Naval History and Heritage Command
Deck Chronometer by Longines Circa 1911
Title: Chronometer, Deck, Longines
Accession #: NHHC 2011-173-135
Circa: 1911
Size: 3.375" diameter
Medium: Wood, Metal, Glass, Paper
Location: Headquarters Artifact Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command
One brass deck chronometer. It has a white face with the hour and minute marks in black around the circumference of the face. Below the 12 is the name LONGINES above a small gauge with numbers 0 to 50. The word CHRONOMETER is printed on the face at the pivot point of the minute and hour hands. Below this is a circular second gauge. The chronometer is set into a mahogany box with serial number 2517960.
The watch manufacturer factory Longines was founded in 1867. The company produced their first certified chronometer in 1888 using a 21 jewel mechanism, like the one found in this chronometer.
Chronometers are highly-accurate clocks used aboard ships for timekeeping. Used in conjunction with a sextant, the chronometer helps to determine the position of the ship according to a nautical chart.
