A rare late 18th Century chronometer by Margetts of eight day duration. Full plate keywind fusee movement, heavy chain, the deep mainspring barrel under a bridge. Harrison's maintaining power, large intermediate power wheel. Plain cock with diamond endstone, adjustable stud for the freesprung helical hairspring. Light two arm compensation balance with Margetts' tangential timing screws.Earnshaw type spring detent chronometer escapement, the escape wheel of unusually light construction. Fine signed white enamel dial with subsidiary seconds, Roman and Arabic numerals, gold hands. Substantial plain brass consular case, the movement secured by the hinge pin and a screw, maker's mark "WH".

Signed _ _______ Margetts London Eight Days Timekeeper 204 Circa 1798
Diameter 81 mm - Dial 71 mm - Depth 30 mm
Condition
Case _ _______ Very good.
Dial _ _______ Very good, hairline cracks.
Movement _ _ Excellent but not recently cleaned.


A piece of historic significance being one of the earliest known eight day chronometers. It is essentially a Marine chronometer in an oversized pocket watch case somewhat reminiscent of Harrison's No. 4 and its copies. It is unclear how the chronometer would have been kept on board ship but most probably in a cushioned box without the benefit of gimbals. A plugged hole in the cover aligned with the winding square would suggest that at some time it was housed in a purpose made box with a sprung shutter. There are a number of sight holes in the plates to allow inspection of depthing of the wheels. The only alteration to the mechanism appears to be a change to the dust collar of the winding square. Unlike many of its contemporaries which were substantially modified and improved, the mechanism, including the balance is original.

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