Athens State Library Offers Chronometer Display in Conjunction with Upcoming Lecture
 

Athens State University Professor of Economics, Bill Wilkes, has assembled a collection of chronometers currently on display at the University Library. The Library is located at the corner of Pryor Street and Elkton Road in Athens.

The display is in conjunction with the March 23rd lecture by noted author Dava Sobel and will be on view for approximately 2 months. Sobel’s novel Longitude described the development of chronometers that were used at sea as reliable instruments for navigation.
 

The chronometers are from Wilkes’ own collection and range from devices made from approximately 1805 through 1970. The countries of origin of the chronometers vary from Great Britain, United States, Switzerland, and Russia.

“I enjoy purchasing loose movements that have been separated from their original case and finding or constructing a suitable replacement case,” states Willkes. “Each chronometer has its own story and probably my most interesting one is an 8 day instrument made by George Margetts which was made circa 1805.” Wilkes purchased the parts for the Margetts chronometer after he discovered a repair person in Tennessee that had an original tub purchased in London a number of years ago. The movement fit perfectly into the tub and both collectors feel the tub might have originally housed a Margetts instrument. The dial was brass engraved which was probably a replacement since Margetts used porcelain dials rather than brass. “I was able to locate a person in Australia who was able to make a very fine replacement dial,” stated Wilkes.

The modern usage of the term "chronometer" relates to a watch – generally a wrist watch - that is very accurate. However, historically a chronometer was a timepiece that was controlled by a detent type of escapement. It was this form of escapement that made the chronometer accurate, or at least it varied with a constant rate. Chronometers are best known for marine use, however the makers also made chronometer watches which are probably the ultimate in quality watch making.

Author Dava Sobel will be speaking about her book, Longitudes, as well as other novels she has published at a lecture at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23 in the Ballroom of the Sandridge Student Center. The event and the chronometer display at the library are free and open to the public. Dava Sobel will be speaking courtesy of the Livingston Concert Lecture Series.

March 11, 2010