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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Marine chronometer

GUB Ship's Chronometer

Partially verified

This GUB ship's chronometer, produced in the GDR around 1963, features a brass movement with a steel band and fusee, calibre 100. It utilizes an Earnshaw chronometer escapement and a Grießbach-balance equipped with a cylindric hairspring. The timepiece is housed in a two-piece, facetted-glazed mahogany box with side carrying handles. A cardanic suspended brass case is fixed over the bezel. The silvered dial displays Roman numerals and includes a 56-hour power reserve indicator positioned at 12 o'clock, complemented by a large eccentric seconds sub-dial at 6 o'clock. The instrument is accompanied by its original transport box and a watch rate certificate. The overall condition is reported as level 2.

The GUB marine chronometer in its mahogany transport box, with the included certificate visible.
The GUB marine chronometer in its mahogany transport box, with the included certificate visible. — Henry's Auktionshaus (via Invaluable). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Marine chronometer · Marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
GUB (Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe)
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
3725
Source-reported date
circa 1963
Source-reported place
GDR
Source-reported serial
7850

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

Case and Presentation

The chronometer is enclosed within a two-piece, facetted-glazed mahogany transport box, designed with handles on the sides for portability. This arrangement protects the inner mechanism while allowing visibility of the dial through the glass top. The exterior of the box features a prominent metal warning plaque, which serves as a cautionary label regarding the careful transport of the precision instrument, including warnings against sharp turns or hard impacts.

Internally, the timepiece is secured within a brass casing that is suspended in a cardanic mounting, which is fastened over the bezel. This specialized housing is intended to maintain the chronometer in a level position during maritime use, mitigating the effects of ship movement on timekeeping precision.

Evidence for this section
  • “two piece construction facett-glazed mahogany box, at the sides carrying handles”
  • “cardanic suspended brass-case by bezel screwed down”

Movement and Mechanics

The internal mechanism is a brass movement featuring a steel band and fusee construction, identified as calibre 100. Its regulation is managed through an Earnshaw chronometer escapement paired with a Grießbach-balance, which features a cylindric hairspring.

The timekeeping interface is a silvered dial featuring Roman numerals. Functional indicators include a 56-hour power reserve display located at the 12 o'clock position and a large eccentric seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “brass movement with steel band and fusee calibre 100”
  • “Earnshaw chronometer-escapement, Grießbach-balance with cylindric hairspring”
  • “56- hour power reserve indicator at 12, big excentric second at 6”

Provenance and Documentation

The instrument is catalogued with the serial number 7850, as indicated on the manufacturer's plaque affixed to the mahogany box. The set is accompanied by its original transport box and a watch rate certificate, providing a documented history of its production and testing.

The attribution of the object to the GDR around 1963 is confirmed by the maker's mark for Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe.

Evidence for this section
  • “GUB ship's chronometer with original transport box and watch rate certificate, GDR around 1963”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific history of the Grießbach-balance in the context of GDR-era maritime chronometers?
  • Are there archival records available to verify the original ship or maritime institution to which unit 7850 was assigned?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for GUB Ship's Chronometer
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Datearound 1963“around 1963”
Calibre100“calibre 100”
EscapementEarnshaw chronometer-escapement“Earnshaw chronometer-escapement”
BalanceGrießbach-balance“Grießbach-balance”
Box Dimensionsapprox. 24 x 24 x 23 cm“measures transport box approx. 24 x 24 x 23 cm”
Condition2“condition 2”

Visible details

  • The wooden box features a brass plaque labeled 'Präzisionsinstrument' with transport instructions
  • The interior of the instrument is visible through the top glazed panel of the box
  • A certificate is included with the chronometer
  • The box includes a metal tag bearing the maker's name and the serial number 7850

Research qualifications

  • The auction description recommends an overhaul at the buyer's expense
  • The extent of the patina on the dial is not fully detailed beyond a descriptive mention

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

Consulted source

GUB ship's chronometer with original transport box

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 546a852c7c

Terms in this record

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

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