English important museum marine chronometer Circa 1796

Important museum marine chronometer
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An important numbered museum marine chronometer, made by John Arnold & Son in London, England, circa 1796.
The open faced plain case is fitted in to a, true to the original but later made, very high quality eight cornered wooden box. The original dial has black Arabic minute and black Roman hour numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial with black Arabic numerals at six o’clock and blued steel hands. The Arnold spring detent chronometer movement has a helical hairspring.
Dial and movement have matching numbers and are signed.
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Diameter: 16.5 cm
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Signed: John Arnold & Son, London
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According to the Staeger list, the watch was made in 1796 and was part of one of the most important European chronometer collections. Almost all Arnold marine chronometers from this period are in important museums and collections. No.63 is in the Science Museum in London, No. 12 in the British Museum. They are very rarely offered at auctions. No.85 was part of an auction in 2017 and sold for € 55.800.