“THE H.M.S. WARRIOR CHRONOMETER”
An Historically Important
Mahogany 2-day Marine Chronometer
by
John Dent, London No. 2459
circa 1854
❝ We like: take your son to see HMS Warrior, then show him this – Cool, Dad!
Even leaving aside the fascinating provenance, this is a well above average 2-day
chronometer. Best maker, good condition, Airy’s bar, very original movement, Royal Navy
issue with fully recorded long service history. Now add the H.M.S. Warrior history and it is
suddenly elevated to the premier league of desirable chronometers – fit for even the most
grown-up of chronometer collections – and for Dad.❞
The 3¾ inch diameter circular silvered dial is signed DENT, LONDON, Chronometer maker
to the QUEEN No. 2459 WITH AIRY’S SUPPLEMENTARY COMPENSATION. Engraved
Roman chapter ring with outer minute track, original blued steel spade hands. Two
subsidiary dials in the centre; the Up-and-Down dial calibrated 0-56 with blued steel hand,
the seconds dial with delicate blued steel hand and engraved with the Government arrow.
The movement has circular brass plates, spring barrel, chain fusee, maintaining power, high
quality wheel train with five crossings, Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement with jewelled
locking stone, steel helical spring with diamond endstone, cut bimetallic balance with circular
heat compensation weights and Airy’s supplementary affix bar, the top plate engraved with the
government broad arrow.
The three-tier mahogany box has the original top lid, the central lid is set with a circular
bone plaque engraved DENT 1459 TWO DAYS and further engraved with the government
broad arrow. The lower section has the original green baize lining to the cill, later green
baize to the base of the box. The sides with lacquered brass drop handles.
The interior with the original lacquered brass gimbal and bowl, the latter stamped DENT
2459 to the interior, the reverse of the bowl engraved H.S.1 with the government broad
arrow, the winding hole with spring-loaded brass cap. Together with the original brass
tipsy winding key.
SIZE OF BOX: 6½ x 6¼ x 6¼ ins.
PRICE: £6,500
PROVENANCE:
In addition to serving with HMS Warrior, Dent No. 2459 saw considerable service with
other ships in the Royal Navy. Originally brought into service on 14
th
October, 1854 “In
exchange for Old Chronometer” it was immediately issued to H.M.S. Cossack and
subsequently saw service with a further seven naval vessels. The last vessel being H.M.S.
Greyhound II in 1918, before being used “For Instrumental Purposes” at R.N. Barracks,
Portsmouth. It was finally sold to A. Johannsen on 16
th
June, 1948.
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