Charles Frodsham "Split Seconds Chronograph Tourbillon"

Technical characteristics

Type

Split-seconds chronograph tourbillon pocket watch

Diameter

56mm

Materials

Silver & 18k pink gold

Case number

09256

Place recorded

United Kingdom

Movement number

09256

Movement supplier

Nicole Nielsen & Co.

Observatory rating

Class A at Kew observatory trial in 1911

Maker / attribution

Charles Frodsham

Design

Visible features

• Silvered textured dial with black Roman hour numerals and perimeter minute track. • Dual subsidiary dials positioned horizontally at 3 and 9 o'clock with blued hands. • Central blued hour and minute hands accompanied by a gilt sweep chronograph hand and a blued split-seconds hand. • Dial inscribed below 12 o'clock: 'CHAS FRODSHAM 09256 AD Fmsz'. • Two-tone metal case construction with gilt bow, crown, bezel, and split-seconds pusher at approximately 9 o'clock.

Dial Configuration and Display

The timepiece features a textured silvered dial bordered by a perimeter minute track and marked with black Roman numerals for the hours. Two subsidiary registers are positioned horizontally at 3 and 9 o'clock, each fitted with blued hands. Central blued hands indicate hours and minutes, accompanied by a gilt sweep chronograph hand and a blued split-seconds hand. Located below the 12 o'clock position is the inscription 'CHAS FRODSHAM 09256 AD Fmsz'.

Case Construction and Exterior Details

The pocket watch is housed in an open-face two-tone case measuring 56 mm in diameter, constructed from a combination of silver and 18k pink gold. Direct observation reveals a silvered body contrasted by a gilt or pink-gold bezel, winding crown, bow, and an auxiliary pusher situated along the case band at approximately the 9 o'clock position. According to the auction catalog, the case interior bears serial number 09256, matching the movement, and is further stamped with the maker's mark 'HMF', referencing Harrison Mill Frodsham (spelled Harrison Mills Frodsham in the catalog entry).

Movement Architecture and Documentation

While internal components are not visible in the provided photograph, the catalog describes a manual-wind, jeweled three-quarter plate movement featuring a one-minute tourbillon paired with a split-seconds chronograph mechanism. The movement is reported to bear engraved inscriptions referencing '115 New Bond Street, Late of 84 Strand' alongside the coded signature 'AD Fmsz'. The lot documentation includes an accompanying fitted box and a Charles Frodsham & Co. certificate indicating production in 1909, with the movement supplied by Nicole Nielsen & Co. at a stated manufacturing cost of £85. A duplicate National Physical Laboratory document confirms the chronometer obtained a Class A Certificate at the 1911 Kew Observatory trial, scoring 79.7 marks.

Identification

Serial number

09256

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.