Who is credited with the invention of the marine chronometer?

The invention of the marine chronometer is primarily credited to John Harrison, who is not listed in the options provided but is crucial in understanding the development of timekeeping technologies for navigation at sea. Among the options given, John Arnold is known for significant advancements in watchmaking and is often associated with improvements to pocket watches and the concept of precision timing, yet he is not the inventor of the marine chronometer itself.

The marine chronometer was essential for determining longitude at sea, as it allowed sailors to reference the time in a known location with the local time at their current location. John Harrison created the first practical marine chronometer in the 18th century. However, if the focus is on who contributed to the evolution of precision timepieces and their impact on navigation, John Arnold helped enhance their accuracy and reliability.

Ferdinand Berthoud also made notable contributions to horology, particularly in the development of marine timekeeping, but he did not invent the marine chronometer. Abraham-Louis Breguet is celebrated for various innovations in watchmaking, including the development of the tourbillon and the invention of the first wristwatch, but similar to others mentioned, he is not linked directly to the original invention of the marine chronometer.

Therefore, while