A marine chronometer is a precise timekeeping instrument that was historically essential for navigation at sea. It allows sailors to determine their longitude by comparing the local time (determined by the position of the sun) with the time at a known location (usually measured against Greenwich Mean Time or GMT). The chronometer operates based on a highly accurate movement, usually a spring-driven mechanism, which enables it to maintain consistent timekeeping regardless of the conditions at sea—such as motion, temperature changes, or humidity.
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