Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer

Victorian rosewood cased two-day marine chronometer by Robert Walshaw

Partially verified

According to the auction catalogue, this Victorian two-day marine chronometer was made by Robert Walshaw of Liverpool circa 1870. It features a 3.75-inch circular silvered dial with Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, an up/down state-of-wind dial at 12 o'clock, and signature 'Rob't Walshaw, Liverpool, No. 22/670'. The movement is described as a four-pillar single-chain fusee mechanism with Harrison's maintaining power, jewelled escape and seconds pivots, an Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement, and a split bimetallic balance with cylindrical weights and a helical spring. The brass bowl is gimbal-mounted in a three-tier rosewood box bearing a John Parkes & Sons paper label.

Top-down view of the silvered dial and gimballed brass bowl in the open rosewood transit case — Dreweatts. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: auctions.dreweatts.com
Category: Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer
Maker / attribution: Robert Walshaw
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 144
Source-reported date: circa 1870
Source-reported place: United Kingdom
Source-reported serial: 22/670

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 Housing

The chronometer is housed in a brass-reinforced, three-tier rosewood box. The case features a glazed top to the middle tier, inset strap-reinforced angles, and hinged brass carrying handles on the sides.

The instrument includes an inset vacant ivory disc on the front. A paper label is applied to the inside of the top tier, identifying the retailer as John Parkes & Sons, listing addresses in Liverpool, Cardiff, and Barry Dock.

Evidence for this section

“brass reinforced rosewood three tier box with glazed top to middle tier”
“inset vacant ivory disc to the front”
“inside of the top tier applied with paper label JOHN PARKES & SONS, Chronometer Makers to the Admiralty... 43 & 44, CANNING PLACE, LIVERPOOL; 47, JAMES STREET, CARDIFF; and BARRY DOCK”

Dial and Signature

The 3.75-inch circular silvered dial features Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. An 'up/down' state-of-wind indicator is located at 12 o'clock, annotated 'DOWN/UP'.

The dial is signed 'Rob't Walshaw, Liverpool, No. 22/670' across the center. The dial is secured by a screw-down bezel into a lacquered brass bowl.

Evidence for this section

“3.75 inch circular silvered Roman numeral dial”
“subsidiary seconds dial at six o'clock”
“state of WIND dial annotated DOWN/UP at twelve o'clock”
“Rob't Walshaw, Liverpool, No. 22/670 across the centre”

Mechanism Specification

The movement is a four-pillar, single-chain fusee type with Harrison's maintaining power. It features jewelled pivots for the escape and seconds wheels.

Regulation is provided by an Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement with a split bimetallic balance, cylindrical compensating weights, and a blued-steel helical balance spring. The movement includes a spotted backplate with a spring set-up ratchet.

Evidence for this section

“circular four pillar single chain fusee movement with Harrison`s maintaining power”
“jewelled pivots for the escape and seconds wheels”
“Earnshaw type spring detent escapement regulated by split bimetallic balance with cylindrical compensating weights and blued steel helical balance spring”
“the spotted backplate with spring set-up ratchet”

Open research questions

Does the serial number 22/670 correspond to known production records for Robert Walshaw?
What is the operational history of the retail firm John Parkes & Sons at the listed addresses?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Victorian rosewood cased two-day marine chronometer by Robert Walshaw
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker and origin	Robert Walshaw, Liverpool	“ROBERT WALSHAW, LIVERPOOL, CIRCA 1870”
Movement type	Single chain fusee with Earnshaw type spring detent escapement	“circular four pillar single chain fusee movement with Harrison`s maintaining power, jewelled pivots for the escape and seconds wheels, Earnshaw type spring detent escapement”
Dial signature and serial	Rob't Walshaw, Liverpool, No. 22/670	“Rob't Walshaw, Liverpool, No. 22/670 across the centre”
Box dimensions	19cm high, 18cm wide, 18cm deep	“The box 19cm (7.5ins) high, 18cm (7ins) wide, 18cm (7ins) deep.”
Retailer	John Parkes & Sons	“paper label JOHN PARKES & SONS, Chronometer Makers to the Admiralty”

Visible details

Silvered dial with Roman hour numerals and two subsidiary dials within a gimballed brass ring
Gimbal assembly mounted inside a wooden box with brass hardware and corner fittings
A paper maker/retailer label is partially affixed to the inside lid of the wooden case

Research qualifications

Source notes family lore claiming usage on the LAURA ANNE appears to post-date the vessel's voyages
Contains an inset ivory disc to the front subject to CITES controls

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