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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Eight-day marine chronometer

Victorian Eight-Day Marine Chronometer, John Morton & Co., Glasgow, No. 230

Partially verified

This 19th-century Victorian marine chronometer by John Morton & Co. of Glasgow features an eight-day movement set within a brass-bound mahogany case. The instrument has a 4 1/2-inch silvered dial displaying Roman hour numerals, blued steel hands, a subsidiary seconds dial, and an upper wind days remaining dial. The dial is signed 'John Morton & Co., Glasgow' and inscribed 'No. 230'. Housed in a brass gimbal mount, the square wooden case includes an ivory plaque and is accompanied by a winding key.

Top-down view of the silvered dial and gimbal mount inside the mahogany casing
Top-down view of the silvered dial and gimbal mount inside the mahogany casing — Lyon & Turnbull. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.lyonandturnbull.com
Category
Marine chronometer · Eight-day marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
John Morton & Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
230
Source-reported date
19th century
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
230

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 Identification and Provenance

This 19th-century marine chronometer is identified by the serial number 230 and is signed by the makers John Morton & Co., with an address listed as 87 Bothwell St., Glasgow.

The item was listed for auction in February 2024. It is documented as being sold in compliance with UK Government and APHA regulations, accompanied by a non-transferable exemption registration reference.

Evidence for this section
  • “VICTORIAN EIGHT-DAY MARINE CHRONOMETER, JOHN MORTON & CO, GLASGOW, NO.230 19TH CENTURY”
  • “signed 'John Morton & Co., 87 Bothwell St., Glasgow, No. 230'”
  • “Sold in compliance with UK Government and APHA regulations, with (non-transferable) exemption registration reference HYLXB7P6”

Dial and Visual Features

The instrument features a 4 1/2-inch silvered dial. The display is configured with a subsidiary seconds dial and a wind days remaining indicator.

The dial layout incorporates Roman numerals and blued steel hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “with a 4 ½ inch silvered dial with subsidiary seconds and wind days remaining dials”
  • “Silvered dial with Roman numerals and blued steel hands”

Construction and Dimensions

The chronometer is housed in a mahogany and brass-bound case. The dimensions of the case are recorded as 21cm square and 23cm high.

The assembly includes an ivory plaque and is provided with a winding key.

Evidence for this section
  • “in a mahogany and brass bound case mounted with ivory plaque, with winding key”
  • “case 21cm square, 23cm high”

Open research questions

  • What are the specific materials and condition of the brass-bound casing exterior?
  • Does the serial number 230 appear on components other than the dial?
  • Are there records detailing the specific production timeline of John Morton & Co. at the 87 Bothwell Street address?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Victorian Eight-Day Marine Chronometer, John Morton & Co., Glasgow, No. 230
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and LocationJohn Morton & Co., Glasgow“signed 'John Morton & Co., 87 Bothwell St., Glasgow, No. 230'”
Dial Size and Indications4 1/2 inch silvered dial with subsidiary seconds and wind days remaining“with a 4 ½ inch silvered dial with subsidiary seconds and wind days remaining dials”
Case MaterialsMahogany and brass bound case with ivory plaque“in a mahogany and brass bound case mounted with ivory plaque, with winding key”
Dimensions21cm square, 23cm high“case 21cm square, 23cm high”
Regulatory StatusContains materials subject to CITES import/export restrictions“Please be aware that this lot contains material which may be subject to import/export restrictions, especially outside the EU, due to CITES regulations.”

Visible details

  • Silvered dial with Roman numerals and blued steel hands
  • Upper state-of-wind indicator graduated for days remaining and lower subsidiary seconds dial marked No. 230
  • Gimballed brass bowl with locking arm inside a mahogany box
  • Corner compartment in the upper-right interior housing a winding key

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement caliber, escapement details, and exterior case sides are not shown in the single photograph.
  • Ivory plaque mentioned in source description is not visible in this top-down dial view.

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

Consulted source

VICTORIAN EIGHT-DAY MARINE CHRONOMETER, JOHN MORTON & CO, GLASGOW, NO.230 19TH CENTURY | 21 February 2024

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record dc19be969f

Terms in this record

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

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