Marine Chronometers for sale

I have several marine chronometers for sale from different eras, made to withstand use at sea while maintaining accuracy and dependability

Marine chronometers are navigational instruments that were a vital part of determining the longitudinal position of a ship at sea before the advent of modern global positioning systems
Their design derives from the ceaseless work of John Harrison in pursuing the ultimate goal of producing a reliable timekeeper capable of working at sea to determine the longitude of a ship, the latitude being easily calculated
Manufactured and adjusted to be as accurate as possible over a two-day or eight-day period, what is more important is the ability to perform consistently in extremes of temperature when, for instance, sailing from the equator towards the north pole.
Each chronometer would have a "rating", or deviation from true time, determined before a voyage, often by sending the chronometer to specialist firms in major ports, or back to the maker. A navigator would then add or subtract seconds in their calculations. Hence, it is not necessary for the timing to be exactly true, although in practice all would come close.

Welcome to www.pocketwatchdoctor.co.uk

repairs, servicing and commission sales by mail order

Workshop visits available by appointment only, please

The work of pocketwatchdoctor

This website showcases the pocket watch repair and restoration work I do. I am also involved in sales of pocket watches once they have passed through my workshop, or are being sold on commission for customers. www.pocketwatchdoctor.co.uk is UK based in the Yorkshire Dales, serving customers worldwide via insured international post.

Assessments for repair and service

I will give assessments of a watch’s condition and cost of repair and servicing if you send email images and descriptions of any faults to mmortonlee@gmail.com. If you are happy with the estimate, send the watch to me by Royal Mail Special Delivery. Due to increased demand and time constraints I can no longer offer free appraisals and valuations, but if a watch remains with me after assessment for work to be done there will be no charge for this service.

Pocket watches for sale

Watches for sale are listed on ebay under the username mortonlee123. My work is primarily repair, but I am occasionally asked to help sell a pocket watch - see the text box to the right. Please save me as a seller to avoid missing any unusual or interesting items. All my sales are covered by a 14 day no quibble money back refund, as an ebay business seller (subject to terms and conditions), and service work comes with a year's guarantee. Occasionally I also have watchmaking tools for sale.

Trade customers welcome

Priority is given.

Valuations

I am constantly in touch with auction and eBay prices, so can also give an assessment of value as a service to pocket watch owners. In many cases, the market value of a particular pocket watch is less than the sentimental value, but I have been able to restore many family heirlooms to a working condition to the delight of their owners. Valuations, and the history behind your watch, will take me time to research and time away from my primary function which is the repair and servicing of pocket watches. The Corona Virus has led to many more watches being discovered in attics and drawers, so I now find it necessary to make a charge if the enquiry is purely to establish the market value of a pocket watch. If I go on to help you sell it, or service it for you, the charge will not apply.

Promoting the wearing of pocket watches

Pocket watches are highly undervalued as magnificent engineering marvels and would have been significantly more expensive to buy when new. We should celebrate them as we would a vintage car, for instance. Wearing one (ladies included) is a bold statement and always attracts interest. They set off a suit and waistcoat just perfectly, where fumbling in your pocket for an over-sized mobile phone to read the time just isn’t the same!

Selling your pocket watch with the help of pocketwatchdoctor

Please contact me at mmortonlee@gmail.com with a full description including images of any pocket watch you intend to sell, whatever its condition. I will reply with a market valuation and appraisal based on years of monitoring prices at auction, and an offer to help you sell if appropriate. My commission rate is 20% of the final sale price, or £30, whichever is the greater. For that you get a professional listing with photos on ebay, together with any information to maximise the auction appeal to any potential buyer.There is no obligation to deal with me, and you may find out some interesting history about your watch.