THE PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE COLLECTOR
A ONE-DAY ROYAL OBSERVATORY MARINE CHRONOMETER

Details
A ONE-DAY ROYAL OBSERVATORY MARINE CHRONOMETER
John Roger Arnold, No. 452

the silvered dial now signed DENT, and continuing LONDON 452, Roman hour numerals, subsidiary seconds dial, blued steel hands top plate inscribed Jno. R. Arnold, LONDON, Invt et Fecit No. 452, 18000 count quick train, Earnshaw escapement, inverted undersprung cut bimetallic balance, particularly long balance staff, segmental heat compensation weights, undersprung blued steel helical balance spring with adjustable bottom stud, dovetail spring detent to side of banking block, jewelled locking stone, deep brass bowl, Arnold type broad rectangular section brass gimbal with swivel locking arm assembly, three-tier plain mahogany box (top lid possibly later), bone ivory disc to bottom section inscribed 452, external brass drop handles
78mm. dial diam., 160mm. sq. box

Lot Essay

PROVENANCE:
1820: H.M.S. TRIBUNE on the Mediterranean Station, issued 29 March to Captain N.J. Willoughby R.N.
1822: H.M. Survey Ship SHAMROCK; issued to Captain Martin White R.N. 16 January. Used in surveying coast of Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, the Caskets and the English Channel east of Beachy Head.
1825: H.M.S. SCYLLA on the Jamaica Station, issued 25 October to Commander George Young R.N. Transferred 29 November 1825 to Captain G. Russell.
1828: at Royal Naval College, Portsmouth in custody of H.W. Jeans.
1829: 18 April arrived at Devonport "By the Echo Steamer" and taken on charge by William Cox, Admiralty chronometer agent, Fore Street, Devonport. William Cox was John Roger Arnold's agent for the sale of his chronometers. H.M.S. ZEBRA on the Mediterranean Station; issued 19 May to Captain B. Pridham R.N.
1837: H.M.S. LYRA at Falmouth; issued 7 February 1837 to Lieutenant James St. John R.N. H.M.S. FAVOURITE on her return from Mediterranean Station and issued 4 November 1837 to Commander Croker R.N.
1844: With Arnold who reports "Pendulum spring rusty, must have new one and be readjusted at a cost of ¨4.10.0.
1845: in his letter to G.B.Airy, Astronomer Royal, dated 29 May 1845, Dent reports that Arnold No. 452 along with five other Arnold chronometers, is not worth while repairing and offering ¨21.3.0. against a new chronometer.
1846: in his letter to the Astronomer Royal, dated 12 March 1846 the Hydrographer of the Navy, Admiral Francis Beaufort confirms that Arnold No. 452 is to be exchanged with Dent for his new chronometer No. 1916.

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