English 18 carat gold open faced chronometer with carrousel Circa 1882

Gold Class A Kew Observatory chronometer
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An extremely rare quality class A Kew Observatory chronometer with carrousel made by Reid & Sons in Newcastle, England, circa 1882. The plain open faced case of this watch was probably crafted by Fred Thomas from 18 carat gold and has the London Hallmarks for 1882. The white enamel dial has Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and blued steel spade hands. The movement is engraved with the test result Kew A 81.5 and has a very fine lever escapement.
The movement is numbered, signed and engraved with By appointment to the Queen & Prince of Wales.
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Diameter: 52 mm
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Weight: 123 g
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Signed: Reid & Sons Newcastle on Tyne
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Reid & Sons
The silversmith and watchmaking company Reid & Sons, which has existed for more than 240 years, was founded by Christian Ker Reid in Newcastle on Tyne in 1788. It still operates today as part of the Goldsmiths Group. The company’s most notable commissions include the Football Association Challenge Cup, the Rugby League Trophy and a chronometer once carried by Ernest Shackleton on his exploratory voyages to Antarctica. Various Reid & Sons timepieces are in the collections of the Science Museum in London and the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich London.
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Kew
Kew is a district in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Its population at the 2011 census was 11.436. Kew is the location of the Royal Botanic Gardens (“Kew Gardens”), now a World Heritage Site, which includes Kew Palace and the King’s Observatory. Kew is also the home of important historical documents such as Doomsday Book, which is held at The National Archives. Julius Caesar may have forded the Thames at Kew in 54 BC during the Gallic Wars.