Important Collectors Wristwatches Po...
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 21, 1995
LOT 80
John Arnold No. 6/307, with London hallmarks for 1782. Extremely rare, silver early pocket chronometer.
CHF 14,000 - 16,000
C. Double body, "consular", polished. D. White enamel with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds ( restored). Blued steel "spade" hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with maintaining power, typical Arnold spring detent escapement with the detent sunk in the back plate, " OZ" compensated balance, diamond endstone, free sprung blued isochronous steel helical balance spring with patented incurved ends. Signed on the back plate. In good condition. Diam. 53 mm.
Notes
Note: Built in 1782, this chronometer appears to be
one of the very first ever made with a spring detent
escapement patented by John Arnold the saine year
of his famous "OZ" balance with the first attempt of
helical spring with terminal curves. It can be
considered as a major testimony of early British
chronometry.