Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments
Description:
Thomas Porthouse Ship's Chronometer for Captain Davis of the Philena, Charlestown, Massachusetts, and London, c. 1857, brass-bound case with maker's plaque reading "Thos. Porthouse/Chronometer Maker/No. 16 Northampton Square/London," circular boss reading "Francis Deming/Charlestown Mass/1857/United States," and a rare oval paper label reading "No. 7104/Bk Philena/Capt. Davis," engraved roman numeral silvered dial reading "Thomas Porthouse/Maker to the Admiralty/16 Northampton Square, London," up/down indicator with seconds bit marked in the center "7104," original lacquered gimbaled case with a two-day damascened plate chain fusee movement with helical hairspring, split bimetallic balance, and spring detent escapement.
Provenance: Purchased privately in the early 1970s by the current owner.
Estimate $3,000-4,000
Items may have wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Keywords
Davis, Francis Deming/Charlestown, Thomas Porthouse/Maker, Charlestown, London, United StatesJonathan Dowling
Director, Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments
508-970-3131
Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments
From early timekeeping devices to precision regulators, the Clocks, Watches & Scientific Instruments department covers centuries of invention and function with trusted appraisals and world-competitive auctions.