Working on marine chronometers is a specialist undertaking, tools and equipment play a part but above all a high degree of skill is required to achieve the standards required.
When buying a marine chronometer it is important to have it professionally assessed as a poorly maintained, damaged or wrong one can be very costly.
All chronometer movements are serviced/overhauled and guaranteed for twelve months. Longer guarantees can be given for a charge but there is not much point in this for the following reason:
If a chronometer is to be used constantly then it should be cleaned, serviced and checked every twelve months, which will then renew the guarantee. Most owners only want to run their instruments occasionally as one would a vintage motor car, which will results in a much longer period before a service is necessary.
The reason most chronometer movements are in excellent condition for their age is that they have been treated with great respect during their working life. As a vital tool of the mariner they have received regular service. It is when they have left that life that some have not faired so well.
SALE OF MARINE CHRONOMETERS
SERVICE, RESTORATION
AND
REPAIR
PROTOTYPE EIGHT - DAY MARINE CHRONOMETER INSPIRED BY THE GREAT MAKERS OF THE PAST
You can read more about “The Finding of Longitude” on the history page
When one thinks of the first “Sea Clocks” the name of John Harrison is at the forefront although the Frenchmen Pierre Le Roy and Ferdinand Berthoud were also working on the problem of longitude, but Harrison’s stubborn determination and forty years of dedication resolved it and led to the British domination of chronometer production.
JOHN HARRISON 1693-1796
