Antique Marine Chronometers
History: The quest to determine a ships longitude in the 18th century led to the development of the marine chronometer. John Harrison, a lone 18th century clockmaker created the first clock (chronometer) that could be used to accurately determine the time onboard ship and in turn the longitude of a ship at sea - an essential development in navigation. Without it, ships couldn't navigate accurately out of sight from land and journeys were often longer and more prone to maritime disasters and shipwrecks. These shipwrecks led to the UK government in 1714 to launch a huge financial prize for the first person to solve the problem of longitude at sea - described at the time as the greatest scientific challenge of the century. Other European countries such as France, Holland and Spain also offered huge prizes but it was John Harrison who perfected it, with a lifetimes work over 4 decades to solve the problem. This undoubtedly contributed to Britain becoming such an important force at sea and
![Hamilton Watch Company Naval Chronometer WWII](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/sovereignantiques/Hamilton_Watch_Company_Naval_Chronometer_WWII_as1076a964s.jpg)
![D. McGregor &Co Marine Chronometer John Poole](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/tyneantiques/D_McGregor_Co_marine_chronometer__John_Poole_as915a121s.jpg)
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![Waltham Chronometer Cased Working Clock](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/sovereignantiques/Waltham_Chronometer_cased_working_clock_as1076a874s.jpg)
![Mcgregor & Co, 8-day Marine Chronometer](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/tyneantiques/MCGREGOR__CO_8DAY_MARINE_CHRON_as915a098s.jpg)
![William Gerrard, Two Day Marine Chronometer No. 917](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/theclockgallery/Two_Day_Marine_Chronometer__Wi_as1192a006s.jpg)
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![Fusee Marine Chronometer Sir John Bennett London](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/tyneantiques/Fusee_Marine_Chronometer_Sir_J_as915a024s.jpg)
![56 Hour Chronometer](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/thelondonclockmaker/56_Hour_Chronometer_as882a002s.jpg)
![Marine Chronometer By Dobbie McInnes](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/oldetimeantiqueclocks/Marine_Chronometer_by_Dobbie_M_as729a040s.jpg)
![Marine Chronometer By John Poole, London](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/oldetimeantiqueclocks/Marine_Chronometer_by_John_Poo_as729a005s.jpg)
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![WW 2 Period Royal Navy Chronometer Watch](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/kemberyclocks/WW_2_Period_Royal_Navy_Chronom_as579a2176s.jpg)
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![Kelvin, White & Hutton Marine Chronometer](http://images.antiquesatlas.com/dealer-stock-images/kemberyclocks/Kelvin_White__Hutton_Marine_Ch_as579a2047s-2.jpg)
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