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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket chronometer

Grant Fleet Street London Pocket Chronometer No. 2205

Partially verified

According to the source, this pocket chronometer features an early English movement made by Grant of Fleet Street, London, marked with serial number 2205 and marketed by Coward & Co. of Cornwall. Dating circa 1790–1810, it is housed in a later 63mm 18K yellow gold open-faced case created by case maker Martin Matthews and hallmarked in 1973. The white enamel dial features a regulator layout with a subdial for hours and minutes above an oversized subsidiary seconds subdial.

Dial and front view of Grant Fleet Street pocket chronometer No. 2205 in an 18K yellow gold case
Dial and front view of Grant Fleet Street pocket chronometer No. 2205 in an 18K yellow gold case — Renaissance Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.renaissanceantiques.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket chronometer
Maker / attribution
Grant
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
DKRO EMAR60
Source-reported date
Circa 1790–1810
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
2205

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

Movement and Identity

The movement is attributed to Grant of Fleet Street, London, and marked with serial number 2205. The source describes the movement as having a chronometer detent escapement.

The provided source contains contradictory information regarding the geographical origin of the piece, referring to it as 'early English horology' in the description while also labeling it a 'Swiss Pocket Chronometer' in the details list.

Evidence for this section
  • “crafted by Grant of Fleet Street, London, bearing serial number #2205”
  • “features a chronometer detent escapement movement”
  • “A fine example of early English horology”
  • “Swiss Pocket Chronometer Pocket Watch By Grant of London”

Dial Configuration

The white enamel dial displays a regulator-style layout with two vertically aligned subsidiary registers. The upper register tracks hours and minutes using Roman numerals, while the lower, oversized register is calibrated for seconds using Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.

The dial bears the signature 'GRANT Fleet Street' on the left side and 'London No. 2205' on the right side. The timepiece features metallic hour and minute hands paired with a blued steel seconds hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “unique split dial features an oversized subsidiary seconds, with hours and minutes in a separate register above”
  • “Dial signed across the center: 'GRANT Fleet Street' on the left and 'London No. 2205' on the right.”
  • “Blued steel subsidiary seconds hand and metallic hour and minute hands.”

Case and Restoration

The chronometer is housed in a 63mm open-faced 18K yellow gold case. This is identified as a later case, recreated by custom watch case maker Martin Matthews.

The case features an extended neck and stirrup bow and is hallmarked 1973. The source states the original movement was placed in this case as part of a restoration.

Evidence for this section
  • “original movement has been meticulously preserved in a heavy 63mm open-faced later case.”
  • “case was recreated by fourth-generation custom watch case maker Martin Matthews (1935-2013) and hallmarked in 1973”
  • “Open-face polished yellow gold case with extended neck and stirrup bow.”

Open research questions

  • What criteria distinguish this movement as English or Swiss?
  • Does the serial number 2205 exist in public databases for Grant of Fleet Street?
  • Are there marks inside the movement or case that corroborate the 1790–1810 dating?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Grant Fleet Street London Pocket Chronometer No. 2205
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and LocationGrant of Fleet Street, London“crafted by Grant of Fleet Street, London”
Serial Number2205“bearing serial number #2205”
RetailerCoward & Co. of Cornwall“marketed by Coward & Co. of Cornwall”
EscapementChronometer detent escapement“features a chronometer detent escapement movement”
Case MakerMartin Matthews (hallmarked 1973)“The case was recreated by fourth-generation custom watch case maker Martin Matthews (1935-2013) and hallmarked in 1973”
Case Dimensions and Material63mm, 18K yellow gold“this 18K yellow gold key-wind, key-set pocket chronometer”
RetailerCoward & Co. of Cornwall“marketed by Coward & Co. of Cornwall”
Estimated PeriodCirca 1790–1810“Circa 1790–1810”

Visible details

  • Open-face polished yellow gold case with extended neck and stirrup bow.
  • White enamel dial configured with two subsidiary registers aligned vertically.
  • Upper subdial features black Roman numerals and tracks for hours and minutes.
  • Lower oversized subsidiary dial is calibrated for seconds with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.
  • Blued steel subsidiary seconds hand and metallic hour and minute hands.
  • Dial signed across the center: 'GRANT Fleet Street' on the left and 'London No. 2205' on the right.

Research qualifications

  • The seller's description notes the piece as an example of early English horology by Grant of London, but also includes a contradictory bullet stating 'Swiss Pocket Chronometer'.
  • Movement and interior case hallmarks are not visible in the provided image; details rely on source documentation.

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

Consulted source

Pocket Chronometer Pocket Watch By Grant for Coward & Co. of Cornwall - Renaissance Antiques

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 567f9986f1

Terms in this record

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

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