Chronometer maker
John Arnold
Also recorded as: Arnold, John · John Arnold and Son · Arnold & Dent
Made the marine chronometer a practical, repeatable product and popularised the word 'chronometer'.
Born in Bodmin, Arnold presented a tiny repeating watch to George III in 1764. He developed detent escapements, the helical balance spring and compensation balances, and produced chronometers in numbers. His pocket chronometer No. 36 was tested at Greenwich in 1779, and the published results popularised the term 'chronometer'. His son John Roger Arnold continued the firm, later in partnership with Edward John Dent.
- Country
- England
- City / centre
- London
- Life / active
- 1736–1799
- Status
- Historical individual
- Key people
- John Arnold; John Roger Arnold (1769–1843)
Innovations & specialities
- Helical balance spring
- Pivoted and spring detent escapements
- Compensation balances
- Series production of chronometers
Works by John Arnold in the catalogue
Open in the catalogue →
Instruments · 1771
Marine chronometer by Arnold, John, England, 1771
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1771-1800
Two-day marine chronometer by John Arnold and Son (No 63), with inner and outer cases
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1775
Marine chronometer by Arnold, John, England, 1775
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1783
Marine chronometer by John Arnold, United Kingdom, 1783
German Clock Museum
Instruments · hallmarked 1788
Chronometer watch in silver case by John Arnold and Son, London, no.360/661, case. Hall marked 1788
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · circa 1800
Chronometer by John Arnold and Son; Prest, Thomas, circa 1800
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1795
Marine chronometer by John Arnold & Son, England, 1795 (Science Museum Group L2015-3486)
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1795
Marine chronometer by John Arnold & Son, England, 1795 (Science Museum Group L2015-3487)
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1802
Marine chronometer by Arnold, John, England, 1802
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1850-1872
Chronometer watch in silver case by John Arnold and Son, London, no.454/755. Hall marked 1872
Science Museum Group, London
Linked through the Atlas maker authority list, which reconciles the spellings used by different institutions. Attributions are as stated by each holding institution or auction house.
