Mercer Chronometers

new, old stock

Click on pictures to enlarge.

The Thomas Mercer 2-day and 8-day marine chronometers are the peak of dedicated and meticulous craftsmanship. Made essentially the same as they were when Thomas Mercer founded his firm, in England, in 1858. The Mercer chronometer represents the finest results of years of development and skilled handwork. It's basic form has remained unchanged since the mid 1700's when Thomas Earnshaw laid out the escapement mechanisms that determined the manufacturing pattern to this day. The original escapement design was mechanically so sound that no major modifications have ever been found necessary to improve the product. This represents reliability to a degree unknown in any other mechanical movement. Chronometers manufactured 100 years ago perform as well now as the day they left the factory. Regretfully, The Mercer Company, the last maker of marine chronometers in the world, discontinued the production of these fine instruments in 1984. These models we have were produced in 1981 and 1982 and were some of their very best work. They were purchased directly at the factory in St. Albans, England by the Clockfolk.

The cabinet of the chronometer is of the 3 tiered construction with an inner glass lid panel and is inlaid with brass corner pieces and intermediaries. All decorative brasswork and gimbalwork is satin polished and lacquered and the disc carrying the serial no. is of genuine ivory. As of 1980 nearly 32,000 chronometers have been manufactured by the Mercer company which constitutes over half of the chronometers in the world.

Traditional construction, ratchet style winding key, gimbals and gimbal lock, Liverpool handles.

Engraved silvered dial protected by heavy beveled glass set in a screw off bezel for movement access.

These are views of the top of the 2-day timepiece movement. The fusee (pronounced "few-zee") is a conical spiraled groove cut onto a pulley which the mainspring barrel drives by a chain. Leverage increases as the mainspring runs down thus equalizing the power transmitted to the gears from a weakening mainspring during it's running cycle. Actual date of the invention of the fusee is not known, but lies somewhere in the middle of the 15th century in Europe.

All parts of the movement are hand finished by horological craftsmen with decades of experience. Thirteen jewels aid the timepiece in smooth and dependable operation and all hole jewels and endstones are in brass settings, retained in the plates by two screws. Upon completion, each instrument is exhaustively tested at the factory within the temperature range of 40°–95°F (4°–35°C). The bimetallic balance and gold/platinum/palladium alloy hairspring, assure excellent timekeeping. The dial is a heavy solid brass sheet, hand engraved, and silvered.

Exquisitely made movement
of the 2-day marine chronometer.

Balance with gold/platinum/ palladium alloy helical hairspring.

(Click on photos
to enlarge.)

Damascene plates decorate the instrument and all screws are blued.

2-day Mercer Marine Chronometer with Liverpool handles on a 3-tier, brass bound mahogany box #29240, $4500.00.

Same quality and construction as the marine chronometer except built with square plates and the escapement mounted on top.

Beveled glass on 3 sides, top view showing bimetalic balance and platform, back door open.

8-day domestic chronometer in mahogany with ebony inlaid following the corners and brass stringing on front, serial #1243, $10,500.00.

The 8-day domestic chronometer with locking back door open to view the construction and beautiful damascene work.

• Having been sitting unused since new, in 1980, the oils have become gummy, inhibiting their performance. Cleaning is essential by an experienced professional and is offered as an available option at $300.00.
• Shipping extra in all cases. Boxing and preparation for shipping is $100.00 additional domestically, and $300.00 internationally.