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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Boxed marine chronometer

Dobbie McInnes & Clyde Ltd. two-day marine chronometer

Partially verified

This two-day marine chronometer by Dobbie McInnes & Clyde Ltd. is housed in a three-tier mahogany box featuring brass furniture. The instrument employs an 11-jewel fusee movement equipped with Harrison's maintaining power and an Earnshaw's escapement. Technical components include a cut bimetallic balance, a helical balance spring, and a diamond end stone. The movement is suspended within a gimbaled, lacquered brass bowl to ensure stability during nautical use. The silvered dial is marked with black Roman numerals and includes a dedicated wind indicator, paired with blued steel spade and poker hands. The complete assembly, which includes a winding key, box key, and fusee chain, measures 8 inches by 7.25 inches by 7.25 inches. The chronometer is identified by movement serial number 13348 and is described as being in clean and functional condition.

Boxed marine chronometer by Dobbie McInnes & Clyde Ltd., showing the internal gimbaled bowl and silvered dial within a mahogany case.
Boxed marine chronometer by Dobbie McInnes & Clyde Ltd., showing the internal gimbaled bowl and silvered dial within a mahogany case. — Auction house “Schmitt Horan & Co.”, via Invaluable. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Marine chronometer · Boxed marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
Dobbie McInnes & Clyde Ltd.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1920
Source-reported place
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
13348

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

Movement and Escapement

The chronometer is powered by an 11-jewel fusee movement. This mechanism incorporates Harrison's maintaining power, which provides continuous force to the gear train during winding. The escapement is of the Earnshaw type, configured to facilitate high-precision timekeeping required for maritime navigation.

The balance assembly features a cut bimetallic compensation balance, intended to offset temperature-induced rate fluctuations. The system is free-sprung and utilizes a helical balance spring, with a diamond end stone integrated into the pivot mounting to reduce friction. The movement is reported as functional.

Evidence for this section
  • “11-jewel fusee movement, incorporating Harrison's maintaining power and an Earnshaw's escapement.”
  • “free sprung and utilizes a cut bimetallic balance with a diamond end stone and a helical balance spring.”

Case and Dial

The instrument is housed within a lacquered brass bowl, which is mounted on gimbals to remain level despite the motion of a vessel. This housing is contained within a three-tier mahogany box adorned with brass furniture. The exterior dimensions of the assembly are 8 inches by 7.25 inches by 7.25 inches.

The silvered dial displays black Roman numerals and includes a secondary dial for the wind indicator. The time is indicated by blued steel hands in a spade and poker configuration. The overall construction is intended for maritime use.

Evidence for this section
  • “housed within a gimbaled, lacquered brass bowl that rests in a three-tier mahogany box fitted with brass furniture.”
  • “The silvered dial features black Roman numerals, a dedicated wind indicator, and blued steel spade and poker hands.”

Documentation and Provenance

The object is identified by the movement serial number 13348. The provenance and historical context are attributed to the era of celestial navigation in the early 20th century. The listing is derived from an auction-house record, which provides the technical specifications and inclusion of accessory items such as the box key, winding key, and fusee chain.

The record notes that while evidence supports the classification as a two-day marine chronometer, the status remains partial. Other examples of this type may differ in specific construction or serial sequences.

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement, identified by serial number 13348”
  • “The chronometer represents the high standard of precision timekeeping instruments required for celestial navigation during the early 20th century.”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the discrepancy between the movement serial number 13348 and the 9882 serial marked on the box plaque?
  • To what extent did the transition from Dobbie McInnes to the merged Dobbie McInnes & Clyde Ltd. affect the standardization of chronometer production in the 1920s?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Dobbie McInnes & Clyde Ltd. two-day marine chronometer
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerDobbie McInnes & Clyde Ltd.“Dobbie McInnes & Clyde Ltd.”
Movement serial13348“The movement, identified by serial number 13348”
Datecirca 1920“circa 1920”
Materialsmahogany, brass, steel, silvered dial“mahogany, brass, steel, silvered dial”
Movement features11-jewel fusee movement, Harrison's maintaining power, free sprung, cut bimetallic balance, diamond end stone, helical balance spring“11-jewel fusee movement, incorporating Harrison's maintaining power and an Earnshaw's escapement. Designed for maritime precision, it is free sprung and utilizes a cut bimetallic balance with a diamond end stone and a helical balance spring.”

Visible details

  • Silvered dial with Roman numerals
  • Gimbaled lacquered brass bowl
  • Dedicated wind indicator on dial
  • Three-tier mahogany box

Research qualifications

  • Classification status reported as partial or uncertain by the source
  • Serial number 13348 provided by the text, though the photo shows a plaque marked 9882

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

Consulted source

Dobbie McInnes & Clyde Ltd. two-day boxed marine chronometer

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record e1b2c1f288

Terms in this record

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

Other boxed marine chronometer records