial (marked 'DOWN' and 'UP'), and a lower subsidiary seconds dial marked '5737'. • Dial is signed 'Whyte Thomson & Co / MAKERS TO THE ADMIRALTY / GLASGOW & SOUTH SHIELDS.' • A winding key or gimbal clamp key rests in a socket in the upper-right corner within the case.
- Case Construction
- The marine chronometer is housed in a three-tier mahogany box featuring brass corner bindings and an exterior brass plaque marked with serial number 5737. The interior contains a rotating gimbal that can be locked. The lower section of the box includes an escutcheon for a key, and a storage socket for a key is present in the upper-right corner of the case.
- Dial and Inscriptions
- The silvered, engraved dial features Roman numerals, a power reserve indicator, and a subsidiary seconds dial numbered 5737. The dial is signed 'WHYTE THOMSON & CO GLASGOW & SOUTH SHIELDS, MAKER TO THE ADMIRALTY'.
- Movement and Attribution
- The source describes a two-day duration fusee mechanism, a cut bi-metallic balance with a blued steel helical balance spring, and an Earnshaw design spring detent. These technical details are not independently verified via the available images. The dealer attributes the manufacture to circa 1895, consistent with the firm's documented operation at 144 Broomielaw, Glasgow, between 1872 and 1924.
Identification
- Serial number
- 5737
- 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 details, escapement, and balance assembly are source-reported and not visible in the photograph.
- Research required: Circa 1895 date is a dealer attribution.