Robert Roskell, Liverpool. No. 831

SOLD

Fine 2-day marine chronometer, probably supplied by the specialist London firm of Robert Pennington. Circa 1836.

Case

Brass-bound figured mahogany box with bone tablet numbered 831, the lid with a brass plaque bearing the name JAS HANSEY. The brass gimbals and furniture in good condition, the bowl retaining the original slim bezel and domed glass. Original rising ratchet key numbered 831.

Dial

Silvered dial signed Robt Roskell Liverpool numbered 831/49267 with subsidiary seconds dial and state-of-wind at 12. Original blued-steel hands with ‘moon’ type hour hand.

Movement

Fullplate fusee movement with diamond cap jewels on balance and escape, the winding square retaining its brass fusee pipe and what is probably the original mainspring scratch signed “John Mills, Sept 7 1836, 17 St James St, Clerkenwell.” Spring-detent escapement of Pennington’s dovetail form, as originally fitted, the Pennington type compensation balance with quarter-timing nuts. 10-turn blued-steel helical balance-spring with Arnold’s terminal curves.

Box approx 6 1/4 inches (16 cm) square.

Robert Roskell (1773-1847), then working with his son Robert, one of the most eminent and energetic Liverpool makers, suppliers of watches, chronometers and clocks. The son later became a partner in the firm of Hunt & Roskell and it is interesting to see that even at this period (c.1835), this major Liverpool firm had such strong contacts with the London trade.

Robert Pennington, together with his son Robert and other members of the family, were one of the leading chronometer makers of the first half of the 19th century. Robert Pennington seems to have specialised in chronometer making after working for Thomas Mudge junior in the manufacture of Mudge-copy chronometers. Such was his skill that he and his son soon became suppliers to some of the very best retailers of the day: Barraud, Barwise, Ellicott and Arnold & Dent amongst many others.