Object Description
A Fine Two Day Marine Chronometer By G.H & C Gowland, Sunderland No. 1931
Two day marine chromometer by G.H & C Gowland housed in a beautiful three tier mahogany brass bound box with brass carrying handles to the sides, inset plaque to the front signed ‘1931 2 Days’ below a brass push button knob opening to a third tier. The box has a wonderful rich patina and retains it’s solid brass Tipsy key.
The movement is housed within a gimballed brass surround.
The high quality 56 hour chain fusee movement has full brass plates joined by four ringed pillars, an Earnshaw-type sprung detent escapement with maintaining power, split bi-metallic balance and cylindrical shaped temperature compensation weights, polished steel helical balance and faceted endstone.
The silvered dial signed ‘Thomas G.H & C Gowland’, maker to the Admiralty, Sunderland. No. 1931 with subsidiary dial below XII for ‘state of wind’ and subsidiary seconds dial above the VI, original ‘blued’ steel hands. C.1870
‘Chronometer makers of the world’ by Tony Mercer lists Gowland Hay & Co as working from 178 High Street West, Sunderland from 1852 1880 then from Fawcett Street, Sunderland from 1913-1914.