Exclusive marine chronometer, Victor Kullberg, Maker to the Admiralty, London, no 4970, c. 1888.

Exclusive marine chronometer, Victor Kullberg, Maker to the Admiralty, London, no 4970, c. 1888.

Exclusive marine chronometer, Victor Kullberg, Maker to the Admiralty, London, no 4970, c. 1888. The silvered dial is signed Victor Kullberg, Maker to the Admiralty and numbered 4970. Solid gold hands, with Roman numerals., with Roman numerals. Movement with 56 hour power reserve, Up-and-Down hand, Thomas Earnshaw spring detent chronometer escapement, fusee and chain, second hand, compensation balance. Mahogany case in three parts with glass lid. Kullberg was renowned for his 'superb escapements' and made a reputation as one of England's best chronometer and watchmakers. His innovations in marine chronometers and other timepieces brought him gold and silver awards. HxWxD 19.5x18,5x18,5 cm. Price € 8.500,-- Literature: “Chronometer Makers of the World”, Tony Mercer. Literature: Paul M. Chamberlain "It's about Time", New York, page 435-437. Victor Kullberg was born at Visby on the island of Gothland, Sweden in 1824 and was apprenticed to a chronometer maker in 1840. On the completion of his training he was employed by Louis Urban Juergensen in Copenhagen, but was attracted to Britain at the time of the 1851 Exhibition. In Britain he remained as a maker of marine and pocket chronometers to which he brought several innovations. From 1860 onwards, thanks to the high quality of his machines and the efficiency of his new forms of auxiliary compensation, he consistently scored ratings in chronometrical competitions throughout the world and was awarded numerous gold and silver medals. With an international trade and reputation he was appointed chronometer maker to the Swedish and Norwegian navies in 1874 and, about a machine entered for the Greenwich trials of 1882, the Astronomer Royal reported that it was 'the finest chronometer they had ever had on trial'. Although unmarried, Kullberg had two sons.