Pocket watch · Minute repeating split-seconds chronograph tourbillon pocket watch

Charles Frodsham Minute Repeating Split-Seconds Chronograph with One-Minute Tourbillon

Partially verified

This open-faced keyless pocket watch by Charles Frodsham is encased in 18k yellow gold stamped with the maker's mark of Harrison Mills Frodsham. Dated circa 1928, it features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, two subsidiary dials, blued steel hands, and a central split-seconds chronograph mechanism alongside a minute repeater and a one-minute tourbillon. The movement bears serial number 010303. The auction house reports this timepiece was ordered by J.P. Morgan Jr. and presented to senior partner Thomas Lamont; it is preserved in its fitted red case.

Charles Frodsham 18k yellow gold minute repeating split-seconds chronograph tourbillon pocket watch in fitted box — Phillips. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.phillips.com
Category: Pocket watch · Minute repeating split-seconds chronograph tourbillon pocket watch
Maker / attribution: Charles Frodsham
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 136
Source-reported date: Circa 1928
Country: United Kingdom
Source-reported serial: 010303

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

Dial and External Presentation

The pocket watch features an open-faced configuration with a white enamel dial, black Roman numerals for the hours, and outer minute calibrations. The dial is signed 'CHAS FRODSHAM' above '010303.A.D.Fmsz'. Two subsidiary registers are positioned horizontally across the dial with blued hands.

The watch is encased in 18k yellow gold with a ribbed winding crown and rounded bow. It is accompanied by a red fitted box with a 'kick stand'.

Evidence for this section

“White enamel dial with black Roman hour numerals and outer minute calibrations.”
“Dial signed 'CHAS FRODSHAM' above '010303.A.D.Fmsz'.”
“Twin subsidiary dials positioned horizontally across the dial with blued hands.”
“Accompanied by fitted case with 'kick stand'.”

Case Marking and Movement Complications

The case is stamped with the maker's mark 'HMF (Harrison Mills Frodsham)' and features an English hallmark year letter for 1928. The manual jewelled movement bears the number 010303 and is recorded as signed alongside the dial.

The movement is catalogued as incorporating three complications: a minute repeater, a split-seconds chronograph with a 60-minute register, and a one-minute tourbillon. Because the dial is a solid enamel face, the internal repeating mechanism and tourbillon are not exposed from the front view.

Evidence for this section

“Case stamped HMF (Harrison Mills Frodsham)”
“makers mark HMF (Harrison Mills Frodsham) and year letter for 1928”
“Calibre Manual, jewelled”
“Movement No 010303”
“Dial and movement signed”
“incorporates a minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, and a one-minute tourbillon”
“60-minute register”

Reported Provenance and Dimensional Documentation

According to the auction house's research, this timepiece belonged to a series commissioned by J.P. Morgan Jr. between 1898 and 1934 as gifts for partners or family members, and was reportedly given to J.P. Morgan & Co. senior partner Thomas Lamont (1870–1948). The source does not note any caseback engraving confirming this dedication.

The source documentation contains a dimensional discrepancy: the specifications state a '62mm diameter', while the accompanying catalogue essay notes the watch as 'measuring a massive 63.5mm in diameter'.

Evidence for this section

“These watches were ordered by J.P. Morgan Jr. the bank magnate to be offered as gifts to his partners”
“According to our research, this piece was given to Thomas Lamont (1870-1948) a leading American banker and international financial adviser who became a senior partner at J.P. Morgan & Co..”
“62mm diameter”
“measuring a massive 63.5mm in diameter”

Open research questions

What accounts for the difference between the 62mm diameter cited in the lot details and the 63.5mm diameter cited in the catalogue essay?
Does the cuvette or case back contain any inscription or monogram directly verifying the provenance to Thomas Lamont, or is the association based exclusively on external archival records?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Charles Frodsham Minute Repeating Split-Seconds Chronograph with One-Minute Tourbillon
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Movement Number	010303	“Movement No 010303”
Case Maker Mark	HMF (Harrison Mills Frodsham)	“Case stamped HMF (Harrison Mills Frodsham)”
Material	18k yellow gold	“Material 18k yellow gold”
Complications	Minute repeating, split-seconds chronograph, one-minute tourbillon	“incorporates a minute repeater, split-seconds chronograph, and a one-minute tourbillon”
Accompaniment	Fitted case with kick stand	“Accompanied by fitted case with 'kick stand'.”
Case Hallmarks	Maker's mark HMF (Harrison Mills Frodsham) and year letter for 1928	“case with makers mark HMF (Harrison Mills Frodsham) and year letter for 1928”
Calibre	Manual, jewelled	“Calibre Manual, jewelled”
Chronograph Register	60-minute register	“60-minute register”

Visible details

White enamel dial with black Roman hour numerals and outer minute calibrations.
Twin subsidiary dials positioned horizontally across the dial with blued hands.
Open-faced yellow gold case with ribbed winding crown and bow, presented within a red velvet-lined fitted box.
Dial signed 'CHAS FRODSHAM' above '010303.A.D.Fmsz'.

Research qualifications

The auction listing gives two different diameter measurements (62mm in specifications and 63.5mm in the catalogue essay).
Tourbillon and repeating work are internal complications not directly visible from the dial perspective shown in the photograph.
Historical provenance regarding J.P. Morgan Jr. and Thomas Lamont is source-reported.

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

Consulted source

Charles Frodsham The Geneva Watch Auction: XXIII

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 1a99a93f99

Terms in this record

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