Thomas Mercer - Only Watch Geneva Friday, November 6, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Thomas Mercer
    Model Name: Brittanica
    Material: Octagonal shape of the main body, base and dial bezel. Made in Aisi 316 stainless steel with fine white leather and extra-white crystals
    Calibre: Calibre TM0802, hand wound, mechanical spring drive with fusee and steel chain system, 17 jewels, 8 days power reserve, frequency 2Hz (14.400 vph), spring detent escapement, ovalising balance oscillator with cylindrical weights. Hour, minute, small second at 12 and power reserve indicator at 6, rhodium plated and ruthenium finish with screws in blued steel, skeletonised back plate. Dimensions: 183(h) x 150(w) x 90(d) mm
    Dimensions: 333(h) x 240(w) x 152(d) mm

  • Catalogue Essay

    Established in London in 1858, Thomas Mercer is a name forever synonymous with the marine chronometer, the greatest manufacturer in history.

    Appointed maker to the Admiralty, winner of several Greenwich and Kew Trials, among its most legendary chronometers are No 5229 - used in 1916 by Sir Ernest Shackleton to calculate longitude throughout his heroic open boat journey on the James Caird - as well as those that equipped the Royal Yacht Britannia.

    Today the company manufactures precision chronometers where the most sophisticated and modern design meets the attributes of Britishness and affinity with the sea to create individual timepieces that grace the interiors of the world’s most exclusive yachts and homes.

    In 2015 Thomas Mercer is proud to join the Only Watch initiative by donating the very first unit of the Brittanica, the new table chronometer created in collaboration with British furniture designer Jake Phipps. This cutting edge timekeeper features distinctive octagonal shapes that run through the case, the base, and the dial, via an aperture of which the brand’s signature spring detent escapement is visible.

    Reflecting a heritage when navigators’ only guides were the stars and the marine chronometer, the unique piece, exclusively created for this great purpose, displays a dial with a celestial map from Geneva’s point of view on the 7th of November 2015 at 5pm; the blue tone of the face combines with the refined white of the leather to represent the colours of Only Watch 2015

28

Lot offered with No Reserve

Fine and unique octagonal shaped table chronometer designed in collaboration with Jake Phipps. Mechanism featuring the marine chronometer escapement par excellence - the spring detent - that is visible through the dial. Complete with presentation box and certificate.

333(h) x 240(w) x 152(d) mm

Estimate
CHF75,000 - 105,000 

Sold for CHF50,000

Contact Specialist
Virginie Liatard-Roessli
+41 22 317 81 82

Only Watch

Geneva Auction 7 November 2015 3pm