Thematic Auction in Geneva:The Evolut...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Nov 16, 2002

LOT 321

Charles Frodsham, AD. Fmsz, By Ap-pointment to the Queen, late of 84 Strand, 115 New Bond St., London, No. 08858, hallmarked 1900-01.Very fine 18K gold keyless hunting-cased minute-repeating watch.

CHF 13,500 - 16,500

EUR 9,000 - 11,000

Sold: CHF 13,800

C. Four-body, front cover with coat-of-arms and motto "Dum Spiro Spero" (While I breathe I Hope), engraved initials on the back, gold hinged cuvette, swiveling anti-theft pendant. D. Off-white, by Willis, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary sunk seconds. M. 42 mm. (19'''), 3/4-plate, frosted gilt, fusee and chain, 31 jewels, lateral counterpoised lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with gold temperature screws and gold quarter nuts, diamond endstone, blued stel double overcoiled Breguet balance spring, double roller, repeating on gongs through activating slide in the band.Signed on dial and movement, case punched with Harrison Mill Frodsham mark, dial signed by Willis.Diam. 51 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2 - 01

Notes

This is the highest quality repeater produced by English watch-makers, with 31 jewels, a superbly adjusted escapement and double overcoil. It is interesting to note that the watch comes from the same series as the Frodsham tourbillons with additional complications that were destined for the Kew Observatory Timing Contests bet-ween 1899 and 1904.