105th Auction
2021/11/13
Lot 64
John CarterMaker to the Royal Navy
A collection of a ship's chronometer and 3 deck watches
A small London ship's chronometer with 56h power reserve
A small London ship's chronometer with 56h power reserve
Sold
estimated
2.700—4.000 €
Price realized
4.300 €
specific features
Case
Mahogany.
Dial
Silvered.
Movement
Brass movement, 74 mm, chain/fusee, spring detent escapement according to Thomas Earnshaw, bimetallic chronometer balance with 6 screws and 2 weights.
Diam.165 x 170 x 165 mm
Circa1840
Ctry.England
This small chronometer comes in a mahogany box extensively decorated with brass ornamentation and is a fine example of English watchmaking.
John Carter (1804-1878) had a reputation as an excellent chronometer maker, who received many awards for his chronometers during his career, such as at the Greenwich Premium Trials in 1834 and 1835. G.B. Airy (Astronomer Royal and director of the Royal Greenwich Observatory) regarded that the quality of Carter’s Chronometers as superior. In 1840 Carter opened his own shop in London; he was appointed as member of the jury at the 1855 World Exhibition in Paris. Carter was also well-known in the society circled of London and in 1859 he served as Lord Mayor of London.