Which accuracy risk increased for 18th-century open-balance escapement chronometers during long sea voyages near the equator?

💡 Explanation

When ambient temperature increased, thermal expansion of the metals in the balance wheel and hairspring changed their dimensions, altering the period of oscillation and therefore timekeeping. Therefore thermal expansion is the main risk, rather than corrosion, magnetism, or abrasion, which although present were lesser in magnitude at that scale.

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