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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer

Wempe Chronometerwerke Hamburg Type 5 Two-Day Marine Chronometer No. 5077

Partially verified

This two-day marine chronometer was manufactured by Wempe in Hamburg, identified by the dealer as a Chronometerwerke Hamburg Type 5 model bearing serial number 5077. It is mounted in a gimbaled bowl within a square oak box featuring a glazed upper lid and brass fittings. The four-inch white dial features Arabic hour numerals, an upper 56-hour state-of-wind register, and a subsidiary seconds dial. According to the dealer description, the movement is free-sprung with a blued steel helical hairspring, a cut and compensated bimetallic balance, maintaining power, and a jewelled lever escapement. A case label records previous service aboard the Greek vessel 'Delicat'.

Wempe Chronometerwerke Hamburg Type 5 marine chronometer no. 5077 in an oak box with gimbaled bowl
Wempe Chronometerwerke Hamburg Type 5 marine chronometer no. 5077 in an oak box with gimbaled bowl — Chalfont Clocks / Sellingantiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sellingantiques.co.uk
Category
Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
Wempe
Reference
Type 5
Catalogue / lot identifier
SA896978
Source-reported date
1940 - 1960
Country
Germany
Source-reported serial
5077

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 Construction

This two-day marine chronometer is catalogued as a Type 5 model produced by Wempe Chronometerwerke in Hamburg, bearing the serial number 5077. It is housed in a square oak box featuring brass fittings and a hinged glazed upper lid.

The movement is contained within a gimbaled bowl assembly. The overall dimensions of the case are 18.5 cm in height, width, and depth.

Evidence for this section
  • “A Chronometerwerke Hamburg type 5 two day marine chronometer by Wempe numbered 5077.”
  • “Height 18.5cm (7.28") Width 18.5cm (7.28") Depth 18.5cm (7.28")”

Dial and Mechanism

The four-inch white dial features Arabic numerals and is signed 'CHRONOMETERWERKE HAMBURG' and 'WEMPE'. It includes a subsidiary seconds dial, with the serial number 5077 marked within that sub-dial, and an upper 56-hour state-of-wind register.

According to the provided description, the movement is a free-sprung spotted type. It includes a blued steel helical hairspring, a cut and compensated bimetallic balance, a going barrel with maintaining power, and a jewelled lever escapement.

Evidence for this section
  • “signed four inch arabic dial with a 56 hour counter over a subsidiary seconds dial”
  • “The free-sprung spotted movement with blued steel helical hairspring to a cut and compensated bimetallic balance and jewelled lever escapement”

Provenance and Documentation

A label inside the case records that the chronometer was previously in use aboard a Greek vessel named the 'Delicat'.

The dealer dates the manufacture of this unit to the 1950s. The source notes that the item was presented unserviced and in its original condition.

Evidence for this section
  • “having last been used on a Greek boat the ‘Delicat’ as recorded in the label inside the case.”
  • “Chalfont Clocks has dated this Wempe Marine Chronometer to the 1950s.”

Open research questions

  • Are there records for the vessel 'Delicat' that verify its operational history?
  • Can the Type 5 designation be confirmed via independent factory production logs for Wempe Chronometerwerke?
  • What are the specific technical distinctions of a Wempe Type 5 model compared to other marine chronometer configurations from the mid-20th century?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Wempe Chronometerwerke Hamburg Type 5 Two-Day Marine Chronometer No. 5077
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
ModelChronometerwerke Hamburg Type 5 two-day marine chronometer“A Chronometerwerke Hamburg type 5 two day marine chronometer by Wempe numbered 5077.”
Serial number5077“numbered 5077.”
EscapementJewelled lever escapement“cut and compensated bimetallic balance and jewelled lever escapement”
Dial descriptionSigned four-inch Arabic dial with 56-hour counter and subsidiary seconds dial“signed four inch arabic dial with a 56 hour counter over a subsidiary seconds dial”
Dimensions18.5 cm x 18.5 cm x 18.5 cm“Height 18.5cm (7.28") Width 18.5cm (7.28") Depth 18.5cm (7.28")”
Vessel provenance noteGreek boat 'Delicat'“having last been used on a Greek boat the ‘Delicat’ as recorded in the label inside the case.”
Maker HistoryWempe acquired Hamburger Chronometerwerke GmbH in 1938.“In 1938 Wempe bought the Hamburger Chronometerwerke GmbH from shipbuilders based in Hamburg and Bremen.”

Visible details

  • Square oak transport box with a hinged glazed upper lid, brass clasp, and brass side fittings.
  • White dial with black Arabic numerals, an upper 56-hour counter, and a lower subsidiary seconds dial.
  • Dial is signed 'CHRONOMETERWERKE HAMBURG' and 'WEMPE', with serial number 5077 marked within the subsidiary seconds dial.
  • Movement is housed within a gimbaled bowl assembly.

Research qualifications

  • Technical details regarding the movement and escapement rely entirely on the dealer's description, as the movement interior is not exposed in this photograph.
  • Dating is source-reported: the dealer declares manufacture as the 1950s within a broader catalogue period of 1940–1960.

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

Consulted source

Sold: Marine Chronometer by Wempe 1940 - 1960 | Sellingantiques

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 0fae2a1902

Terms in this record

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

Other two-day marine chronometer records