Beschreibung:

A fine Victorian eight-day marine chronometer James McCabe, circa 1845 The substantial single fusee movement with Harrison's maintaining power and three-level subframe for the Earnshaw type spring detent escapement with bi-metallic balance, helical balance spring and faceted diamond end-stone, the polished backplate with spring set-up ratchet and signed James McCabe, Royal Exchange, London No.263 to backplate, the 4.25 inch circular silvered Roman numeral dial with subsidiary seconds dial, WIND/UP register and repeat signature to centre, with gold hands behind screw-down bezel with hinged bevel glass and set into a lacquered brass bowl with shuttered winding hole and repeat numbered to inside, now housed in an Oriental patinated bronze case formed as a drum with cockerel surmount, on cruciform spreading base entwined with a dragon, 42cm high overall. James McCabe moved from Belfast to London in 1775, becoming Honorary Freeman of The Clockmakers Company in 1781. He quickly established a reputation as a fine maker however his career was cut short when he unexpectedly died of 'mortification of the leg' in 1811. The business was continued by his sons until 1883. An eight-day chronometer (number 471) in a finely engraved gilt brass gimballed table case, which was thought to have been presented by Queen Victoria to the Maharaja of Kashmir, was sold by Christies in their sale of 'Magnificent Clocks' 15th September 2004 Lot 27.