DESCRIPTION:
John Fletcher, 148 Leadenhall St, London, spring detent marine chronometer with Airy's compensation arm and 56-hour winding indicator, mounted in gimbaled brass tub within three-tier mahogany box, signature plaques to front, silvered dial of approximately 4 inch diameter signed "John Fletcher maker to the admiralty 148 Leadenhall St, London 2698 with Airy's compensation arm" as well as with British military pheon (broad arrow) within seconds-register, KWKS, fully capped spring detent escapement, jeweled click pinion, 11-12J, bi-metallic balance with Airy's compensation and helical hairspring, mvt marked with pheon, s#2698 with matching serial number within tub and on plaque to lower front of box. This particular piece was used for the cover image of Konrad Knirim's "British Military Timepieces" book and a copy of this book is included with the present lot. Airy's compensation bar was originally, and for a period of time, at the Admiralty's insistence, added to the balance system to allow symmetrical adjustment for temperature compensation without changing the balance poise; the bar was frictioned onto the staff above the spar, and pressed two opposite spring mounted weights against the rim, which bar could be easily turned to change position and rate, most useful in extreme environments. The Admiralty abandoned its requirement after a short time, and the usefulness of the device was replaced with other options. A notable historical fact from English chronometry is that Thomas Mercer, founder of Mercer chronometers, was an apprentice to John Fletcher from 1854 to 1858 which may well have been while the present piece was produced. Selections from the collection of Tom McIntyre. Mr. McIntyre's website contains stories on many of the watches which can be found here: https://awco.org?collid=300.
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, good winding indicator function, excellent-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, few small surface spots and mild fine scratches; dial with some spotting around the "Fletcher" marking, few small mild surface spots elsewhere; excellent hands; tub and gimbals with some scattered scratches and small areas of finish loss, glass crystal with some very small scattered scratches; box in fine cosmetic condition overall, some bits of wood loss to front panel above center point, some typical exterior scratches, plaque to upper front with losses at left side corners, comes with a locking key. Accompanied book is excellent with some mild wear to dust jacket.
ESTIMATE:
$2000
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$3000
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