18,750 CHF
CHARLES FRODSHAM PRECISION 8-DAY MANTEL CHRONOMETER WITH DETENT ESCAPEMENT Chas. Frodsham & Co., Clockmakers to the Queen, 84, Strand, London, No. 1948. Made circa 1860. Very fine and extremely rare, rosewood, 8-day going precision mantel chronometer with detent escapement and power-reserve indication. Accompanied by the original fitted mahogany traveling box. Rectangular, rosewood, carved cornice, glazed top for viewing the escapement, arch-top gilt-brass rimmed glazed side panels, front door with silvered fi let, rosewood back door with compartment for balance packing material, giltbrass bun feet. Silvered with champlevé radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds at 12, power-reserve indication below. Blued steel spade hands. Rectangular gilt-brass, spotted decoration, 4 ring-turned pillars, fusee and chain for going train, jeweled contrate wheel pivots, Earnshaw’s spring detent escapement on a matte gilt platform, cut bimetallic compensation balance with mean time and temperature adjustment screws, free-sprung blued steel helical balance spring, diamond endstone. Dial signed. Dim. 20.5 x 13.2 x 11.8 cm. Notes This clock, with Earnshaw’s footed spring detent escapement, was no doubt intended for precision timing. It is highly unusual to fi nd such a precision mechanism in a fi ne domestic-type case. The movement may have been supplied by Victor Kullberg; a note included with the lot states “Clock has been adjusted to meet time at temperatures from 4
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2012-03-11
