Chas FRODSHAM ‘AD Fmsz’ 84 Strand, London. No 01341
A fine pocket chronometer by this most famous London firm, worthy of a better detent.
£3,495.00
Heavy engine-turned gold case hallmarked 1860, casemaker RR (Robert Rowlands). Keywound halfplate fusee movement, jewelled to the 3rd with cap jewels on the balance, lever, and escape. Earnshaw-type spring-detent escapement. Top quality compensation balance with 1/4 timing nuts, 8-turn helical balance-spring with Arnold’s terminal curves. Lovely signed enamel dial with state-of-wind indication at 12, blued-steel hands. 52 mm diameter and weighing 125 grams gross.
Charles Frodsham (1810-1871) the most famous of the Frodsham family of clock and watch makers, began to sign some of his best watches with AD Fmsz. This code stands for the date 1850 signifying, it is thought, his new caliper of watch designed in that year. It was watches like this, so well made and finished, that cemented the firms reputation for selling the best English work, especially into the American market.
NB: Though keyless watches were then starting to come in vogue (post the 1851 Great Exhibition), keywound watches continued to be seen in London work well into the 1880’s. This was not only because English buyers did not trust keyless work, but also because many I believe did not like the look of the larger, more obtrusive keyless pendant, often coupled with a bigger and heavier case. Keywound watch cases, such as this, with the dial showing almost no surrounding case, are I think amongst the best looking and easiest to wear English watches, and it is anyway a delight to wind a fine watch with a fine key.
The light engine-turning of the case and the bow showing hardly any wear, the dial also lovely but with the usual small hair crack into the seconds bit near 6. The main problem with this watch is the movement with its later detent. It works but is finished not nearly as well as would have been the original. Because of this the watch is priced well below what it would be worth with a properly finished detent, plus the heavy 18ct case also scraps at around £2,400 at today’s gold price. Not serviced nor timed by me, but working and running the full length of the chain.
Item available
Description
Heavy engine-turned gold case hallmarked 1860, casemaker RR (Robert Rowlands). Keywound halfplate fusee movement, jewelled to the 3rd with cap jewels on the balance, lever, and escape. Earnshaw-type spring-detent escapement. Top quality compensation balance with 1/4 timing nuts, 8-turn helical balance-spring with Arnold’s terminal curves. Lovely signed enamel dial with state-of-wind indication at 12, blued-steel hands. 52 mm diameter and weighing 125 grams gross.
Charles Frodsham (1810-1871) the most famous of the Frodsham family of clock and watch makers, began to sign some of his best watches with AD Fmsz. This code stands for the date 1850 signifying, it is thought, his new caliper of watch designed in that year. It was watches like this, so well made and finished, that cemented the firms reputation for selling the best English work, especially into the American market.
NB: Though keyless watches were then starting to come in vogue (post the 1851 Great Exhibition), keywound watches continued to be seen in London work well into the 1880’s. This was not only because English buyers did not trust keyless work, but also because many I believe did not like the look of the larger, more obtrusive keyless pendant, often coupled with a bigger and heavier case. Keywound watch cases, such as this, with the dial showing almost no surrounding case, are I think amongst the best looking and easiest to wear English watches, and it is anyway a delight to wind a fine watch with a fine key.
The light engine-turning of the case and the bow showing hardly any wear, the dial also lovely but with the usual small hair crack into the seconds bit near 6. The main problem with this watch is the movement with its later detent. It works but is finished not nearly as well as would have been the original. Because of this the watch is priced well below what it would be worth with a properly finished detent, plus the heavy 18ct case also scraps at around £2,400 at today’s gold price. Not serviced nor timed by me, but working and running the full length of the chain.
