Impressive French deck chronometer in heavy mahogany box Circa 1821

Chronometer with Earnshaw type spring detent escapement
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An impressive French marine chronometer deck watch, circa 1821. A two day going deck chronometer with Earnshaw escapement and metallic thermometer. Accompanied by the Breguet certificate dated 1957, the original key and a mahogany deck watch type box. Was sold to the French navy. Oval Chromium plated bowl in oval gimbal. Silver plated dial, black painted Roman indexes, outer track with Arabic 10 minute indication, subsidiary seconds aperture to start/stop the balance, Reaumur thermometer at 3 o’clock and blued steel hands. Brass full plate movement, two large barrels for two day power reserve, Earnshaw type spring detent escapement, two arm compensation balance with cylindrical weights and timing screws, parachute shock absorber, free-sprung polished steel helical balance spring with terminal curves.
Signed on the dial, numbered on the case.
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Diameter: 104 mm
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Signed: Breguet et fils
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A visionary genius way ahead of his time, Abraham Louis was an extremely smart man whose various interests kept his horological inventions at the forefront of creativity. Named in 1814 at the French Longitude Office, this organisation was created to advance astronomy, geography and navigation. It was this, as the only watchmaker part of this group, that he was named Horloger de la Marine in 1815. As the most prestigious title any watchmaker could wish for, similar to the works of JOHN HARRISON, his genius was once again at work to create precise timepieces vitally important at sea. Taking his role extremely seriously, Breguet published in 1817 a 23-page instruction booklet on the use of his marine chronometers at sea.
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In 1819 he published a small catalogue in which he explains the use of the new calibre: “The two barrels act in opposite directions on the centre pinion, and the pressure of each is less than half that of a fusee, the opposing direction of their force bears equally on the pivots, which suffer less strain and friction. The wheel train is completely separate from the barrel and the pieces of the escapement. The latter is mounted on a special platform, almost isolated from the rest which can be removed easily; such a design has the important advantage of allowing the work to be given to the most suitable craftsman.” Completed and sold 2 years before his death, this important and to the best of our knowledge one of the only Marine chronometers with a thermometer is a testament to Abraham Louis Breguet’s skill and genius.