⭕ ENGLISH 8 DAY FUSEE MARINE CHRONOMETER, FRODSHAM, LIVERPOOL, #2346
SUCCESSOR TO PARKINSON & FRODSHAM, MAKER TO ADMIRALTY

For sale is an 8 day fusee marine chronometer, made circa 1850/1860. Engraving on the beautifully silvered dial is as follows: Frodsham, Successors to Parkinson & Frodsham, Maker to the Admiralty, South Castle St., Liverpool, Serial number 2346. Of course there is the usual pair of hour/minute hands (gold), the blue seconds hand. and the blue up/down wind indicator (7 wind to 0 up.) .Keeps accurate time. Clean condition. It is interesting that the extended running time for this marine chronometer is accomplished by having a fusee with more turns than usual and a spring barrel that is fully loaded with a longer chain. Therefore, this 8 day instrument (actually capable of running longer than 8 days) is what appears to be a larger 2 day ebauche, along with the longer fusee chain and the normal gearing to extend the run time. While the 8 day instruments are less accurate than the 2 day instruments, they are rarer and more desirable for marine chronometer collectors. I have often heard that the larger warships would carry 2-two day instruments and 1-8 day chronometer. The reasoning was a follows: If there was just one instrument, how could the seamen know it was accurate enough to navigate dangerous waters. If there were 2 two day chronometers and the time was dramatically different between the 2 instruments, which of the 2 two day chronometers would be closer to being accurate. Therefore, the decision to carry three chronometers on the large flagships, and the average of the two chronometers closest in time would assumed to be the correct time with which to navigate. The chronometer weighs (9 pounds), which would represent 15 to 16 pounds final shipping weight. The three tier gimbaled box is 7 3/4 square and 8 1/2 high. The diameter of the bezel is 5 1/4 and the diameter of the actual dial is 4 inches. Collection or shipping and in case of unhappy with the purchase, simply return within 30 days for a full refund.