Description
From a watchmaker’s estate, a nicely refurbished Waltham 8-day Marine Chronometer or chronometer watch with lever escapement in fine running condition. The unit is in nice condition and features original hardware. The Waltham 8-day Marine Chronometer is housed in a three-tier brass-bound mahogany box with the center section with glass panel.
The United States Shipping Board (USSB) was established as an emergency agency by the Shipping Act (39 Stat. 729), September 7, 1916, during WWI. This timepiece in all likelihood used on a Liberty Ship during the Great War. Many of these timepiece subsequently were pressed into service during WWII when the call went out for timepiece the US Government was not able to supply in sufficient numbers during the beginning of WWII. The advertisement from the National Geographic from 1919 shows the same type of Waltham 8-day Marine Chronometer “Timing the World’s Journey Around the Sun” and “Times the Warships of Uncle Sam and Britain”.
The first mounted chronometer watch purchased by the Naval Observatory was made by Waltham in 1907. The first was serial number 16,628,501. Over the period of 29 years, ending in 1936, Waltham made 16,000 of these clocks with the final serial number being 28,924,500. This one is serial number 22132310 which dates the clock to 1918 during WWI. Waltham “Military Spec” clocks were prized for their accurate timekeeping and the high quality of their cases. After military service, many of these chronometer clocks found service in jewelry shop windows where they provided accurate time for passersby to set their watches or for the watchmaker on site to time watches being serviced.
More about this Waltham 8-day Marine Chronometer
The top latch of this unit functions correctly. Unit features Waltham’s famous twin barrel 15 jewel movement with desireable Damaskeening engraving and blued screws. The movement keeps excellent time as it was recently serviced. The box is labeled with Waltham nameplate on front and United States Shipping Board serial numbered plaque on top (U.S.S.B. 2441).
DIMENSIONS:
Diameter of gimbals 4″ Weight 2 lbs 14 oz
Top opening Mahogany case measures 4 7/8″ x 4 7/8″ x 4 7/8″
This Waltham 8-day Marine Chronometer would make a great addition to a collection or could be used on board a yacht or be equally at home in a study or library.
SOLD to a collector in HI, USA.
