14,160 CHF
“Privateer Chronometer, Thomas Barry Esq. to his friend Capt. Mudge” Thomas Earnshaw, Invt. Et Fecit, London, No. 638/3090. The cases with London hallmarks for 1802-04. Very fine and rare, silver gilt, pair-cased pocket chronometer with “Z” balance. Outer: two-body, by Richard Grove (mastermark RG), 1804, engine-turned, the center engraved around a crest with three “fleur-de-lys”: “GULIELMO SUO DE MALO LACU D D MORIENS ZACH MUDGE AD MDCCCLXVII, inner: two-body, “bassine”, polished, (mastermark TH), 1802. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, large subsidiary seconds, centre inscribed “Thos. Barry Esqr. To his friend Captn. Mudge”. Gold heart and poker hands. 47 mm., frosted gilt full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain with Harrison’s maintaining power, Earnshaw spring detent escapement, bimetallic “Z” balance with wedge-shaped sliding temperature weights and two gold meantime screws, single footed cock with diamond endstone, escapement jeweled, blued steel free-sprung helical balance spring with outer terminal curves.Dial and movement signed. Dial signed on the reverse before firing “Earn Invt 638 Old Komn”. Diam. 65 mm. To be sold without reserve Notes Thomas Earnshaw Was instrumental in the development of the modern chronometer. For 200 years afterward the vast majority of marine chronometers have been constructed after the principles introduced by Earnshaw in the late 18th century and implemented in this watch. A privateer vessel
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2006-05-14
