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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Boxed marine chronometer

Henri Grandjean Maritime Chronometer in Wooden Box

Partially verified

This nineteenth-century marine chronometer is signed Henri Grandjean and attributed by Setdart Auction House to England. Encased in a gimbaled brass bowl within a fitted dark wooden box, the instrument features a silvered dial with Roman numerals, an up/down state-of-wind indicator below XII, and a subsidiary seconds dial at VI. The auction catalog describes traditional construction with circular brass plates, fusee chain transmission, a chronometer escapement, and an open bimetallic balance wheel fitted with a cylindrical balance spring and regulation nuts. The dial is also inscribed with London and a serial number.

Oblique view of the Henri Grandjean marine chronometer in an open wooden box showing the dial and gimbal mounting
Oblique view of the Henri Grandjean marine chronometer in an open wooden box showing the dial and gimbal mounting — Setdart Auction House. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Marine chronometer · Boxed marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
Henri Grandjean
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
107
Source-reported date
19th century
Country
England

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

Dial Presentation and Inscriptions

The instrument displays a silvered dial with Roman hour numerals and blued steel hands. An up/down state-of-wind register is positioned beneath XII, and a subsidiary seconds dial is located at 6 o'clock. Engraved inscriptions on the dial read 'Henri Grandjean' and 'London', with an individual serial number positioned beneath the signature.

The auction catalog attributes the piece to England in the 19th century, while also noting in its biographical overview that Henri Grandjean & Cie was established in Le Locle, Switzerland, in 1824. Visual inspection confirms the presence of the maritime dial layout and inscriptions, though the specific numeric digits of the serial number are not clearly resolved in the catalog record.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silvered dial displays Roman hour numerals, blued steel hands, an up/down state-of-wind register beneath XII, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.”
  • “The dial is engraved 'Henri Grandjean', 'London', and an individual serial number beneath the signature.”
  • “Henri Grandjean maritime chronometer; England, 19th century.”
  • “Founded in Le Locle, Switzerland, in 1824, Grandjean Henri et Compagnie S.A. was a manufacturer specialising in pocket watches with large and small chimes and marine chronometers.”

Casing and Gimbal Mount

The brass chronometer bowl is suspended within a gimbal ring set into a dark-stained wooden box equipped with brass hinges and latch hardware. The inner side of the hinged wooden lid incorporates a glazed inspection pane centered with a mounting boss.

The catalog records the lot's overall measurements as 10.3 x 11 cm, listing the materials as carved wood and gilt metal.

Evidence for this section
  • “Brass bowl is mounted inside a gimbal ring within a dark-stained wooden box fitted with brass hinges and latch hardware.”
  • “The interior of the hinged wooden lid contains a glazed inspection pane with a central mounting boss.”
  • “Measurements: 10.3 x 11 cm.”
  • “Carved wood and gilt metal.”

Reported Movement and Physical Condition

Internal mechanical specifications derive entirely from Setdart Auction House's catalog text, as the movement itself is not directly visible. The listing describes traditional construction consisting of circular brass plates, a fusee chain transmission ('snail of force and transmission by chain'), and a chronometer escapement.

The regulator is cataloged as a standard open bimetallic balance wheel fitted with a cylindrical balance spring and thermal and running regulation nuts. The auctioneer explicitly notes that the lot is in need of restoration and exhibits damage and scratches on the inner case.

Evidence for this section
  • “It is a traditional type chronometer (circular brass plates, with snail of force and transmission by chain, it has a steering wheel mounted on plate and chronometer escapement).”
  • “It has a normal open bimetallic balance wheel with a cylindrical balance-spring and thermal and running (oscillating) regulation nuts.”
  • “In need of restoration. It has damages and scratches on the inner case.”

Open research questions

  • What specific numeric serial digits are engraved on the dial beneath the Henri Grandjean and London signatures?
  • Does direct physical examination of the concealed movement reveal Swiss or English ebauche hallmarks, clarifying the relationship between the Le Locle maker and the London dial inscription?
  • What mechanical defects or missing components necessitate the restoration reported by the auction house?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Henri Grandjean Maritime Chronometer in Wooden Box
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Dimensions10.3 x 11 cm“Measurements: 10.3 x 11 cm.”
MaterialsCarved wood and gilt metal“Carved wood and gilt metal.”
Reported ConditionRequires restoration, with damage and scratches on the inner case“Requires restoration. It has damage and has scratches on the inner box.”
Reported Escapement and BalanceOpen bimetallic balance wheel with cylindrical balance-spring and regulation nuts“It has a normal open bimetallic balance wheel with a cylindrical balance-spring and thermal and running (oscillating) regulation nuts.”
Reported TransmissionCircular brass plates with fusee chain transmission“circular brass plates, with snail of force and transmission by chain”
Lot Number107“Lot 107 : Maritime Chronometer Henri Grandjean; England, 19th century.”

Visible details

  • Silvered dial displays Roman hour numerals, blued steel hands, an up/down state-of-wind register beneath XII, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.
  • The dial is engraved 'Henri Grandjean', 'London', and an individual serial number beneath the signature.
  • Brass bowl is mounted inside a gimbal ring within a dark-stained wooden box fitted with brass hinges and latch hardware.
  • The interior of the hinged wooden lid contains a glazed inspection pane with a central mounting boss.

Research qualifications

  • Internal mechanism details—such as the chronometer escapement, bimetallic balance, and fusee chain transmission—are reported by the auction house and not visible in the provided image.
  • The auction house states the piece requires restoration and exhibits damage and scratches on the inner case.
  • While the maker Henri Grandjean was established in Le Locle, Switzerland, the auction listing attributes origin to England, matching the dial inscription 'London'.

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: Maritime Chronometer Henri Grandjean; England, 19th century. Carved wood and gilt metal. Requires restoration. It has damage and has scratches on the inner box.

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 1339dee50d

Terms in this record

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

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