Lewis Walduck
Cataloguer
Lot 66A*
A rare second quarter of the 19th century mahogany two day marine chronometer Arnold & Dent, 84 Strand, London, No.1278
2 July 2025, 13:00 BST
London, New Bond StreetSold for £3,840 inc. premium
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A rare second quarter of the 19th century mahogany two day marine chronometer
Arnold & Dent, 84 Strand, London, No.1278
The mahogany case with brass carrying handles to the side, sprung brass button to the top lid and replacement synthetic number plaque, on a velvet covered base. The gimballed bowl punched 1287 to the inside, and set in lockable gimbals. The signed and numbered 3.5 inch silvered Roman dial with blued steel hands, subsidiary power reserve marked in 8-hour increments and large seconds dial with 'Observatory Marks'. The chain fusee movement with Harrison's maintaining power, blued steel set-up click, cut and compensated bi-metallic balance with helical spring and Earnshaw detent escapement. Ticking. 15cms (6ins) high.
The mahogany case with brass carrying handles to the side, sprung brass button to the top lid and replacement synthetic number plaque, on a velvet covered base. The gimballed bowl punched 1287 to the inside, and set in lockable gimbals. The signed and numbered 3.5 inch silvered Roman dial with blued steel hands, subsidiary power reserve marked in 8-hour increments and large seconds dial with 'Observatory Marks'. The chain fusee movement with Harrison's maintaining power, blued steel set-up click, cut and compensated bi-metallic balance with helical spring and Earnshaw detent escapement. Ticking. 15cms (6ins) high.
Footnotes
Arnold & Dent, operating from 84 Strand, London, was a distinguished partnership between John Roger Arnold—son of the famed chronometer maker John Arnold—and the talented and enterprising Edward John Dent. Formed in 1830, the firm quickly gained renown for its superior chronometers and precision timepieces, as well as high-profile commissions, including work for the Royal Observatory. The partnership thrived largely due to Dent's technical innovation and business drive. Upon the expiry of their ten-year agreement in 1840, Dent founded his own firm, E. Dent & Co., taking with him the confidence of many clients. Nevertheless, the Arnold & Dent name remains associated with some of the finest chronometers of the period.
Literature: This chronometer is described and illustrated in Staeger, H. (1997) 100 Years of Precision Timekeepers from John Arnold to Arnold & Frodhsam 1763 – 1862. Gerlingen: Karl Dieringer, pages 523 and 526.
Provenance:
Gerd-Rudiger Lang.
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