English deck watch with eight-day power reserve Circa 1970

Deck chronometer in a mahogany box by Thomas Mercer
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An English eight-day marine chronometer in a mahogany box, circa 1970. This timepiece features a fusee and chain movement with Earnshaw’s spring detent escapement, ensuring consistent power. It is numbered 1206. The silvered dial includes subsidiary up/down and seconds dials and is signed Thomas Mercer, Maker to the Admiralty, St Albans. It is designated as No.1206N, Greenwich Chronometer. The brass bowl is gimballed within a three-tier brass-bound box with side-carrying handles and an ivorine plaque signed and numbered.
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Width: 235 mm
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Signed: Thomas Mercer Maker to the Admiralty, St Albans
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The dial is in very good condition. The case is generally in good condition, with a crack at the top of the lid and one or two minor marks and scratches. The wood block for the winder is loose, but it is included. It comes with a case key and a tipsey winder. The movement is complete and running but would benefit from clean and fresh oil.
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Thomas Mercer was an English watchmaker based in London and St. Albans. He was known for making chronometers using mercury compensation, and he founded the company Thos. Mercer & Son, later renamed Thomas Mercer Ltd. Mercer was born in November 1822 in St Helens, Lancashire and learned the trade from his grandfather, a watchmaker. He furthered his training at Thos. Russell & Son in Liverpool before establishing himself as a chronometer maker in London in 1858.
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Mercer was actively involved in the British Horological Institute and emphasised the need to modernise the industry and organise the training of young people. In 1874, he moved his business to St. Albans and continued to send his chronometers to the Greenwich competitions, achieving success. He married Mary Thompson in 1875 and had seven children.
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After he died in 1900, his sons took over the company, which continued to manufacture marine chronometers and precision regulators. In 1984, the company was dissolved, and the name was sold to Sinclair Harding.