English 18K gold open faced lever chronometer Circa 1903

Gold chronometer by Frodsham
–
A fine English 18 carat gold open faced lever pocket chronometer, circa 1903. Full plate movement, chain and fusee, a lever escapement, bimetallic chronometer balance with gold screws and free swinging blued cylindrical balance spring. White enamel dial with Roman hours, an outer minute track, Arabic five minute numerals, sunk subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and Fleur-de-Lys hands. The plain case with an engine turned band. Movement signed and numbered.
–
Diameter: 55 mm
–
Weight: 153 g
–
Signed: Frodsham Gracechurch Street London
–
Charles Frodsham a distinguished horologist was born on April 15^th, 1810 and died on January 11^th, 1871. Soon after marrying Elizabeth Mill (1813-1879), he founded his own business at 7 Finsbury Pavement, London. He rapidly established himself as a leading London chronometer maker. With the death of another major chronometer maker, John Roger Arnold (son of the eminent John Arnold), Charles acquired the Arnold business in 1843, moving his family and business address to 84 Strand, London. Trading as Arnold & Frodsham till 1858 when the firm Charles Frodsham was officially established.

Through his many publications and timepieces, Frodsham dedicated himself to the exploration and improvement of timekeeping in its many forms, achieving acclaim for his work from chronometers to barometers. The Frodsham balance, which was designed for phenomenal accuracy, can be found in coach clocks and some mantel clocks dating to as early as 1851.

Frodsham was a founding member, and later Vice President, of the British Horological Institute and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers of which he became free in 1845 and in which he served as Master in 1855 and 1862. On the death of Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy (1780–1854), Frodsham purchased the goodwill of the Vulliamy business and on the recommendation of Airy succeeded Vulliamy as ‘Superintendent and Keeper of Her Majesty’s Clocks at Buckingham Palace’, cementing the firm’s position as leading international clockmakers. In 1855 Frodsham won the Gold Medal of Honour at the Paris Exhibition. In 1862 he was awarded the Medal of Honour for his service as a juror at the Great International Exhibition in South Kensington. He continued to achieve recognition at exhibitions from Russia to Paris.

Charles Frodsham excelled at his art until he died of liver disease at the age of 60. Upon Charles’s death, his son, Harrison Mill Frodsham (1849–1922), took charge of the firm and incorporated it in 1893 as Charles Frodsham & Co Ltd. He proved to be an able horologist and businessman and the firm continued to flourish. It continues today specializing in fine precision timepieces.