The majority of the watches had been made for exhibition purposes and specially prepared to that end; and some had been previously rated at observatories before sending.
Notably, however, to the contrary of the above, the exhibit of the American Watch Company was the ordinary and regular product of the factory, such as is finished every day.
Notwithstanding the possibility that these exhibits might have been better prepared for observatory time tests, some of the exhibits, as will be seen by the rating, demonstrate the wonderful advances made in the application of horological sciences to the manufacture of watches, and that their rating is being made equal to that of the best marine chronometers.
The following is the report of Professor Russell, and the accompanying diagram (see next page) will readily give an idea of the comparative performance of the different watches.
"Sydney Observatory, 26th February, 1880.
"Gregory P. Harte, Esq.,
"Chairman of the Judges in Horology.
"SIR: I have the honor to report that, in response to your circular, inviting exhibitors of watches each to send three watches to the Observatory to be tested, I received on Monday, February 16th:
"Three watches, Nos. 611, 669, 237, from Mr. Dolman, agent for Mr. Tribandeau, Besançon.
"Three watches, Nos. 987271, 670068, 1221336, from Mr. Manson, agent for Waltham Watch Company.