Collection

Deck-watch used by Capt. George Vancouver on board HMS Discovery 1791-5

Made:: 1791 in London

maker:: Thomas Earnshaw

Deck-watch used by Capt. George Vancouver on board HMS Discovery 1791-5
The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers/Clarissa Bruce
© The Clockmakers’ Charity

Silver pair-cased, spring detent escapement deck-watch by Thomas Earnshaw. White enamel dial with a subsidiary seconds dial and inscribed 'Thomas Earnshaw Invt et Fecit No.58'. The movement is signed 'Thos. Earnshaw London Invt. et Fecit. no 1514’ and has a two-arm bi-metallic compensation balance with wedge weights. (Earnshaw’s double numbering system is not understood). Hallmarked 1791-2.

This watch was used for navigation by Capt. George Vancouver (c.1755 – 1798) on board HMS Discovery, during his famous voyage surveying the West Coast of America (1791 – 5).

Clockmakers Museum No. 427

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Details

Category:: Clockmakers

Object Number:: L2015-3340

Materials:: brass (copper, zinc alloy), diamond, enamel, glass, silver (alloy) and steel (metal)

Measurements:: watch: 67 mm x 49 mm x 23.5 mm,
outer case: 59 mm x 57 mm x 19 mm,

type:: watch

credit:: Lent by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers

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