English gold minute repeater with chronograph Circa 1891

Gold chronograph watch by Charles Frodsham
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A fine English yellow gold open faced minute repeating split second chronograph watch, circa 1891. This watch features a three quarter plate nickel lever movement with jewels, some set in chatons, and hammers on gongs for the repeater function. It boasts a white enamel dial with Roman numerals, an outer minute track with 1/5 second divisions, and subsidiary dials for a 60 minute register and constant seconds. The timepiece includes split seconds hands and blued spade hands. The case is made of 18 carat yellow gold and contains a recessed slide for the repeat function located on the band. The watch is activated via a coaxial crown and has a split second pusher at the 11 o’clock position. The case, dial, and movement are all signed.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Signed: Charles Frodsham London
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The case is in good overall condition, showing some light surface wear and scuffs consistent with its age. The case band has a few small nicks, while the bow exhibits some warping at the top. The dial is intact, but there are a few surface spots and light dust present. Additionally, there is a small chip on the outermost edge of the 60 second register at 3 o’clock, and some patina has developed around the outer perimeter of the sunken subdial. The hands and centre arbour also show some wear and patina. The minute repeating function is operating correctly, and the split second chronograph is functioning as well. The movement is running smoothly.
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Charles Frodsham, a distinguished horologist, was born on April 15th, 1810, and died on January 11th, 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.
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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, specialising in fine precision timepieces.