H.G. Blair & Co. Cardiff & Barry No. 2155

Circa 1905

Sold

175mm. square box

A fine rosewood and brass-bound two-day marine chronometer. DIAL The 101mm. silvered dial is signed H.G. BLAIR & Co. Makers to the Admiralty CARDIFF 7 BARRY DOCKS within the Roman chapter ring with gold spade hands. The two subsidiary dials are for UP/DOWN calibrated 0-56 and seconds engraved 2155 in the centre, both subsidiary dials with blued steel hands. MOVEMENT The movement has closely spotted plates, reversed fusee and spring barrel, the Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement has a jewelled locking stone and cut bimetallic balance with circular heat compensation weights and blued steel helical balance spring. BOX The brass-bound box retains the original lid inset with a vacant cartouche, brass drop handles to the sides, the bone front plaque is engraved H.G. BLAIR & Co. MAKERS TO THE ADMIRALTY CARDIFF & BARRY. The inside of the centre section is pasted with Blair�s trade label; the brass bowl and fitting appear to retain their original lacquer finish, the bowl is punch-numbered 53633 Blair & Co. Blair & Co. was established by John Blair as Blair & Son in 1829. The firm remained in Princes St., Bristol until the owner saw potential for export trade in South Wales and set up in St. James�s St., Cardiff. H.G. Blair retired in 1926 during the General Strike, which paralysed shipping and the firm was sold to a consortium of local ship owners, in 1927 it was renamed Blairs Nautical Supplies Ltd. Miss Nellie Ramsay, who joined the firm as a typist in 1908, continued in the service of Blair�s for many years and eventually jointly owned the firm with her sister Mabel; they both retired in 1970.