The Art of American Horology & Colle...

New York, Nov 28, 2001

LOT 6

Charles Frodsham, Ad. FMSZ, No. 03615 and J.E. Dent, Watchmaker to the Queen, No. 23140, made for the American market, hallmarked 1878.Fine and unusual, 18K gold, keyless, early split-seconds chronograph watch in original fitted box.

USD 2,500 - 3,000

C. three-body, "bassine", back cover engraved with the American eagle, perched on two crossed American flags, each of which features thirteen stars representative of the 13 founding states, as well as with the motto E Pluribus Unum (Out of Many, One), bezels engraved in repeated pattern, stop/go bolt on band. D. white enamel, eccentric Roman numerals with outer minute/seconds ring, blued steel, "Spade" hands. M. 41.6 mm, 3/4 plate, gilt brass, lateral English type lever escapement with lift on te pallets, cut-bimetallic compensation balance, flat balance spring, fully jeweled, escapement with endstones, split-seconds mechanism mounted under the dial, the split returning lever of gold, Nicole keyless work.Signed on the dial Charles Frodsham 03615 AD. Fmsz, on the movement and on the box E.J. Dent , watchmaker to the Queen, Patent, No. 23140, pillar plate stamped 3361.Diam. 47 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-13

Good

Slightly damaged

Notes

This is an excellent example of an English watch made especially for the American market. In addition to being an interesting example of "Americana", the watch is noteworthy from a horological viewpoint in that it features a curious combination of Dent's and Frodsham's signatures, two watchmakers who were not partners. It appears that Dent ordered the ebauche from Nicole Nielsen, and that it was subsequently bought or finished by Frodsham in 1878. At the time, Nielson's invention of the heart-pice (1862), allowing the chronograph to return-to-zero, was still relatively new. In this particular case, the heart piece employs a split-seconds mechanism, making the watch rather advanced for its time. While still in partnership with Arnold, Frodsham employed a split-seconds mechanism with a duration of less than a minute that was controlled by a spring similar to a balance spring. The one found in this watch is one of the earliest types that can later be found in most of the complicated Swisspieces.