English marine chronometer with power reserve Circa 1860

Mahogany cased two day marine chronometer by Parkinson & Frodsham
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A fine, small English mahogany cased two day marine chronometer with power reserve indication, circa 1860. Brass full plate movement, relieved for the barrel, with ringed cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain with maintaining power, Earnshaw type spring detent escapement, two armed bimetallic compensation Z balance with cylindrical weights and meantime adjustment screws, diamond endstone, freesprung blued steel helical balance spring. Silvered dial with Roman numerals, outer minute track with Arabic five minute numerals, subsidiary seconds and up-and-down scales and original gold pear hands. Three tier brass bound mahogany box with external flush brass handles the glazed upper section with hinged lid, bone signature plaque and later brass number plaque. Brass bowl and gimbaled suspension, screwed down glazed bezel. Dial and box signed.
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Diameter dial: 83 mm
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Dimensions box: 16 x 16 x 17 cm
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Signed: Parkinson & Frodsham Change Alley London
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Parkinson & Frodsham. William Parkinson (died circa 1842), free of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1802, had entered into partnership with William James Frodsham (1779-1850) in 1801. Parkinson & Frodsham, at 4 Change Alley, specialized in pocket and marine chronometers. Between 1835 and 1869 at least 139 chronometers were sent to the U. S. Probably in 1847 Frodsham left the business to his sons George and William (William Parkinson had died in 1844). Around 1860 George sold his share of the business to William. Upon George’s death in 1873, his son George William succeeded him. He showed watches and chronometers at international and national exhibitions and diversified the firm’s production. In 1912, after Frodsham’s death, his widow sold the firm to its foreman, William Shrubshall Harris. The firm continued until 1947, though its premises were destroyed by bombing in July 1944.