John Harrison (1693-1776) was an English clockmaker who is widely regarded as one of the most important horologists in history. He is best known for his development of the marine chronometer, a highly accurate timepiece that made it possible to determine a ship's longitude at sea.

Harrison was born in Foulby, Yorkshire, England, and began his career as a carpenter and clock repairman. In 1728, he was awarded a government prize of £20,000 (equivalent to several million pounds today) for his design of a marine chronometer that could accurately measure longitude at sea.

Over the course of his career, Harrison designed and built several more marine chronometers, each of which was more accurate and reliable than the last. His fourth and final chronometer, known as H4, was completed in 1759 and was tested on a voyage to Jamaica in 1761. The chronometer proved to be highly accurate, more...

6 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A contemporary single fusee skeleton clock in a glass case,…

Contemporary Single Fusee Skeleton Clock in Glass Case, Harrison Style

A contemporary single fusee skeleton clock in a glass case, modelled on a Harrison grasshopper escapement clock and housed in a brass framed glass case on an ebonised base, with key, 48.5 cm high, 33.5 cm wide, 22.5 cm deep

Regency mahogany wall clock by John Harrison of Liverpool, the…

Regency Mahogany Wall Clock by John Harrison of Liverpool

Regency mahogany wall clock by John Harrison of Liverpool, the circular enamel dial with Roman numerals

Rolled gold open face pocket watch, signed Robillard & Son,…

Robillard & Son Open Face Pocket Watch, c.1900

Rolled gold open face pocket watch, signed Robillard & Son, Ashburton NZ, supplied by Rotherhams. c.1900, ¾ plate English lever movement, marked W. Harrison, Rotherhams, London. 48 mm. White enamel Roman dial with sub seconds.

A silver fusee pocket watch, London 1854, signed John Harrison,…

1854 John Harrison Silver Fusee Pocket Watch

A silver fusee pocket watch, London 1854, signed John Harrison, London, no. 20267, patent lever movement, the dial with Roman numerals and sunk subs-seconds. With silver chain, medallion fob and key.

Hamburg American Clock Co (Germany) bedroom clock, with…

Sterling Silver Bedroom Clock by Hamburg American Clock Co

Hamburg American Clock Co (Germany) bedroom clock, with sterling silver front hallmarked Birmingham 1925 (Harrison & Hipwood), 7 cm high

An English mahogany cased chronometer No. 469 by Eiffe, 48…

Eiffe Chronometer No. 469 with Provenance

An English mahogany cased chronometer No. 469 by Eiffe, 48 Lombard Street city and south crescent, Bedford square, London, circa 1845, the silvered dial with Roman numerals, fusee movement with Harrison's maintaining power, Earnshaw style spring detent…