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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-faced pocket chronometer

Charles Frodsham 18ct gold openfaced keywound pocket chronometer

Partially verified

This openfaced keywound pocket chronometer by Charles Frodsham is housed in a 52mm 18ct gold case hallmarked for London in 1860 by casemaker RR. The 47mm white enamel dial features Roman numerals, blued steel hands, an up/down state-of-wind subsidiary dial below 12 o'clock, and a recessed subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The dial is signed 'CHAS FRODSHAM' and numbered '01341 AD fmsz'. According to the auction catalogue, the half-plate movement features two crowned honorifics, a chain fusee with maintaining power, a bi-metallic cut compensated balance, a free-sprung blued steel helical balance spring, and a detent escapement. The watch is accompanied by an associated brass-bound mahogany deck box.

Dial view of the Charles Frodsham 18ct gold openfaced pocket chronometer
Dial view of the Charles Frodsham 18ct gold openfaced pocket chronometer — Bellmans. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
app.bellmans.co.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Open-faced pocket chronometer
Maker / attribution
Charles Frodsham
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1690
Source-reported date
1860
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
01341

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Provenance

This timepiece is signed by Charles Frodsham, 84 Strand, London, with the serial number 01341. It includes the code 'AD fmsz', which the source identifies as a proprietary Frodsham date code referencing the year 1850.

The 18ct gold case is hallmarked for London, 1860, with the maker's mark 'RR'. It is housed in an associated brass-bound mahogany deck box containing a velvet-lined watch bed with the ink-inscribed number '01379'.

Evidence for this section
  • “By Charles Frodsham, 84 Strand, London, No 01341 AD fmsz”
  • “Hallmarked London 1860, Case maker RR”
  • “the lift out velvet lined watch bed, inscribed in ink to the underside 01379”

Mechanism and Construction

The half-plate movement is signed and numbered and features two crowned honorifics. Mechanical components include a chain fusee with maintaining power, a bi-metallic cut compensated balance, a free-sprung blued steel helical balance spring, and a detent escapement.

The timepiece features a 47mm white enamel dial with a power reserve subsidiary, a recessed seconds subsidiary, and blued steel hands. Damage is reported on the dial between 5 and 6 o'clock, alongside a hair crack extending from the 25-second mark to the dial edge.

Evidence for this section
  • “the half-plate movement, signed and numbered with two crowned honorifics, with chain fusee and maintaining power, bi-metallic cut compensated balance, free sprung blued steel helical spring and detent escapement”
  • “damage to the dial between 5 and 6 o'clock.”
  • “There is a hair crack running from 25 seconds to the edge of the dial.”

Condition and Accessories

The watch is reported as working, though the movement is noted to require professional cleaning. The case exhibits minor rubbing to the engine turning, and the suspension bow shows evidence of historical strengthening. The case hinges are described as being in good condition.

The associated deck box displays a split in the wood in the lowest interior section and wear near the watch suspension position. No winding key for the watch or key for the box is included.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch is currently working”
  • “the top suspension bow has been strengthened at the top”
  • “There is no key to the lock of the box and there is no key to the pocket watch.”

Open research questions

  • What specific honors correspond to the 'two crowned honorifics' mentioned on the movement?
  • What is the significance of the 01379 numbering in the context of Frodsham's production records versus the watch serial 01341?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Charles Frodsham 18ct gold openfaced keywound pocket chronometer
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerCharles Frodsham, 84 Strand, London“By Charles Frodsham, 84 Strand, London, No 01341 AD fmsz”
Hallmark Date1860“Hallmarked London 1860, Case maker RR”
Case Diameter52mm“The case 52mm diam.”
Movement FeaturesChain fusee and detent escapement“with chain fusee and maintaining power, bi-metallic cut compensated balance, free sprung blued steel helical spring and detent escapement”
Gross Weight124.7 gms“Gross weight of watch 124.7 gms.”
Gross Weight124.7 grams“Gross weight of watch 124.7 gms.”
Case Diameter52mm“The case 52mm diam.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial featuring an up/down state-of-wind subsidiary below XII and a subsidiary seconds dial at VI.
  • Blued steel spade hands for hours and minutes.
  • Gold openfaced case with a round pendant, suspension bow, and ribbed bezel rim.
  • Hairline crack and edge damage visible on the dial between approximately 5 and 6 o'clock.

Research qualifications

  • Condition report notes dial damage between 5 and 6 o'clock and a hairline crack extending from 25 seconds to the dial edge.
  • The top suspension bow shows signs of being strengthened at the top.
  • The accompanying mahogany deck box is associated, bearing number 01379 in ink under the bed, and neither box key nor winding key is present.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record b9aa4c16df

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.