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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Bulkhead timer chronometer

J. Auricoste French Navy onboard chronometer

Partially verified

This mechanical onboard chronometer by J. Auricoste was reportedly produced for French Navy naval torpedo operations and exercises during the 1960s. Housed in a circular metal case designed for bulkhead mounting, it features an off-white dial with a 0-to-60-second perimeter scale marked by Arabic numerals and an auxiliary 60-minute register positioned at 6 o'clock. The seller records an affixed rear plate bearing numbers 64-1387 and 67-1438, which the listing attributes to a 1964 case and a 1967 movement. The dial is inscribed 'J. AURICOSTE HGER DE LA MARINE DE L'ETAT'.

Dial and bulkhead casing of J. Auricoste shipboard timer
Dial and bulkhead casing of J. Auricoste shipboard timer — French Antiques Normandy. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.proantic.com
Category
Clock · Bulkhead timer chronometer
Maker / attribution
J. Auricoste
Reference
MER26AUR001
Catalogue / lot identifier
1823062
Source-reported date
1960s
Country
France
Source-reported serial
64-1387 / 67-1438

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

Construction and Mounting

The J. Auricoste onboard chronometer features a metal case described as stainless steel. It is designed for bulkhead integration or mounting, incorporating a circular flange with holes along the perimeter.

External features include a top plunger, a small upper-left tab, and a bottom lever control accompanied by a curved arrow directional indicator. The unit measures approximately 20 cm in outer diameter and 7.1 cm in thickness.

Evidence for this section
  • “An imposing precision instrument made of stainless steel”
  • “It is designed to be recessed into the ship’s bulkhead at the command post or simply hung on a bulkhead”
  • “Circular metal mounting flange with drilled perimeter holes for bulkhead fixing”
  • “Outer diameter: approximately 20 cm”
  • “Thickness: approximately 7.1 cm”

Dial and Timing Interface

The dial, approximately 15 cm in diameter, features an off-white color and is inscribed 'J. AURICOSTE' along with 'HGER DE LA MARINE DE L'ETAT'. The main display includes a perimeter scale graduated from 0 to 60 seconds with five-unit Arabic numerals and a central seconds hand.

A subsidiary 60-minute register is located at the 6 o'clock position. The source notes that while the mechanism functions, the main hand requires a zeroing readjustment of approximately one-tenth of a second.

Evidence for this section
  • “large cream-colored dial graduated from 0 to 60 seconds and a small minute counter at 6:00”
  • “The dial is signed J. AURICOSTE STATE NAVY CLOCKMAKER”
  • “Dial diameter: approximately 15 cm”
  • “the hand will need to be very slightly readjusted to zero, as it is currently off by about one-tenth of a second”

Identification and Records

A plate on the back of the instrument is marked with the numbers '64-1387' and '67-1438'. The listing attributes these to a 1964 case and a 1967 movement, respectively. Internal movement engravings are reported to read 'J. AURICOSTE 10, rue La Boétie – Paris B'.

Specific service history, including usage for torpedo operations or particular vessels, is provided as seller attribution.

Evidence for this section
  • “A small plate attached to the back bears the numbers: 64-1387 and 67-1438”
  • “The presence of these two serial numbers indicates a case from 1964 and a movement from 1967”
  • “The mechanical movement is also engraved: J. AURICOSTE 10, rue La Boétie – Paris B”

Open research questions

  • Does the 64/67 serial prefix system correlate to standardized J. Auricoste production codes?
  • Are there archival French Navy records confirming this specific model's procurement or deployment?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for J. Auricoste French Navy onboard chronometer
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Dial signatureJ. AURICOSTE STATE NAVY CLOCKMAKER“The dial is signed J. AURICOSTE STATE NAVY CLOCKMAKER”
Movement engravingJ. AURICOSTE 10, rue La Boétie – Paris B“The mechanical movement is also engraved: J. AURICOSTE 10, rue La Boétie – Paris B”
Serial plate markings64-1387 and 67-1438“A small plate attached to the back bears the numbers: 64-1387 and 67-1438”
Outer diameterapproximately 20 cm“Outer diameter: approximately 20 cm”
Dial diameterapproximately 15 cm“Dial diameter: approximately 15 cm”
Thicknessapproximately 7.1 cm“Thickness: approximately 7.1 cm”
MakerJ. Auricoste“Rare J. AURICOSTE mechanical shipboard chronometer”
MaterialStainless steel“An imposing precision instrument made of stainless steel”

Visible details

  • Circular metal mounting flange with drilled perimeter holes for bulkhead fixing
  • Central seconds hand terminating at a perimeter 0-to-60 scale with five-unit Arabic markings
  • Subsidiary dial situated at 6 o'clock calibrated up to 60 minutes
  • External top plunger, small upper-left tab, and bottom lever control with curved arrow directional indicator
  • Dial marked 'J. AURICOSTE' and 'HGER DE LA MARINE DE L'ETAT' below the central arbor

Research qualifications

  • Source notes the main hand requires minor zero readjustment of approximately one-tenth of a second
  • Specific submarine and torpedo-boat operational use represents seller attribution rather than proven individual service history
  • Movement and rear numbered plate are described in source text but not visible in this dial photograph

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

Consulted source

Proantic: Navy - J. Auricoste Onboard Chronometer Torpedo Attack Fre

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 4bd6bebfed

Terms in this record

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