Charles Frodsham Marine Chronometer
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1850
Maker / issuer
Charles FrodshamAccording to the auction catalog, this marine chronometer by Charles Frodsham dates to circa 1850 and is housed in a brass-bound rosewood three-tier box with external drop handles.
The chronometer is mounted in a gimbaled brass bowl with a locking slide. It features a silvered dial with champlevé radial Roman numerals, an outer minute track, subsidiary seconds, and a power reserve indicator. The source describes the movement as a 56-hour manual-wind mechanism with a fusée and chain, Harrison's maintaining power, a spring-detent escapement, and a free-sprung helical balance spring.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Two-day marine chronometer
- Maker
- Charles Frodsham, UK
- Dimensions
- 155 x 155 mm
- Escapement
- Spring-detent escapement
- Case Number
- 1754
- Power Reserve
- 56 hour
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Maker / attribution
- Charles Frodsham
Design
- Visible features
- • Chronometer mounted in a brass gimbal ring inside an open wooden box with brass corner reinforcements. • Brass-bound wooden case fitted with a side carrying handle and an upper lid prop arm. • Lid interior displays an applied rectangular nameplate inscribed 'CHARLES FRODSHAM 7, PAVEMENT, FINSBURY LONDON.' • Silvered dial features radial Roman hour numerals, subsidiary dials, and blued steel hands.
- Dial and Visual Appointments
- The silvered dial includes champlevé radial Roman numerals and an outer minute track featuring Arabic five-minute numerals. The time is indicated by blued steel fleur-de-lys hands. The dial displays subsidiary seconds and a power reserve indicator. The source notes the dial is slightly oxidized and slightly scratched.
- Case Construction and Exterior
- The marine chronometer is housed in a three-tier rosewood and gilt brass case featuring brass-bound corners and external drop handles. The internal assembly includes a gimbaled brass bowl equipped with a locking slide mechanism. The case features an internal ivory signature plaque located in the upper section. The source reports that the glazed top section of the case is missing.
- Movement and Technical Specifications
- The movement is a manual-wind, 56-hour mechanism featuring a fusée and chain with Harrison's maintaining power. Components include a brass half-plate, ring-turned pillars with blued steel screws, and a barrel secured under a crescent-shaped bridge. Regulation is provided by a spring-detent escapement and a cut bimetallic compensation balance with peripheral temperature adjustment screws and mean time adjustment nuts. It further utilizes a two-armed subsidiary compensation device mounted on the balance pivot and a free-sprung helical balance spring with inner and outer terminal curves.
Identification
- Serial number
- 1754
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The auction catalog notes that the glazed top of the three-tier case is missing.
- Research required: Internal movement features including the fusée, spring-detent escapement, and balance assembly are not visible in the provided photograph.