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175
175 (detail)
174
DONNINGTON PRIORY
174 (detail)
174
A German retailed two-day marine chronometer
Theodore Knoblich under A. Meier, Altona, Hamburg, late 19th century
The four pillar full-plate chain fusee movement with spotted plates,
Harrison’s maintaining power, Earnshaw type spring detent escapement
split bimetallic balance with cylindrical compensation weights, helical
balance spring and faceted diamond endstone, the frontplate numbered
6963, the 4 inch circular silvered Roman numeral dial with gold hands,
subsidiary seconds and Ah/Auf power reserve dials, and inscribed TH.
KNOBLICH. INHAB: A. MEIER, HAMBURG FRUHER ALTONA, 2350 to
centre, set in a lacquered brass bowl with screw-down bezel mounted
within pivoted gimbals with locking screw and tipsy key, the case
(lacking top tier) with inset star shaped brass escutcheons, recessed
side handles and applied with ivorine trade plate with repeat signature to
front of upper tier, 18cm (7ins) wide.
Theodore Knoblich is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of
the World as a ‘fine chronometer and observatory clockmaker’ born in 1827 and
died 1892, The firm was latterly run by A. Meier and is thought to have continued
trading until shortly before the outbreak of the Great War. The presence of the
serial number ‘6963’ on the movement suggests that it was bought-in, probably
from an English supplier for finishing and retail by Knoblich.
£1,000-1,500
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A two-day marine chronometer
Signature erased, English, mid 19th century
The four pillar full-plate chain fusee movement with Harrison’s
maintaining power, Earnshaw type spring detent escapement, split
bimetallic balance with wedge-shaped compensation weights, helical
balance spring and faceted diamond endstone, the frontplate numbered
626, the 3.75 inch circular Roman numeral dial with gold hands, subsidiary
seconds and UP/DOWN power reserve dials, set in a lacquered brass bowl
with screw-down bezel, (gimbals and box lacking), diameter 12cm (4.75ins).
The use of wedge-shaped compensation weights coupled with twin
timing screws to the balance is reminiscent of the work of Parkinson and
Frodsham during the 1840’s, however the standard 0-56 hour calibration
of the power reserve dial would suggest a date of around 1850. The
relatively low serial number suggests that the current lot probably
originates from the workshop of a relatively low volume maker as the
more prolific established workshops were producing timepieces with
serial numbers well into four digits by this time.
£600-800
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