Marine chronometer

Marine chronometer numbered 6972 by Gardner & Co. A two-day full-plate fusee movement. Four pillars, all fixed with blued steel screws. The fusee has stop-work and Harrison's maintaining power. Earnshaw-type spring-detent escapement. Compensation balance with helical balance spring.

Mounted in three-tier box, push-catch for lid and lock for upper half. Upper half has a strut limiting opening to 90 degrees. The box fittings are standard, with surface-mounted handles on the sides, brass gimbals and a ratchet winding key. The push-catch and lock are surrounded by shaped brass inserts. The top of the lid has a small shaped brass insert inscribed 'Royal Yacht' with a crown symbol. On the front of the upper half is a round ivory tablet inscribed 'GARDNER 6972 2 DAY' and on the front of the lower half is a round ivory tablet inscribed '6972 TWO DAYS'. The base of the box is covered with green baize.

Silvered brass dial with Roman numerals and a large seconds dial having Arabic ten-second figures. An up-and-down dial is present under the XII position with the word 'Wind' replacing the 24-hour marking. The dial is inscribed in the centre 'Gardner & Co., Makers to the Admiralty, Grafton St. Dublin 6972', and at the bottom of the dial, 'Re-adjusted by J. Poole 1888'. The chronometer is in good condition.

One of a pair of chronometers (the other being Crisp 6045) that came from Queen Victoria's yacht, Victoria and Albert III. They were brought to the Royal Observatory for safe keeping during the First World War. When King George V asked them back in 1930, Astronomer Royal Sir Frank Dyson quickly had them overhauled before they were returned. He noted their performance was 'quite satisfactory and up to the standard required for navigational chronometers in H.M. Navy'.

Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Presented by Queen Elizabeth II, 1954