• A fine 2-day marine chronometer in its original mahogany box, signed on the silvered dial Hamilton Lancaster, PA., U.S.A. N1484 1941. The chronometer has subsidiary dials for seconds and state of wind with blued steel hour and minute hands. The chronometer is complete with its original numbered ratchet winding key.
   
• The movement has an Earnshaw type spring detent escapement and an ovalising balance. The backplate of the movement is engraved model 21, 14 jewels, Hamilton Watch Co. Lancaster, Penna. Made in U.S.A. N1484 – 1941 and the frontplate is engraved 2E1484.  
   
• The 3-tier mahogany box has brass corners and drop handles with labels to the front of the middle tier reading Hamilton Watch Co. Lancaster, PA., U.S.A. and N1484. These labels are repeated inside the bottom of the box. Inside the box are a British Ministry of Defence label and a small card holder (for the MOD card stating when issued etc.). The box measures 7½” x 7½” x 7½” high.
   

The Hamilton Watch Company, with no previous experience of chronometer manufacture, was asked in 1940 to produce chronometers for the US Navy. First deliveries were in 1942 and in 1944 they were producing over 400 chronometers a month, an incredible achievement.

The date 1941 on the chronometer dial is the date of the US Government’s first contract with Hamilton for chronometer production, 1484 is the chronometer serial number.

The records at Greenwich for this chronometer were lost when the Royal Observatory moved from Greenwich to Herstmonceux in the early 1950’s. The only record Greenwich now has is that this chronometer was sold by the Government in 1985.