English pocket chronometer “Of the second kind” Circa 1802

Gold consular cased pocket chronometer “Of the second kind”
–
An English fine gold consular cased pocket chronometer “Of the second kind”, circa 1802, gilded full plate movement, spring detent escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved balance cock with blued steel stud arm, ‘Z’ balance, blued steel helical spring, diamond endstone, signed John Arnold and Son, London, Invt. et Fecit.
White enamel dial, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, subsidiary seconds, blued steel spade hands.
Plain gold consular case, the back opening to reveal fixed cover with winding aperture, inner and outer backs both with maker’s mark DW incuse for Daniel Webb.
–
Diameter: 56 mm
–
Signed: John Arnold and Son London Invt. et Fecit
–
The movement of this watch is signed with the partnership name John Arnold and Son, which was in use from about 1787. This is a typical small chronometer from the 4^th series which were termed “Of the Second Kind”; within this series, the fractional numbers to the backplate differ from one another by 301. If the movement was finished in order with the rest of the series, it would have been completed around 1794. It is possible that it remained in stock and was completed after the series was finished, or was completed in sequence and a new case fitted by Arnold some eight or so years later; the owner may, for example, have wished to upgrade from a silver to a gold case. The design of the case follows the general pattern of those in the series although is arguably rather finer and more substantial.