£1,000
AN ELECTRO-MECHANICAL MASTER CLOCK BY THOMAS MERCER, CIRCA 1961
the 5½in. silvered dial signed as per title and numbered '1122', subsidiary seconds at '12' with inspection port by '60', blued-steel hands, ports for time and stop/start with removable plug, mounted in coated aluminium case with hinged front access, vertical going-barrel movement in counter numbered frosted plates with standard Mercer balance and electric 30 second winding mechanism with battery support, wiring schematic to inside back, threaded humidity plug to top, ten pin electric socket to right and the back with three sets of contacts -- 12 x 9¼ x 4in. (30.5 x 23.5 x 10cm.) overall
Literature: Betts, J: Marine Chronometers at Greenwich, OUP, 2017, p.670-672
This instrument was deaccessioned from the Admiralty Compass Observatory, Ditton Park, and retained by a compass technician who retired in the 1990's
According to Jonathan Betts book, Mercer's publicity advertised that this instrument could be used '...in Observatories Laboratories, Factories, Lighthouses and Lightships'.
Movement clean and untouched - compartment had not been opened until consigned for sale, batteries flat but uncorroded, as no 10-pin lead available movement has not been tested or run.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Free Registration
32.4% inc VAT*
Flat Fee Registration
28.80% inc VAT*
