A RARE MARINE MASTER CLOCK BY MAGNETA CO., ZURICH, CIRCA 1907 AND AS SUPPLIED TO THE WHITE STAR LINE 'OLYMPIC' CLASS LINERS INCLUDING TITANIC

the 2½in. silvered master dial signed and inscribed Made by / Swiss Magneta Zug / Switzerland, blued steel hands with setting and s/f key-operated controls underneath, mounted on substantial lacquered brass platform frame with 24-hour drive spring, 7in. silvered minute suspension dial with setting arbor, massive electro-magnet drive mechanism to slave dial system, mounted on heavy painted cast-iron frame contained within zinc chest with sealed bevelled glass top, the whole contained within an oak frame with brass carry handles -- 10½ x 26½ x 17½in. (27 x 67 x 44.5cm.); together with a slave clock with 7½in. painted dial signed Magneta Electric London contained in 10½in. brass bulkhead case attached to the master unit by 10ft of electrical wire.

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Capable of running twenty-five secondary or 'slave' units, this system was used mainly by the White Star Line but Cunard also deployed it aboard their 'Atlantic Greyhounds' Mauretania and Lusitania strongly suggesting that this rare survivor comes from the dispersal sales of either Mauretania or Olympic as none of their consorts survived. The White Star liners Olympic and Titanic used a pair of these designated 'Master-A' and 'Master-B', located behind the bridge and each of which operated twenty-four secondary dials grouped fore and aft either side of the third and fourth funnels, giving a total of forty-eight clocks used in both passenger and crew accommodation, including the bridge and engine room and from which all the vessels' official timings were logged. Because the impulse-driven movements advance the minute hand once each minute, the clock will record the same until the 59th second and only then advance the hand. This seems trivial in most contexts but becomes of interest when small anomalies occurred during the sinking of the Titanic indicating a small difference between the two Master Clocks. As the hands can only be advanced, to correct the shipboard time on a westbound crossing, the Officer of Watch would suspend the transmission mechanisms at 2 am for 47 minutes, on an eastbound crossing it was possible to simply move the hands forwards to the right time. There is no external power source, the massive springs and magnets contained in each damp-proof case generate the electrical impulse for independent timekeeping, each clock forwarding the electrical charge every minute. The secondary 'slave' clock included with this lot is of the same type as used for the White Star line vessels Titanic & Olympic.

Condition Report

Silvering a little mottled on dials, movement runs for about four hours at present and needs a clean.

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of this property. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Charles Miller Ltd is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE.