This chronometer was made by the firm of Thomas Mercer and was used as a timekeeping aid at Sydney Observatory. This company set up by Thomas Mercer senior in 1858 and continued under the management of his son Thomas junior until 1984.

Its longevity ensured the company was one of the best known of the British chronometer making firms. The company won numerous prizes at International Exhibitions and by 1900 when Thomas Senior died it is estimated he had overseen the construction of around 6000 chronometers. After his death the firm went on to be the largest manufacturer of chronometers in the world producing somewhere in the vicinity of 31,000 in its 128 year history.

This instrument is a fine example of the workmanship of one of the world's most famous firm of chronometer makers. The design and hand-made parts also illustrate how little had changed in chronometer making between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It also illustrates their continued use as timekeeping aids at Sydney Observatory well into the twentieth century.

Geoff Barker, Assistant Curator, Total Asset Management Project, March 2008

References
Mercer, Tony, 'Chronometer Makers of the World', N.A.G. Press and Tony Mercer, 1991

This chronometer was made by Thomas Mercer Ltd in England, 1930-1940.

The chronometer was used at Sydney Observatory, Observatory Hill, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Box chronometer, number 14620, wood / metal / glass, made by Thomas Mercer, London, England, 1936-1937, used at Sydney Observatory, Observatory Hill, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

A 48 hour, sidereal time, marine chronometer held in a wooden storage box with a hinged lid. Inside the storage box is another wooden box which holds the chronometer. The box holding the chronometer has a double hinged lid. The top section of the lid opens using a push button to reveal another lid with a glass panel in the top.The top section of the lid opens using a push button to reveal another lid with a glass panel in the top. The chronometer can be viewed through the glass panel. The chronometer sits in a metal ring that is fixed inside the box with two screws. The chronometers mechanism is encased in a circular brass surround. The dial or face of the chronometer is white with black numerals from '' to '23' marked around the edge. There are two smaller dials towards the middle of the main dial. The upper dial is marked from '' to '56' while the lower dial is marked from '20' to '60'. A circular section is cut out of the centre of the lower dial, revealing part of the chronometers mechanism. A circular glass cover sits over the face of the chronometer. On one side of the box are two electrical connectors with cord covered wires attached. On either side of the box is a metal handle. There is a latch in the centre front of the box and the box has inlaid metal corners and a decorative inlaid metal panel in the top of the lid. Behind the chronometer at the back of the box is a small compartment in which a brass winder key with a cylindrical shaft is stored. The wooden box holding the chronometer is then enclosed in another wooden storage case.

Observatory stock number 318.

Made: Thomas Mercer Ltd; Saint Albans, England; 1930 - 1940


Used: Sydney Observatory; Sydney

H9904

1930 - 1940

225 mm

255 mm

240 mm