$1,495
Thomas Mercer, St. Albans, made for Kelvin Wilfrid O. White Co, Boston & New York, No. 15512, circa 1925 Fine mahogany two-day marine chronometer with winding indicator. Three-body, with brass handles, all the edges protected by heavy brass inlay, the glazed upper section with hinged lid. Brass bowl and gimballed suspension. Silvered with Roman numerals, outer minute ring, subsidiary seconds and up-and-down scale. Blued steel “spade” hands. 82 mm, gilt brass full plate with baluster pillars secured by screws, 11 jewels, fusee with chain and maintaining power, spring detent escapement, two-arm bimetallic compensation balance with cylindrical weights and two mean time adjusting nuts, free sprung blued steel helical balance spring with terminal curves, diamond endstone.Signed on dial, numbered on dial and case.Dim. Bowl 115 mm., box 20 x 20 x 20 cm. Notes Kelvin Wilfrid O. White Co, founded in 1916 by an Australian Wilfred O. White who married a daughter of George Eldridge. Eldridge, along with his father Capt. Eldridge were well known in the marine circles. The senior published “Compass Test”, a standard reference for the mariners of the time, and the son published “The Tide Tables” which were so popular that were printed in over 100 editions. In 1921 Kelvin was added to the company. Because of the reputation of the founders, as well as the quality of the product, the Kelvin White chronometers enjoyed wide spread popularity.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2004-12-01
