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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Table chronometer

Thomas Mercer Brittanica Table Chronometer

Partially verified

The Thomas Mercer Brittanica is an octagonal table chronometer created as a unique piece in collaboration with British furniture designer Jake Phipps for the Only Watch 2015 auction. The case, base, and dial bezel are fashioned from AISI 316 stainless steel combined with white leather and extra-white crystals. Powered by the hand-wound calibre TM0802 with a spring drive and steel chain fusee system, it provides an 8-day power reserve and incorporates a spring detent escapement with an ovalising balance oscillator visible through an upper aperture. The blue central dial displays a celestial map representing Geneva's night sky on 7 November 2015 at 5 PM, complemented by a small seconds register at 12 and a power reserve indicator at 6.

Front view of the Thomas Mercer Brittanica table chronometer
Front view of the Thomas Mercer Brittanica table chronometer — Phillips. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.phillips.com
Category
Clock · Table chronometer
Maker / attribution
Thomas Mercer
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
28
Source-reported date
2015
Country
Not established

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 Design

The Thomas Mercer Brittanica is an octagonal table chronometer designed in collaboration with furniture designer Jake Phipps. The housing, base, and dial bezel are constructed from AISI 316 stainless steel, incorporating fine white leather and extra-white crystals.

The dial displays a celestial map representing the night sky over Geneva as it appeared on November 7, 2015, at 5 PM. The face is set with a dark chapter ring featuring silver-tone Roman numerals, with a sub-seconds register at 12 and a power reserve indicator at 6.

Evidence for this section
  • “octagonal shaped table chronometer designed in collaboration with Jake Phipps”
  • “Made in Aisi 316 stainless steel with fine white leather and extra-white crystals”
  • “displays a dial with a celestial map from Geneva’s point of view on the 7th of November 2015 at 5pm”
  • “Hour, minute, small second at 12 and power reserve indicator at 6”

Movement and Mechanism

The timepiece is powered by the hand-wound Calibre TM0802. The movement comprises 17 jewels, a 2Hz (14,400 vph) frequency, and utilizes a mechanical spring drive with a fusee and steel chain system to provide an 8-day power reserve.

The mechanism features a spring detent escapement and an ovalising balance oscillator with cylindrical weights. The finish includes rhodium-plated and ruthenium components with blued steel screws, and the movement incorporates a skeletonised back plate.

Evidence for this section
  • “Calibre TM0802, hand wound, mechanical spring drive with fusee and steel chain system, 17 jewels, 8 days power reserve, frequency 2Hz (14.400 vph)”
  • “spring detent escapement, ovalising balance oscillator with cylindrical weights”
  • “rhodium plated and ruthenium finish with screws in blued steel, skeletonised back plate”

Documentation and Scope

The source describes this specific unit as the first piece of the Brittanica model produced for the 2015 Only Watch charity auction. The lot is reported to include a presentation box and a certificate of authenticity.

Visual observation is limited to the front-facing perspective shown in the source imagery. Features such as the skeletonised back plate, the presentation box, and the accompanying certificate are noted in the text but are not visible in the provided photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “donating the very first unit of the Brittanica”
  • “Complete with presentation box and certificate.”
  • “skeletonised back plate”

Open research questions

  • What specific materials constitute the 'extra-white crystals' mentioned in the source?
  • Does the inclusion of the skeletonised back plate affect the physical accessibility of the movement for manual winding?
  • Are there additional photographs available that show the rear movement or the contents of the presentation box?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Thomas Mercer Brittanica Table Chronometer
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Model NameBrittanica“Model Name Brittanica”
CalibreCalibre TM0802“Calibre Calibre TM0802, hand wound, mechanical spring drive with fusee and steel chain system”
Designer CollaborationJake Phipps“designed in collaboration with Jake Phipps”
MaterialsAISI 316 stainless steel with fine white leather and extra-white crystals“Made in Aisi 316 stainless steel with fine white leather and extra-white crystals”
EscapementSpring detent escapement“spring detent escapement, ovalising balance oscillator with cylindrical weights”
Power Reserve8 days“8 days power reserve”
Dimensions183(h) x 150(w) x 90(d) mm“Dimensions: 183(h) x 150(w) x 90(d) mm”
Escapement VisibilityVisible through an aperture on the dial“via an aperture of which the brand’s signature spring detent escapement is visible”

Visible details

  • Faceted octagonal main body and base composed of polished stainless steel and white leather panels
  • Central circular celestial map in blue depicting named constellations and star charts
  • Octagonal black chapter ring with prominent applied or printed silver-toned Roman numerals
  • Integrated subdial at 12 for small seconds and subdial at 6 for power reserve indication
  • Prominent glazed aperture at the top of the dial bezel revealing the balance and escapement mechanism

Research qualifications

  • Source reports movement components, skeletonised back plate, presentation box, and certificate, which are not depicted in the single front photograph

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

Consulted source

Thomas Mercer Only Watch

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record ec2d8f9ddc

Terms in this record

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