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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer

Joseph Sewill two-day marine chronometer

Partially verified

A 19th-century two-day marine chronometer by Joseph Sewill of Liverpool, bearing serial number 5716 engraved within the subsidiary seconds dial. According to the auction catalogue, the instrument is housed in a three-tier oak case with brass fittings and an exterior bone plaque reading 'Supplied by N.V Observer'. The silvered dial features Roman hour numerals, an outer minute ring, a power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock, and prize medal award emblems dated 1862 and 1867. The dial also records the maker's address at 61 South Castle Street and denotes 'Maker to the Admiralty'.

Dial view of Joseph Sewill marine chronometer no. 5716 showing subsidiary seconds and power reserve indicator
Dial view of Joseph Sewill marine chronometer no. 5716 showing subsidiary seconds and power reserve indicator — Auctioneum Ltd - East Bristol & Bath. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.the-saleroom.com
Category
Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
Joseph Sewill
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
6
Source-reported date
19th Century
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
5716

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 Inscriptions and Layout

The instrument features a silvered dial configured with Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial, and an upper subsidiary power reserve indicator. The dial explicitly identifies the maker and location, being signed 'JOSEPH SEWILL, LIVERPOOL' and flanked by '61 So Castle St' and 'Maker to the Admiralty'.

Within the subsidiary seconds dial, 'The number 5716 is prominently engraved within the subsidiary seconds dial.' In addition, 'Two red and gold circular prize medal award emblems dated 1862 and 1867 flank the 12 o'clock power reserve dial.'

Evidence for this section
  • “The dial is signed 'JOSEPH SEWILL, LIVERPOOL' and flanked by '61 So Castle St' and 'Maker to the Admiralty'.”
  • “The number 5716 is prominently engraved within the subsidiary seconds dial.”
  • “Two red and gold circular prize medal award emblems dated 1862 and 1867 flank the 12 o'clock power reserve dial.”

Housing and Mounting

As recorded in the visible observations, 'The instrument is mounted in a brass gimbal ring inside a wooden box.' This arrangement preserves the horizontal orientation typical of maritime navigational timepieces.

The auction description states that the instrument is 'housed in a 3 tier oak case with brass fittings and an exterior bone plaque 'Supplied by N.V Observer''. While the brass gimbal ring is visible around the bowl, the exterior panels and the bone plaque are not depicted in the primary dial photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “The instrument is mounted in a brass gimbal ring inside a wooden box.”
  • “housed in a 3 tier oak case with brass fittings and an exterior bone plaque 'Supplied by N.V Observer'”

Mechanical Movement and Operational Claims

The auction catalogue classifies the lot as a 'two-day marine chronometer' and claims it is 'In working order with the original chronometer 'tipsy' key.'

Because internal movement plates and mechanical escapement parts are not displayed uncased in the provided record, the stated working order and key originality remain unverified source reports rather than established facts.

Evidence for this section
  • “two-day marine chronometer”
  • “In working order with the original chronometer 'tipsy' key.”

Open research questions

  • What entity, shipping line, or vessel is designated by the plaque inscription 'Supplied by N.V Observer'?
  • Does the uncased movement bear matching serial number 5716 and traditional spring detent escapement components?
  • Do historical records for Joseph Sewill's Liverpool workshops detail the date of manufacture or Admiralty trials for serial number 5716?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Joseph Sewill two-day marine chronometer
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJoseph Sewill (Liverpool)“Joseph Sewill (Liverpool)”
Housing3 tier oak case with brass fittings“housed in a 3 tier oak case with brass fittings”
Exterior PlaqueBone plaque reading 'Supplied by N.V Observer'“exterior bone plaque 'Supplied by N.V Observer'”
Dial FeaturesSilvered dial with Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, and power reserve indicator“silvered dial with Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds dial, and power reserve indicator”
AwardsPrize medal awards (1862 and 1867)“Engraved with prize medal awards (1862 and 1867)”
KeyOriginal chronometer 'tipsy' key“original chronometer 'tipsy' key”
Operational StatusReported to be in working order with an original tipsy key“In working order with the original chronometer 'tipsy' key.”

Visible details

  • The number 5716 is prominently engraved within the subsidiary seconds dial.
  • The dial is signed 'JOSEPH SEWILL, LIVERPOOL' and flanked by '61 So Castle St' and 'Maker to the Admiralty'.
  • Two red and gold circular prize medal award emblems dated 1862 and 1867 flank the 12 o'clock power reserve dial.
  • The instrument is mounted in a brass gimbal ring inside a wooden box.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement is not visible uncased.
  • Stated working order and presence of original tipsy key are source-reported and not visible in the primary photograph.

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

Consulted source

A 19th Century Joseph Sewill (Liverpool) two-day marine chronometer housed in a 3 tier oak case w

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 89374bb69e

Terms in this record

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

Other two-day marine chronometer records