Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...
Geneva, Mar 29, 2009
LOT 261
Two-Day Marine Chronometer Parkinson & Frodsham, Change Alley, London, No. 3325. Made circa 1860. Fine, small, mahogany-cased two-day marine chronometer with power reserve indication.
CHF 5,000 - 7,000
USD 4,300 - 6,000 / EUR 3,400 - 4,700
C. Three-tier brass-bound mahogany box with external flush brass handles the glazed upper section with hinged lid, bone signature plaque and later brass number plaque. Brass bowl and gimbaled suspension, screwed-down glazed bezel. D. Silvered with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track with Arabic fiveminute numerals, subsidiary seconds and up-and-down scales. Gold pear hands. M. 62 mm., brass, full plate, relieved for the barrel, with ringed cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain with maintaining power, Earnshaw type spring detent escapement, two armed bimetallic compensation ?Z? balance with cylindrical weights and meantime adjustment screws, diamond endstone, free sprung blued steel helical balance spring. Dial and box signed. Dial diam. 83 mm. Box dim. 16 x 16 x 17 cm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: A |
Good |
Case: 3-19 |
Good Dent(s) |
Movement: 4-19* |
Fair Dent(s) Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 4-8-01 |
Fair Slightly scratched HANDS Original |
Notes
William Parkinson (d. ca. 1842), free of the Clockmakers' Company in 1802, had entered into partnership with William James Frodsham (1779-1850) in 1801. Parkinson & Frodsham, at 4 Change Alley, specialized in pocket and marine chronometers. Between 1835 and 1869 at least 139 chronometers were sent to the U. S. Probably in 1847 Frodsham left the business to his sons George and William (William Parkinson had died in 1844). Around 1860 George sold his share of the business to William. Upon George's death in 1873, his son George William succeeded him. He showed watches and chronometers at international and national exhibitions and diversified the firm's production. In 1912, after Frodsham's death, his widow sold the firm to its foreman, William Shrubshall Harris. The firm continued until 1947, though its premises were destroyed by bombing in July 1944. Literature: Vaudrey Mercer, "The Frodshams, the Story of a Family of Chronometer Makers", London, 1981, chapters IV & VII.