The Marine Chronometer: Its History and Development Hardcover – Big Book, 30 June 2010

The book is quite good informatively and pictorially.

The author presents an excellent synthesis of the available literature, providing a concise, yet thorough overview of the problem of how to find longitude at sea and its solution by developing and using accurate timekeepers. All the major personalities involved are discussed - John Harrison - the first to design and make a practical sea clock and his hard-fought `battles' with The Board of Longitude - subsequent important developments in England and France, such as by Arnold and Earnshaw - and their rivalries - and to the `finished' design that emerged in the nineteenth century.Technical descriptions are carefully explained and carried through to make it easy to understand, which provides a good basis for further reading, and a thorough description, with diagrams, is provided to explain the workings of a chronometer. There is also a look at how the chronometer-making industry was organized in the UK and at some of the most important makers in Europe and the USA, and a section on chronometer maintenance. The book is profusely illustrated with photographs and drawings - and has a few nuggets of rare information - such as the necessity of smuggling pinion jewels out of France to Spain during World War II, which were then sent to the U.K. for use in the all-important making of chronometers that were so necessary for the war effort.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Pictures and text were very informative and entertaining. Recommended to those who love watches. Pick it up and it's to hard top put down

A very good review....a little too essential,but exaustive in order to present history,development and technical issues of this fascinating item.

A great book for the introduction to sea navigation and the history of time instruments which assisted in it. Very well researched and written by a truly qualified author on the subject. Best choice for new to the subject students and excellent refresher for those who have some experience in the area.