Antique Marine Chronometer - Hamilton - WWII in Nanaimo, British Columbia

This is a Hamilton Model 22 Navigation Chronometer used by the Canadian Navy during WWII. It was manufactured by the Hamilton Watch Co. in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and according to a fellow named Buster Beck at the Internet Horology Club #185 (in the USA) there were 313 of these made for the Canadian Navy. This unit was probable made in 1943 as the serial number is 248-1943. The markings C.H.S. 2 on the back of chronometer stands for "Canadian Hydrographic Service" which was the branch of the Canadian Navy responsible for timepieces. This unit keeps perfect time. This unit was used in conjunction with the smaller Model 3992B (deck watch) on board ship. The deck watch was taken on deck along with a sextant for navigation readings as regulations did not permit the ships chronometer to be moved. The chronometer is set inside an inner wooden box which is isolated from the outer wooden box to provide thermal and shock protection. It is gimbal mounted so as to remain perfectly horizontal in order to keep precise time. The inner box has some wear marks on each of the 4 sides.