HAMILTON 21 Marine Chronometer w Box + Rare Navy Timing Cert. - Running Strong
HAMILTON 21 Marine Chronometer w Box + Rare Navy Timing Cert. - Running Strong
SOLD $1,900.00 Sold: Oct 25, 2023 on eBayOriginal Listing Description
eBay Up for sale is a 1941 Hamilton Model 21 Marine Chronometer with 3-tier Mahogany Box, Gimbal Suspension Ring and one-way ratcheting Winding Key, and a Rare Chronometer Timing Certification from the U.S. Navy Puget Sound shipyard. The clock is in excellent cosmetic and working condition. The wooden box in moderate to good condition.This item is the large 85-size Hamilton Model 21 marine chronometer ( and not the much smaller 35-size Hamilton model 22 chronometer) Only the clock, gimbal ring, wooden box, winding key and Navy Timing Certificate are included in this sale, as shown in the photos.The clock is in excellent running condition, and is keeping very good time. The last prior service was likely the 1989 overhaul performed at the Puget Sound Navy Shipyard, as indicated in the certificate. These clocks were recalled for servicing every 3 years to keep them running accurately to meet the demands of ship navigation.This specific clock was originally completed and sold in July of 1944. Based on the service sticker on the bezel, and the 1989 Navy timing certificate, it is likely this clock served 45 years aboard U.S. Navy ships.The clock runs strong and continuously for approximately 56 hours after a full wind-up.The clock movement appears to be very clean, with a very shiny luster. The movement is complete and appears to be in very good condition. There may be minor scratches, dirt, oil residue or other signs of wear. See photos of clock interior and mechanism.The clock dial is in good condition, with some some light scratches and spots of patina. There are the typical bezel compression rub-marks on the extreme outer edge of the dial where the bezel ring clamps down upon the dial. This wear is common, and is out of sight when the clock case is closed. (See photos).All 4 clock hands are present and are in fair to good cosmetic condition.The clock and box are signed in 2 visible locations with matching serial number 2E4744. It is also signed in a 3rd place, the barrel bridge, but that barrel bridge serial number location is covered by the cone shaped base of the balance locking brake.The glass is clear, with no visible defects. There are no chips on the beveled glass edges. See photos showing glass.The bezel ring is in good to condition with only slight spots of patina on the silvered area.This movement also features a Balance Brake Locking Arm, which was often be used to immobilize the delicate Balance Wheel when the clock was to shipped to a Navy Chronometer Service Center. No balance brake key is included. However, if desired the brake can still be lowered or raised using a common 1/16 inch L shaped hex key (not included).The Brass Chronometer Case Tub has and Gimbal Ring have a few light scratches and patina. (see photos)The chronometer's UP - DOWN winding power reserve indicator hand and its driving mechanism are working properly. The Up - Down indicator was used as follows: When in service aboard a ship, these marine chronometers were always wound every day, and at the same time each day, to ensure maximum timekeeping accuracy. It is the first 24 hours of operation after a full winding of the clock that isosynchronism (stable timekeeping rate) is best achieved. After 24 hours there is sometimes a slight drop-off in accuracy as the mainspring winds down from 24 to 48 hours. The Up - Down indicator was used as a visual verification that the chronometer had indeed been wound-up again for that day, and consistently for every day. If the hand passes the 24 hour mark, then it is time to wind up the chronometer again (even though it would continue running with lesser but still acceptable levels of accuracy).The 3-tier mahogany box is in good overall condition for its age. There are some scratches, oxidation on the box wood and the brass drop handles, latches and hinges. See photos.There is 1 metal corner inlay on the right side of the box exterior that is slightly raised, as the inlay nail has pulled through. See close up photo showing raised inlay.There are some horizontal streaks on the top half of the front side of the box (see close up photos). This could be loss of finish, and does not seem to be a true split in the wood.There is a thin streak on the top lacquer finish of the top lid. It is very shallow and is only visible with side lighting (see photo)The box drop-handles, latches and hinges are present and are working. Minor scratches and oxidation are present. See photos.The box's time observation glass plate is in good condition with neither any cracks nor any significant scratches.The brass gimbal ring, its support screws and nuts are all present and are functioning as expected. The metal surfaces are comparatively clean, with some minimal scratches and patina. See photos.The swiveling locking arm is present and is working properly.The wooden box measures approximately 7.5 inches on each side (excluding side handles)The clock dial is 4 and 1/8 inches in diameter Although the clock is currently functioning well and keeping good time, I cannot guarantee continued future operation or timing performance as all of the parts inside the clock are over 75 years old.Only the Chronometer clock, gimbal ring, winding key, Mahogany 3-tier box, and U.S. Navy timing Certificate are included in this sale. No other items are included.The chronometer will be carefully secured and balance wheel locked (immobilized for safe transport). The clock will be double-boxed with plenty of protective cushioning, with tracking and insurance for safe delivery. I've shipped over 20 of these chronometers with 100% of them arriving safely in undamaged condition Please ask before buying if you have any questions. Payment and ShippingThe cost of shipping includes tracking and insurance for the full value of the item. The clock will be corked, and double boxed with plenty of protective cushioning.This item only ships to addresses in the United States. Sorry, No International Shipping for this item. Due to the delicate nature of this antique, this item only ships to addresses in the United States. Insurance and Tracking are included in the stated shipping price. No returns on this item unless it differs materially from the item description or photos. Payment is expected within 48 hours of sale unless prior arrangements have been made. Note that some states may require payment of sales tax with the purchase of this item. Thank you for looking!
Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for clocks collectors and appraisers.
Original Listing Description
eBay Up for sale is a 1941 Hamilton Model 21 Marine Chronometer with 3-tier Mahogany Box, Gimbal Suspension Ring and one-way ratcheting Winding Key, and a Rare Chronometer Timing Certification from the U.S. Navy Puget Sound shipyard. The clock is in excellent cosmetic and working condition. The wooden box in moderate to good condition.This item is the large 85-size Hamilton Model 21 marine chronometer ( and not the much smaller 35-size Hamilton model 22 chronometer) Only the clock, gimbal ring, wooden box, winding key and Navy Timing Certificate are included in this sale, as shown in the photos.The clock is in excellent running condition, and is keeping very good time. The last prior service was likely the 1989 overhaul performed at the Puget Sound Navy Shipyard, as indicated in the certificate. These clocks were recalled for servicing every 3 years to keep them running accurately to meet the demands of ship navigation.This specific clock was originally completed and sold in July of 1944. Based on the service sticker on the bezel, and the 1989 Navy timing certificate, it is likely this clock served 45 years aboard U.S. Navy ships.The clock runs strong and continuously for approximately 56 hours after a full wind-up.The clock movement appears to be very clean, with a very shiny luster. The movement is complete and appears to be in very good condition. There may be minor scratches, dirt, oil residue or other signs of wear. See photos of clock interior and mechanism.The clock dial is in good condition, with some some light scratches and spots of patina. There are the typical bezel compression rub-marks on the extreme outer edge of the dial where the bezel ring clamps down upon the dial. This wear is common, and is out of sight when the clock case is closed. (See photos).All 4 clock hands are present and are in fair to good cosmetic condition.The clock and box are signed in 2 visible locations with matching serial number 2E4744. It is also signed in a 3rd place, the barrel bridge, but that barrel bridge serial number location is covered by the cone shaped base of the balance locking brake.The glass is clear, with no visible defects. There are no chips on the beveled glass edges. See photos showing glass.The bezel ring is in good to condition with only slight spots of patina on the silvered area.This movement also features a Balance Brake Locking Arm, which was often be used to immobilize the delicate Balance Wheel when the clock was to shipped to a Navy Chronometer Service Center. No balance brake key is included. However, if desired the brake can still be lowered or raised using a common 1/16 inch L shaped hex key (not included).The Brass Chronometer Case Tub has and Gimbal Ring have a few light scratches and patina. (see photos)The chronometer's UP - DOWN winding power reserve indicator hand and its driving mechanism are working properly. The Up - Down indicator was used as follows: When in service aboard a ship, these marine chronometers were always wound every day, and at the same time each day, to ensure maximum timekeeping accuracy. It is the first 24 hours of operation after a full winding of the clock that isosynchronism (stable timekeeping rate) is best achieved. After 24 hours there is sometimes a slight drop-off in accuracy as the mainspring winds down from 24 to 48 hours. The Up - Down indicator was used as a visual verification that the chronometer had indeed been wound-up again for that day, and consistently for every day. If the hand passes the 24 hour mark, then it is time to wind up the chronometer again (even though it would continue running with lesser but still acceptable levels of accuracy).The 3-tier mahogany box is in good overall condition for its age. There are some scratches, oxidation on the box wood and the brass drop handles, latches and hinges. See photos.There is 1 metal corner inlay on the right side of the box exterior that is slightly raised, as the inlay nail has pulled through. See close up photo showing raised inlay.There are some horizontal streaks on the top half of the front side of the box (see close up photos). This could be loss of finish, and does not seem to be a true split in the wood.There is a thin streak on the top lacquer finish of the top lid. It is very shallow and is only visible with side lighting (see photo)The box drop-handles, latches and hinges are present and are working. Minor scratches and oxidation are present. See photos.The box's time observation glass plate is in good condition with neither any cracks nor any significant scratches.The brass gimbal ring, its support screws and nuts are all present and are functioning as expected. The metal surfaces are comparatively clean, with some minimal scratches and patina. See photos.The swiveling locking arm is present and is working properly.The wooden box measures approximately 7.5 inches on each side (excluding side handles)The clock dial is 4 and 1/8 inches in diameter Although the clock is currently functioning well and keeping good time, I cannot guarantee continued future operation or timing performance as all of the parts inside the clock are over 75 years old.Only the Chronometer clock, gimbal ring, winding key, Mahogany 3-tier box, and U.S. Navy timing Certificate are included in this sale. No other items are included.The chronometer will be carefully secured and balance wheel locked (immobilized for safe transport). The clock will be double-boxed with plenty of protective cushioning, with tracking and insurance for safe delivery. I've shipped over 20 of these chronometers with 100% of them arriving safely in undamaged condition Please ask before buying if you have any questions. Payment and ShippingThe cost of shipping includes tracking and insurance for the full value of the item. The clock will be corked, and double boxed with plenty of protective cushioning.This item only ships to addresses in the United States. Sorry, No International Shipping for this item. Due to the delicate nature of this antique, this item only ships to addresses in the United States. Insurance and Tracking are included in the stated shipping price. No returns on this item unless it differs materially from the item description or photos. Payment is expected within 48 hours of sale unless prior arrangements have been made. Note that some states may require payment of sales tax with the purchase of this item. Thank you for looking!
Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for clocks collectors and appraisers.