Dreweatts 1759
Lot 137
A VICTORIAN EIGHT-DAY MARINE CHRONOMETERFARQUHAR, LONDON, THIRD QUARTER OF THE 19th CENTURYThe circular three columnar pillar single chain fusee movement with crescent-shaped backplate enclosing the greatwheel with Harrison's maintaining power and the centre wheel, the remainder of the train contained within a smaller circular three-pillar sub-plate including Earnshaw type spring detent escapement regulated by a split bimetallic balance with cylindrical timing weights and helical balance spring, with faceted diamond destone and blued steel backcock securing screws, the 4.5 inch circular silvered Roman numeral dial with subsidiary seconds dial engraved P over 6 beneath signature FARQUHAR, KING ST'T., TOWER HILL, LONDON across the centre and DOWN/UP state-of-wind dial to upper margin, the rear of the dial plate also stamped P over 6, the movement and dial secured by a screw-down bezel, incorporating a canted silver insert bordering the dial, into a lacquered brass bowl with shuttered winding hole to underside, (lacking hands, glass, gimbals and case).13.5cm (5.25ins) diameter, 8.5cm (3.375ins) high. Two generations of watch and marine chronometer maker with the name William Farquhar are recorded in Betts, Jonathan MARINE CHRONOMETERS AT GREENWICH, A Catalogue of Marine Chronometers at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich as working in London during the 19th century. William Farquhar senior was born in Aberdeen around 1795, was admitted as a Freeman to the Clockmakers' Company in 1827 and would appear to have been engaged principally as a watchmaker during the earlier part of his career. In the 1841 census he was recorded as at George Street, Tower Hill but had moved to 10 King Street by 1848, the year of the birth of his second son, William Charles. The 1861 Census records William Farquhar as a 'Chromometer Maker' working from the same address; he died in 1870. His second son (by his second marriage), William Charles, followed him into the watchmaking trade and was still working (in Bermondsey) at the age of 63 in 1911; he died in 1932. The reason for the numbering 'P 6' to the dial of the current chronometer is not immediately obvious, however it may be appropriate to suggest that it was possibly made/supplied as part of a series.
