ASMUS JOHANNSEN & CO. LONDON SHIPS CHRONOMETER No. 5044

A very fine & historically fascinating mahogany and brass-lined Royal Observatory two-day marine chronometer.

DIAL The 101mm. silvered engraved brass dial has Roman chapters with outer minute track, blued steel hands, the centre is signed A. Johannsen & Co. MAKERS TO THE ADMIRALTY, THE INDIAN GOVt. & ROYAL NAVIES OF Italy, Spain& Portugal. 149 Minories, London. With up-and-down sector beneath XII calibrated 0-48 and seconds ring at VI engraved with the Government Broad Arrow and serial number 5044, both with blued steel hands.

MOVEMENT The full-plate movement has well spotted plates with four ring-turned pillars secured with blued steel screws at the top plate which is further engraved with the Government Broad Arrow and serial number 7568, chain fusee and spring barrel, the escapement with cut bimetallic balance with circular heat compensation weights, palladium helical balance spring and Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement with jewelled locking stone.

BOX With brass bowl punch-numbered 7568 in the base, the underside has a spring-loaded winding cover and is stamped H.S. 1 with the Government Broad Arrow. The brass-bound mahogany box has a vacant brass cartouche plaque to the original top lid and star escutcheons to the lock and lid button. The centre section is applied with a bone plaque engraved A. JOHANNSEN & Co. TWO DAYS 5044 with the Government Broad Arrow, recessed brass drop handles to the sides. Original numbered tipsy winding key

ASMUS JOHANNSEN: Danish born Asmus Johannsen is recorded in Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World, Volume 2, (Brian Loomes) as working in London from 1863-9. He is also listed in Chronometer Makers of the World (Tony Mercer) as a great maker supplying other makers. He worked from various addresses in London from 1859 before finally moving to 149 Minories in 1865. The firm continued in business until 1937.