Lot 50
50
An English mahogany eight-day 'Hertfordshire' table chronometer
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
An English mahogany eight-day 'Hertfordshire' table chronometer

THOMAS MERCER LTD, ST ALBANS. NO.809. CIRCA 1950

Details
An English mahogany eight-day 'Hertfordshire' table chronometer
Thomas Mercer Ltd, St Albans. No.809. Circa 1950
The rectangular case with ebonised banding, with bevelled glass panels to the top and sides, spirit level to the top, the moulded base raised on adjustable black-painted brass bun feet, with brass bezel and silvered sight ring to the silvered 5½in. diameter dial with subsidiary seconds ring at XII and up/down ring above VI, numbered 809 to its centre, signed across the centre THOMAS MERCER LTD ST. ALBANS, ENG., with escapement locking button by I, the single fusee (chain lines) movement with substantial double-screwed gilt baluster pillars and thick well spot-finished plates, maintaining power, with large gilt platform numbered 809 to the Earnshaw type chronometer escapement with steel spring, cut bimtetallic balance with cylindrical heat compensation weights, the contrate pivot within jewelled chaton, with repeat number to the back plate and to the base plate.
11½in. (29.5cm.) high
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Thomas Mercer, the founder of the firm Thomas Mercer Ltd, was born in Lancashire in 1822. After his death in 1900 the business was continued by his sons Thomas (1876-1935) and Frank (1882-1970). Under their management the company continued to make the chronometers which had been the core of their business in the 19th Century but also diversified into other areas of clockmaking. The firm subsequently passed into the hands of Frank's sons, Thomas Gurney and Frank Anthony. In 1984 it was purchased by the company Sinclair Harding.

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