English 18K gold deck chronometer with power reserve Circa 1887

Gold Observatory deck chronometer
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An especially heavy and impressive deck chronometer with carrousel, awarded especially good in Kew – Class A, retailed by Kilpatrick & Co. in London and made by Alfred Emmanuel Fridlander in Coventry, England, circa 1887. The plain open faced case of this watch was crafted from 18 carat gold. The white enamel dial has Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, a power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock and blued steel hands. The numbered very rare chronometer movement with special winding has a lever escapement, a chronometer balance and a diamond endstone.
Case and movement have matching numbers, the movement is signed.

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Diameter: 55 mm
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Weight: 166 g
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Signed: Kilpatrick & C^o London
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This timepiece was made by Alfred Emmanuel Fridlander and retailed by Kilpatrick & Co.  In 1888, it took part in the Kew Observatory’s chronometer competition at Old Deer Park in Richmond, London and achieved a score of 83.1 points and the award “especially good” in the category Kew – Class A. It comes with an extract from the chronometer database.
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The English watchmaker Alfred Emmanuel Fridlander, born in 1928, was one of the most successful watchmakers in Coventry. He came from a respected Jewish family originally from Germany. He was secretary of the Jewish community and synagogue in Coventry, and for a time also their chairman. As a Freemason, he belonged to the Trinity 254 Masonic Lodge, founded in 1755. He served as councillor, magistrate and secretary of the Coventry Fire Brigade. Fridlander made watches for various retailers, including the well known company Samuel Smith & Son in London, and was also appointed Maker to the Admiralty. The Royal Geographical Society was one of Fridlander’s most renowned clients. Between 1878 and 1928, this institution ordered around forty pocket watches from him for scientific expeditions. Fridlander also developed further commercial activities outside the watchmaking industry. He was a director of the Triumph Cycle Company and vice chairman of the Leigh Mills Company. Alfred Emmanuel Fridlander died a wealthy man in 1929.
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Kilpatrick & Co was a London based jeweller who established a branch in Melbourne, Australia in 1853.