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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer

Charles Frodsham Two-Day Marine Chronometer No. 2819

Partially verified

This mid-19th-century English two-day marine chronometer by Charles Frodsham is housed in a gimballed brass bowl within a brass-bound wooden box, accompanied by a fitted outer transport box with a leather strap. The silvered dial features Roman numerals, an up-and-down state-of-wind indicator below XII graduated from 0 to 56 hours, and a subsidiary seconds dial above VI. The dial and the circular plaque on the case are marked with the maker's name and serial number 2819, alongside the 84 Strand, London address. The silvered inner bezel rim bears an inscription referencing the 1855 Exposition Universelle Grande Médaille d'Honneur.

Charles Frodsham two-day marine chronometer No. 2819 in brass-bound case with outer transit box.
Charles Frodsham two-day marine chronometer No. 2819 in brass-bound case with outer transit box. — 1stDibs. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.1stdibs.com
Category
Marine chronometer · Two-day marine chronometer
Maker / attribution
Charles Frodsham
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
f_37964832
Source-reported date
c. 1860
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
2819

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 Exterior Presentation

This marine chronometer, identified as No. 2819, is housed in a three-tier rosewood case with brass binding. The lower section includes drop handles on the sides, while the front features a lock and key with an inlaid brass escutcheon.

The upper portion includes a glazed section and a brass button to lock the top lid. The chronometer movement is held in a gimballed brass bowl, which can be secured for transport by a handle in the bottom right corner of the case. A circular bone plaque on the front of the upper part is inscribed with the maker and serial number.

Evidence for this section
  • “classic expertly produced 19th century English chronometer in a three-tier rosewood case”
  • “The lower part has two drop handles to the sides, while the front has a lock and key with an inlaid brass escutcheon.”
  • “In the front of the upper part is a brass button to lock the top lid, as well as a circular bone plaque inscribed as follows: CHAs FRODSHAM 84 Strand LONDON No 2819.”
  • “The movement is situated in a gimballed brass bowl, which can be secured for transport purposes by a turnable handle in the bottom right corner of the case.”

Dial and Indication

The four-inch silvered dial features Roman hour numerals with minute and five-minute divisions. The bezel is inscribed on the inner silvered rim with the text ‘EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE DE 1855 GRANDE MEDAILLE D’HONNEUR’. Time is indicated by gilt brass hands.

A subsidiary seconds dial is located above the six o'clock position, using a blued-steel hand on a ring with Arabic ten-second, five-second, and second divisions. An up-and-down winding indicator, graduated 0 to 56 hours, is positioned below the twelve o'clock marker.

Evidence for this section
  • “The 4" silvered dial is protected by a flat bevelled glass set in a brass bezel, screwed to the bowl.”
  • “The top rim of the silvered inside of the bezel bears the following text ‘EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE DE 1855 GRANDE MEDAILLE D’HONNEUR’.”
  • “The seconds are indicated by a blued-steel hand on a separate chapter ring below the middle with Arabic ten-second, five-second and second divisions. Below the XII is up-and-down dial 0-56 (hours), indicating the state of winding.”

Mechanism and Construction

The two-day duration movement is built between two circular plates and utilizes a chain fusee driven by a spring in a spring barrel. It features an Earnshaw spring detent escapement, a compensated balance, and a helical spring.

The instrument is wound by a special key with a ratchet mechanism to prevent winding in the incorrect direction. The key may be stored in a hole provided in the top right corner of the case. The winding hole itself is protected by a circular sprung shutter.

Evidence for this section
  • “The two-day movement is constructed between two circular plates and is driven by a spring in a spring barrel via a chain fusee.”
  • “It has an Earnshaw spring detent escapement with a compensated balance and helical spring.”
  • “The chronometer is wound by a special key with a ratchet to prevent winding the clock in the wrong direction. The original key can be stored in a hole in the top right corner of the case.”

Open research questions

  • Verify if the movement contains the same serial number (No. 2819) as the dial and bone plaque.
  • Confirm the historical significance of the 1855 Exposition Universelle inscription in relation to this specific chronometer's manufacturing timeline.

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Charles Frodsham Two-Day Marine Chronometer No. 2819
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker's signature and addressCARLES FRODSHAM 84 STRAND LONDON No 2819“CARLES FRODSHAM 84 STRAND LONDON No 2819”
EscapementEarnshaw spring detent escapement“Earnshaw spring detent escapement with a compensated balance and helical spring”
DriveSpring barrel via chain fusee“driven by a spring in a spring barrel via a chain fusee”
Bezel inscriptionEXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE DE 1855 GRANDE MEDAILLE D’HONNEUR“‘EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE DE 1855 GRANDE MEDAILLE D’HONNEUR’”
Case constructionThree-tier rosewood case“three-tier rosewood case”
Bone plaque inscriptionCHAs FRODSHAM 84 Strand LONDON No 2819“circular bone plaque inscribed as follows: CHAs FRODSHAM 84 Strand LONDON No 2819”
Dimensions18 x 17.5 x 18.5 cm“Dimensions: 18x17.5x18.5cm”

Visible details

  • Silvered dial with Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds dial above VI, and state-of-wind indicator below XII.
  • Chronometer mounted in a brass gimbal ring inside a brass-bound wooden box with a circular bone plaque on the middle section.
  • Separate wooden outer transport case lined with green velvet and fitted with an adjustable buckled leather carrying strap.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement components (chain fusee, plates, Earnshaw detent escapement, and balance) are not visible in the photograph.

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

Consulted source

Fine Two-Day Marine Chronometer Signed Charles Frodsham at 1stDibs

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 2ccc56e5ad

Terms in this record

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

Other two-day marine chronometer records