Export bar placed on pocket chronometer from Charles Darwin voyage
Source: gov.uk (2025-07-11)

A temporary export bar has been placed on a pocket chronometer present on the second voyage of HMS Beagle, well-known for carrying Charles Darwin

- The pocket chronometer is valued at £200,000
- The export bar will allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the chronometer for the nation – ensuring it can continue to inspire further research and love of learning for future generations
An export bar has been placed on a pocket chronometer in an effort to protect a key piece of the nation’s history and ensure Charles Darwin’s legacy can continue to inspire for generations to come.

The chronometer is known to have travelled on the second voyage of HMS Beagle, from 1831 to 1836, which is a significant part of our history as the voyage is well known for carrying Charles Darwin. This expedition played a role in the development of Darwin’s evolutionary theory, providing him with observations and collections that led to his groundbreaking ideas on evolution by natural selection.

Chronometers are highly accurate timepieces, designed for marine navigation, that measure time with great precision, especially for determining longitude at sea.

This chronometer played a significant role on HMS Beagle’s important second voyage, as the observation chronometer, helping to map the coast of South America. The success of the voyage strengthened Britain’s leading position in navigation, thanks to the use of chronometres, which - when they returned to Britain five years later - had only lost 33 seconds. The voyage also later helped Greenwich become internationally accepted as the Prime Meridian in the 19th century.

Arts Minister, Sir Chris Bryant said:

Charles Darwin is one of the most well-known figures in our history and has inspired many generations. This chronometer played a part in helping his research on evolution and strengthening Britain’s leading position in navigation.

I hope this chronometer can be saved for the nation so we can continue to learn about the fascinating voyage, the legacy of Darwin and improve our knowledge on the use of chronometers for marine navigation.

Committee Member, Tim Pestell said:

HMS Beagle’s second voyage of 1831-36 is most popularly associated with Charles Darwin’s ground-breaking research on evolution. Less well known is that this scientific mission was used by the Royal Navy to test various scientific instruments then at the cutting edge of technology. The chronometer that is the subject of this export bar is central to this story. Made in 1830, it was used on the Beagle in the key role of observation chronometer, helping map the coast of South America and being taken ashore on the Galapagos Islands. Beagle’s success, and the triumph of its chronometers, was shown when it returned to Britain after five years, losing only 33 seconds in time. Having performed a central role in Beagle’s second expedition, it would be a tragedy for this chronometer, named ‘K’ on board, to be lost to the nation. I hope that the placing of an export bar will allow this wonderful timepiece to be acquired by a museum, where its remarkable story, and its place in us understanding our world, can be told to the public.

The Minister’s decision follows the advice of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest (https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/supporting-arts-museums-and-libraries/supporting-collections-and-cultural-property/reviewing-committee-0) (RCEWA).

The Committee made its recommendation on the basis that the chronometer met the first Waverley criterion for its outstanding connection with our history and national life.

The decision on the export licence application for the chronometer will be deferred for a period ending on 10 October 2025 inclusive. At the end of the first deferral period owners will have a consideration period of 15 Business Days to consider any offer(s) to purchase the chronometer at the recommended price of £200,000 (plus VAT of £40,000). The second deferral period will commence following the signing of an Option Agreement and will last for three months.

Notes to editors
- Organisations or individuals interested in purchasing the panel should contact the RCEWA on xx-xxxx-xxxx or xxx@xxx.xx.
- Details of the item are as follows: pocket chronometer in a silver case made by Parkinson & Frodsham, Change Alley, London, 1830. This partnership was active between 1801-1947. Materials include: silver (case); enamel (dial); brass (movement plate & wheels); steel (various components including arbors & balance spring); gold (hands, gilding); diamond (end-stone) and mahogany (box case). The diameter of the case 55 mm.
- Provenance: 1831 – 1906 Admiralty, London, in sea service. 1906 Taken in exchange from the Admiralty by E.Dent & Co. 4 Royal Exchange & 61 Strand, London By 2010 Watch trade, London, UK 2011 Private Collection, UK, when re-identified. 2023 Martyn Downer Works of Art Ltd. Cambridge.
- The Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest is an independent body, serviced by Arts Council England (ACE), which advises the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on whether a cultural object, intended for export, is of national importance under specified criteria.