Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer

Rosewood Cased Marine Chronometer No. 1636 by John Poole

Partially verified

This mid-19th-century marine chronometer is source-attributed to John Poole of London, numbered 1636. The silvered brass dial displays Roman numerals along with subsidiary dials for state of wind (up/down) and running seconds, inscribed 'John Poole / Maker To The Admiralty, / London No. 1636'. The chronometer movement is mounted within a brass gimbal ring housed in a brass-bound rosewood case. The exterior features a brass drop handle, an escutcheon, and an ivory plaque on the upper lid inscribed 'John Poole / 1 Upper East Smithfield / and Commercial Road'.

Oblique view of the open rosewood marine chronometer box showing the gimballed dial signed by John Poole
Oblique view of the open rosewood marine chronometer box showing the gimballed dial signed by John Poole — Lyon & Turnbull. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.lyonandturnbull.com
Category
Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
John Poole
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
160
Source-reported date
mid 19th century
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
1636

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

Object Identity and Inscriptions

This marine chronometer is identified as No. 1636 and attributed to John Poole. The silvered brass dial is inscribed to denote the maker's association with the Admiralty.

An ivory plaque on the object is inscribed with the name John Poole and the addresses 1 Upper East Smithfield and Commercial Road.

Evidence for this section
  • “inscribed 'John Poole / Maker To The Admiralty, / London No. 1636'”
  • “bearing a ivory plaque inscribed 'John Poole / 1 Upper East Smithfield / and Commercial Road'”

Construction and Dimensions

The instrument is housed in a brass-bound rosewood case. The overall dimensions of the case are 17cm wide, 18.5cm high, and 17cm deep.

The dial features a diameter of 11.5cm. The construction incorporates subsidiary dials for up/down indication and seconds.

Evidence for this section
  • “the case with brass bound corners”
  • “dial 11.5cm diameter; case 17cm wide, 18.5cm high, 17cm deep”
  • “the silvered brass dial with Roman numeral chapter and subsidiary up/down and seconds dials”

Documentation and Historical Context

The object is described in the source as a mid-19th-century marine chronometer. Technical details regarding the movement or escapement are not provided in the source text.

Specific chronological dating beyond the mid-19th-century estimate is not provided in the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “ROSEWOOD CASED MARINE CHRONOMETER NO. 1636 BY JOHN POOLE, LONDON MID 19TH CENTURY”

Open research questions

  • What is the full technical specification of the movement?
  • Can the specific addresses on the ivory plaque be used to create a narrower date range for production?
  • Are there extant Admiralty records that correlate to chronometer No. 1636?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rosewood Cased Marine Chronometer No. 1636 by John Poole
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJohn Poole“ROSEWOOD CASED MARINE CHRONOMETER NO. 1636 BY JOHN POOLE, LONDON”
Serial Number1636“London No. 1636”
Dial InscriptionJohn Poole / Maker To The Admiralty, / London No. 1636“inscribed 'John Poole / Maker To The Admiralty, / London No. 1636'”
Plaque InscriptionJohn Poole / 1 Upper East Smithfield / and Commercial Road“bearing a ivory plaque inscribed 'John Poole / 1 Upper East Smithfield / and Commercial Road'”
Dial Diameter11.5 cm“dial 11.5cm diameter”
Case Dimensions17 cm wide, 18.5 cm high, 17 cm deep“case 17cm wide, 18.5cm high, 17cm deep”
MakerJohn Poole“ROSEWOOD CASED MARINE CHRONOMETER NO. 1636 BY JOHN POOLE”
Serial Number1636“London No. 1636”

Visible details

  • Silvered dial with Roman numeral chapter ring and subsidiary dials for state of wind and seconds
  • Dial inscribed 'John Poole / Maker To The Admiralty, / London No. 1636'
  • Movement suspended in a brass gimbal mount with locking mechanism inside a brass-bound rosewood case
  • Upper viewing lid is glazed and hinged open
  • Brass side drop-handle and starburst-style keyhole escutcheon on the front
  • Ivory plaque mounted on the top edge of the lid

Research qualifications

  • Movement caliber and escapement components are not documented in the source text or visible in the photograph
  • Running duration is not stated in the source text, though the up/down subsidiary register is scaled up to 54 hours
  • Contains antique ivory subject to trade regulations

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

Consulted source

ROSEWOOD CASED MARINE CHRONOMETER NO. 1636 BY JOHN POOLE, LONDON MID 19TH CENTURY | 14 January 2015

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 3c6bc9b13c

Terms in this record

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

Other two-day marine chronometer records