Lilley & Son, London c1906

A good 2-day marine chronometer in its original 3-tier mahogany box, signed on the silvered dial Lilley & Son 10. London S.t London. E.C. 1660 and engraved Makers to the Admiralty.

John Lilley, a nautical optician, started his business in North Shields circa 1885 and opened his London outlet 10 years later.

The Thomas Mercer business was founded in 1858 and was Britain’s last chronometer maker, finally closing in the late 20^th century.

The chronometer has subsidiary dials for seconds and state of wind with gold hour and minute hands. The winding key is a replacement.

The underside of the bowl is engraved with a broad arrow and HS1 indicating that the chronometer has been in British Government service at some time – probably during World War II.

.

The movement, with Earnshaw type spring detent escapement, is stamped 7358 and the number is repeated inside the bowl. Records show that this movement was sold by Thomas Mercer of St. Albans to Lilley & Son in 1906.

The 3-tier mahogany box has a brass key escutcheon, a brass plaque to the upper lid and recessed handles.

The middle tier has a brass plaque engraved To R. C. Moore Esq with the appreciation of his staff 25th December 1945.

The chronometer box measures 7¼” x 7¼” x 7½” high.

Stock No. C1118