11,210 CHF
"Eight Day Marine Chronometer" Charles Frodsham, "By Appointment to the Queen", 84 Strand, London, No. 5023. Made circa 1860. Fine and rare, 8-day going mahogany marine chronometer with reverse fusee, power reserve indication and ratchet key. Two-tier (lid missing), brass-bound corners, external drop handles, glazed top, upper section with ivory signature plaque, gimbaled brass bowl with locking slide. Silvered with champlevé radial Roman numerals, outer minute track with Arabic five minute numerals, subsidiary seconds and power reserve indication, engraved with the Royal appointment and 1855 Exhibition gold medal of honor badges. Gold "spade" hands. Notes Charles Frodsham (1810-1871). Was the most celebrated of the Frodsham family, with its numerous watchmakers, and was a prominent maker of very high grade chronometers and watches. For the 1851 exhibition, they introduced a three-quarter plate caliber which they marked “AD.FMSZ”, which continued subsequently to be put on all their highest grade work. In 1868 he devised a form of electrical contact for taking signals for chronometers. The company he founded continued after his death. Reverse Fusee An arrangement whereby the conventional positioning of the barrel and fusee is reversed. Hence, the fusee chain crosses over between the barrel and fusee, near the center wheel pinion, reducing the friction on the arbor bearings.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2006-10-15
