English silver historical chronometer watch Circa 1797

Silver open faced pocket watch
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A pocket chronometer of historical interest out of Arnolds series III with Arnold’s spring detent escapement, manufactured in quality II, circa 1797.
A silver open faced pocket watch, hallmark London 1810, case maker’s punch mark “DW” (Daniel Walker, New Shore Buildings, Clerkenwell Close). Enamel dial, roman numerals, subsidiary dial, full plate movement, chain/fusee, keywind, gold screw compensation balance according to Pennington.

This chronometer was originally built in 1797 and had most likely been fitted with John Arnold’s Z balance; in1810, however, it was remodeled by John Roger Arnold. A new case was ordered from Daniel Walker, who had already created a number of pieces for J.R. Arnold. The watch was also fitted with a more modern dial, while the original set of hands was kept. Likewise, J.R. Arnold obviously decided to keep the original spring detent escapement, but he fitted the movement with a Pennington balance which was quite a novelty at the time. Here an extra heavy and high quality version of the balance was used. All in all this is a fascinating pocket chronometer that shows the gradual development of the technology used by Arnold ‘ s son John Roger Arnold in the course of the modernization process.