Instruments · Chronometer
Chronometer by Patek Philippe; Kelvin Hughes, England, 1965-1984
- Maker / attribution
- Patek Philippe; Kelvin Hughes (maker)
- Date
- 1965-1984
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- England
- Place
- London, Geneva, Geneva; London
- Object type
- Chronometer
- Dimensions
- overall: 101 mm x 200 mm x 186 mm, 2.11 kg
- Holding institution
- Science Museum Group, London
- Accession / object no.
- 1998-735
- Credit line
- W & F.C Bonham & Sons Ltd.
- Catalogue title (original)
- Crystal Controlled Marine Chronometer by Patek Philippe, 1965-1984
Record summary
Held and catalogued by Science Museum Group, London (object number 1998-735), this is a chronometer by Patek Philippe; Kelvin Hughes, made in London, Geneva, Geneva; London, England, dated 1965-1984. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Instruments collection. Recorded dimensions: overall: 101 mm x 200 mm x 186 mm, 2.11 kg. The record is illustrated with 1 photograph.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
The source record does not include a narrative description. The structured fields above are reproduced from it.
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Electronic timing replaced mechanical instruments in sport, industry and navigation.
Read the period in the timelineMore instruments from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Related records
Instruments · 1959 (designed); 2001(made)
Sundial by Moss, Tony; Schmoyer, R. L.; Lindisfarne sundials, England, 1959 (designed); 2001(made)
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1970-1989 (estimated)
Stopwatch / timer by British Watch Timers Ltd., England, 1970-1989 (estimated)
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1988
Sun-Glass sundial. An equinoctial dial with a translucent plate and a gnomon in the form of a cylindrical lens
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1960-1979
Stopwatch / timer by Omega, 1960-1979
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1960-1979
Stopwatch / timer by Omega, Switzerland, 1960-1979
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1960-1979
Stopwatch by Omega, Swiss made, single-button type reading 0 - 60 seconds in fifths and 0 - 5 minutes in minutes on subsidiary dial, 1960-79.
Science Museum Group, London
Instruments · 1970
Sundial, Germany, 1970
German Clock Museum
Instruments · 1971
Stop-watch reading to 1/10th of a second, with pin pallet lever escapement and plastics case (see note). Made by Smiths Industries in Great Britain, 1971
Science Museum Group, London