Y A LATE VICTORIAN ROSEWOOD TWO-DAY MARINE CHRONOMETER

Y A LATE VICTORIAN ROSEWOOD TWO-DAY MARINE CHRONOMETERWhyte Thomson And Company, Glasgow, circa 1890four pillar full-plate single chain fusee movement with spotted plates, Harrison's maintaining power and Earnshaw type spring detent escapement regulated by split bimetallic balance fitted with wedge-shaped and circular timing weights and helical balance spring, the 3.75 inch circular silvered Roman numeral dial with blued steel hands, subsidiary seconds incorporating serial number 5296, opposing lower power reserve dial and inscribed Whyte, Thomson, and Comp'y, MAKERS TO THE ADMIRALTY., GLASGOW & SOUTH SHIELDS to centre beneath engraved red HIGHEST AWARD EDINBURGH 1886 and SILVER MEDAL AWARDED, 1886 medallions, set in a lacquered brass bowl with screw-down bezel mounted within pivoted gimbals with locking screw, in a rosewood three-tier case with, inset brass strap reinforced edges, hinged brass side handles and later brass rectangular plate inscribed LICUNGO, MAPUTO over brass to front.18cm (7ins) square, 19.5cm (7.75ins) high. Whyte, Thomson and Company are recorded in Betts, Jonathan MARINE CHRONOMETERS AT GREENWICH as working between 1889 and 1934 initially from 142-44 Broomielaw, Glasgow. They were suppliers of Nautical Instruments, chronometers, clocks and watches who can trace their roots back to Greenock, where a former generation was based prior to moving to Glasgow in 1827. The father and son partnership of James and James Whyte (circa 1836-74 and born 1860 respectively) took fellow apprentice of James Whyte senior, James Thomson, into the partnership in 1889. By 1891 the business employed around 70 workman and had a large workshop/factory called Neptune Works at Harmony Row, Govan. The firm exhibited and secured the silver medal at Edinburgh in 1886, and the diploma (the highest award) at Glasgow in 1888. By 1902 they had a branch at South Shields, County Durham and the Glasgow operations moved to 96 Hope Street in 1912. It was around this time that the business had emerged from a dispute with Lord Kelvin and F.W. Clarke over compass payments; James Thomson retired in 1915 and the firm became a limited company in 1934 and traded until 1953. Condition Report: Movement is in working condition with no visible alteration or obvious replacements. The mechanism is a little dirty/tarnished but with fine strong decorative spotting to the plates a sensitive clean/service is advisable. The dial has overall patchy discolouration/tarnishing to the silvering otherwise appears to be in sound original condition with good engraving; the hour hand is a replacement. The brass bowl and gimbal assembly appears all-original and has old yellow lacquer showing moderate wear and patchy discolouration; the exterior edge of the bezel has one noticeable scuff/bruise. The top tier of the case is a replacement and has a slight war and shrinkage cracking otherwise the exterior of the case appears to be in good condition retaining fairly old surface with only light bumps, scuffs, scratches and age related wear. The brass plaque to the front is a fairly recent addition.Instrument has a tipsy winder but no case key. Condition Report Disclaimer