NICOLE NIELSEN & Co, for STANLEY, London
Rare one-hundredth of a seconds ‘time of flight’ chronograph, in original box, circa 1900.
£495.00
Large and heavy nickel chromed case with snap-on front bezel and back cover with integrated winder, only the chronograph work operated by the pendant. Specially designed half plate movement with flat cock. Cylinder escapement with steel escape. Small plain balance operating with a stiffer than normal balance-spring with overcoil. Signed silvered dial showing up to 60 seconds with 1/100ths of a second indicator at 12, blued-steel hands. 65 mm diameter. Together with its original retailers silk lined leather covered box.
William Ford Stanley & Co, Ltd, a firm started in 1854 and which is primarily known for its precision drawing and mathematical instruments. Stanley, an engineer, inventor and respected member of many professional bodies, was also a noted philanthropist helping many young students in south London. He died in 1909.
Adolphe Nicole, together with the Danish born watchmaker Emil Nielsen, operating as Nicole Nielsen & Co from 1876. They were the foremost London watchmakers of the second half of the 19th century, supplying many of the finest watches to retailers such as Frodsham, Dent, Smith & Son, etc. See my site Glossary for more information about this most important and still vastly underrated London firm of watchmakers. See also my reprint of High-Class English Watches, Nicole Nielsen’s trade catalogue of circa 1900 which shows this chronograph, type 53.
A good example of an unusual fast-beating timer, possibly the fastest ever design to use Graham’s cylinder escapement. Working but not cleaned by me, and priced accordingly, and needing a service and fresh oil to be reliable.
Item available
Description
Large and heavy nickel chromed case with snap-on front bezel and back cover with integrated winder, only the chronograph work operated by the pendant. Specially designed half plate movement with flat cock. Cylinder escapement with steel escape. Small plain balance operating with a stiffer than normal balance-spring with overcoil. Signed silvered dial showing up to 60 seconds with 1/100ths of a second indicator at 12, blued-steel hands. 65 mm diameter. Together with its original retailers silk lined leather covered box.
William Ford Stanley & Co, Ltd, a firm started in 1854 and which is primarily known for its precision drawing and mathematical instruments. Stanley, an engineer, inventor and respected member of many professional bodies, was also a noted philanthropist helping many young students in south London. He died in 1909.
Adolphe Nicole, together with the Danish born watchmaker Emil Nielsen, operating as Nicole Nielsen & Co from 1876. They were the foremost London watchmakers of the second half of the 19th century, supplying many of the finest watches to retailers such as Frodsham, Dent, Smith & Son, etc. See my site Glossary for more information about this most important and still vastly underrated London firm of watchmakers. See also my reprint of High-Class English Watches, Nicole Nielsen’s trade catalogue of circa 1900 which shows this chronograph, type 53.
A good example of an unusual fast-beating timer, possibly the fastest ever design to use Graham’s cylinder escapement. Working but not cleaned by me, and priced accordingly, and needing a service and fresh oil to be reliable.
