The Art of American Horology Part ll,...

Roosevelt Hotel, Madison Avenue @ 45th Street, Dec 04, 2002

LOT 730

Creighton & Black, New York, No. 2398, circa 1850.Very fine and rare, palisander and gilt brass marine chronometer with 56-hour power reserve.

USD 1,800 - 2,300

Sold: USD 3,220

C. Three-body, with brass handles, all the edges protected by a heavy brass inlay, the glazed upper section with hinged lid. Brass bowl and gimballed suspension. D. Silvered with Roman numerals, outer minute ring, subsidiary seconds and up-and-down scale. Gold "Spade" hands. M. 80 mm, gilt brass full plate with column pillars secured by screws, 13 jewels, fusée with chain and maintaining power, Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement, two-arm Creighton-Bliss's patented cut bimetallic compensationbalance with wedged temperature adjustment weight and mean time adjustment nuts, freesprung blued steel helical balance spring with terminal curves.Dim. Bowl 104mm, box 19x19x19cm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3 - 19
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

This is a very rare American chronometer.The history of Frederick Creighton & Black starts with John Bliss, (1775-1857), one of the best American chronometer makers. At the young age of 16, Bliss was apprenticed to Benjamin Lord in Rutland, Vermont, where he continued working after finishing his apprenticeship. In 1814 he left the company, now named Lord & Goddard, and moved to New York. That same year, in the hopes of greater opportunities in the West, he moved to Ohio and entered into partnership with Francis Cleveland.In 1835 Bliss moved to New York, where he later partnered with Frederick Creighton in 1837. Together, they advertised as chronometer makers. On August 4, 1845 they were granted an interesting balance patent (No. 4135) that decreased the Middle Temperature Error.In 1853 Bliss and Creighton dissolved their partnership and Creighton formed a new one with Mr. Black. The new firm Frederick Creighton & Black continued making chronometers with the patented H-shaped balance (which resembles the shape of an integral balance but employed different materials), as seen in this example.