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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer

A Boxed Two-Day Marine Chronometer with Auxiliary Compensation, John Poole, No. 2982

Partially verified

This two-day marine chronometer by John Poole, numbered 2982, is gimbal-mounted in a brass bowl and housed in a brass-bound rosewood deck box. The silvered dial measures 4 inches in diameter and displays Roman chapters, an outer minute track, a 54-hour winding indicator, subsidiary seconds, and gold hands. According to the auction catalogue, the movement features a gilt full plate, fusee and chain, spring detent escapement, a free-sprung helical spring, and a two-arm bimetallic balance fitted with Poole's auxiliary compensation.

John Poole two-day marine chronometer No. 2982 in brass-bound rosewood box
John Poole two-day marine chronometer No. 2982 in brass-bound rosewood box — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
John Poole
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
2
Source-reported date
Not established
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
2982

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Maker Identity and Dial Presentation

The auction catalogue identifies the instrument as 'John Poole, 57 Fenchurch Street, London, No.2982'. Its dial diameter is stated as '4 in diam of dial' with a 'Silvered' finish, marked with a 'minute ring enclosing roman chapters'.

The dial configuration is reported to include a '54 hour winding indicator', 'subsidiary seconds', and 'gold hands'. In direct observation, the silvered dial is seen with Roman numerals, an upper up/down winding indicator, and a lower subsidiary seconds register.

Evidence for this section
  • “John Poole, 57 Fenchurch Street, London, No.2982”
  • “4 in diam of dial”
  • “Silvered, minute ring enclosing roman chapters, 54 hour winding indicator, subsidiary seconds, gold hands”
  • “The silvered dial displays Roman numerals, an upper up/down winding indicator, and a lower subsidiary seconds register.”

Reported Movement Mechanism

The movement is not directly visible in the provided image. According to the auction listing's technical description, it features a 'Gilt full plate' with 'fusee and chain' and a 'spring detent escapement'.

The regulating assembly is catalogued as a 'two arm bimetallic balance with timing screws and cylindrical weights, free sprung with helical spring and Poole's auxiliary compensation'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gilt full plate, fusee and chain, spring detent escapement, two arm bimetallic balance with timing screws and cylindrical weights, free sprung with helical spring and Poole's auxiliary compensation”

Mounting, Deck Box, and Incomplete Casing

The case assembly is described as 'Gimbal mounted in a brass bowl with shuttered winding aperture, brass bound rosewood deck box (lacking upper lid)'. Direct visual inspection shows that the chronometer is gimbal-mounted within a dark wood deck box fitted with brass corner brackets.

The imagery reveals the deck box with its glazed middle lid raised and the uppermost lid missing. Additionally, an observation notes a rectangular engraved brass plaque mounted to the top wood surround of the hinged glazed middle section.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gimbal mounted in a brass bowl with shuttered winding aperture, brass bound rosewood deck box (lacking upper lid)”
  • “The chronometer is gimbal-mounted within a dark wood deck box fitted with brass corner brackets.”
  • “The deck box shows the glazed middle lid raised, with the uppermost lid not present.”
  • “A rectangular engraved brass plaque is mounted to the top wood surround of the hinged glazed middle section.”

Open research questions

  • What text or serial numbering is engraved on the rectangular brass plaque mounted to the glazed section surround?
  • Does the serial number 2982 appear engraved directly on the movement's gilt plates or balance assembly?
  • What are the precise outer dimensions of the surviving rosewood deck box sections?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A Boxed Two-Day Marine Chronometer with Auxiliary Compensation, John Poole, No. 2982
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and AddressJohn Poole, 57 Fenchurch Street, London, No.2982“John Poole, 57 Fenchurch Street, London, No.2982”
MovementGilt full plate, fusee and chain, spring detent escapement, Poole's auxiliary compensation“Gilt full plate, fusee and chain, spring detent escapement, two arm bimetallic balance with timing screws and cylindrical weights, free sprung with helical spring and Poole's auxiliary compensation”
Dial DetailsSilvered dial with Roman chapters, 54-hour winding indicator, subsidiary seconds, gold hands“Silvered, minute ring enclosing roman chapters, 54 hour winding indicator, subsidiary seconds, gold hands”
Case and MountingGimbal-mounted in a brass bowl; brass-bound rosewood deck box lacking upper lid“Gimbal mounted in a brass bowl with shuttered winding aperture, brass bound rosewood deck box (lacking upper lid)”
Dial Diameter4 inches“4 in diam of dial”
Auction Sale PriceUS$2,422.50 inc. premium“Sold for US$2,422.50 inc. premium”
Auction Sale Date and Location18 – 30 November 2022, Online, New York“Watches Online 18 – 30 November 2022, 13:00 EST Online, New York”

Visible details

  • The chronometer is gimbal-mounted within a dark wood deck box fitted with brass corner brackets.
  • A rectangular engraved brass plaque is mounted to the top wood surround of the hinged glazed middle section.
  • The silvered dial displays Roman numerals, an upper up/down winding indicator, and a lower subsidiary seconds register.
  • The deck box shows the glazed middle lid raised, with the uppermost lid not present.

Research qualifications

  • The source notes that the deck box is lacking its upper lid.
  • The movement interior and auxiliary compensation mechanism are not directly visible in the photograph.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Bonhams : A BOXED TWO-DAY MARINE CHRONOMETER WITH AUXILIARY COMPENSATION John Poole, 57 Fenchurch Street, London, No.2982

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 03a641e3ed

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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