Marine chronometer · Two-day boxed marine chronometer

W.E. Frodsham two-day marine chronometer no. 2

Partially verified

This two-day marine chronometer by William Edward Frodsham is dated 1825 and numbered 2. Mounted in gimbals inside a three-part mahogany box, the instrument features brass carrying handles, an escutcheon with an inset brass Admiralty 'x' deaccession mark, and an ivory front plaque inscribed 'TWO DAYS'. The 3-inch silvered dial features Roman numerals with a subsidiary seconds dial above VI. The movement is fitted with a chain fusee, maintaining power, a cut and compensated bimetallic balance with cylindrical weights, a helical balance spring, and a diamond endstone. The auction catalogue documents its historical service on the second voyage of HMS Beagle and later during the North American Boundary Expedition.

W.E. Frodsham two-day marine chronometer no. 2 in mahogany box — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.bonhams.com
Category: Marine chronometer · Two-day boxed marine chronometer
Maker / attribution: W.E. Frodsham
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 120
Source-reported date: 1825
Country: United Kingdom
Source-reported serial: 2

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

Case Construction

The instrument is housed in a three-part mahogany box, which features brass carrying handles and a brass escutcheon with an integrated release button for the upper cover. An ivory plaque inset on the front of the box is inscribed 'TWO DAYS'.

The box includes an internal gimbal mount and a locking mechanism for the circular brass bowl. The second cover features a recess, described as being cut for a larger plaque that is currently missing.

Evidence for this section

“The three part mahogany case of characteristic form, with brass carrying handles, escutcheon and release button for the upper cover”
“the front of the box inset with an ivory plaque inscribed 'TWO DAYS'”
“the second cover cut for a larger plaque (now missing, probably removed when deaccessioned)”

Dial Details

The 3-inch silvered dial bears the signature 'Wllm. Edwd. Frodsham éleve of Parkinson and Frodsham, Change Alley, London, Two Days'. It includes a subsidiary seconds dial positioned above the VI numeral and is numbered '2'.

The reverse of the dial exhibits evidence suggesting the removal of a broad arrow mark at the time of the instrument's deaccession.

Evidence for this section

“The 3 inch silvered Roman dial signed 'Wllm. Edwd. Frodsham éleve of Parkinson and Frodsham, Change Alley, London, Two Days'”
“the subsidiary seconds dial above VI, numbered '2'”
“the reverse of the dial shows evidence of the removal of a broad arrow when deaccessioned”

Movement and Mechanism

The chronometer movement features a chain fusee, maintaining power, a cut and compensated bimetallic balance with cylindrical weights, a helical balance spring, and a diamond endstone set in a double-screwed chaton. The backplate is inscribed 'Willm Edwd Frodsham AD 1825, London'.

A small, shallow circular recess is present on the plate to the left of the balance, documented as the location where an Ordnance arrow was removed during deaccession.

Evidence for this section

“signed and dated chain fusee movement with maintaining power, cut and compensated bi-metallic balance with cylindrical weights, helical spring and diamond endstone set in a double screwed chaton”
“the backplate inscribed 'Willm Edwd Frodsham AD 1825, London'”
“the plate to the left of the balance drilled with a small shallow circular recess where the Ordnance arrow was removed when deaccessioned”

Open research questions

What is the specific provenance documentation or ledger evidence, other than the removed marks, that confirms the chronometer's presence on the HMS Beagle and the North American Boundary Expedition?
Are there records of the 1911 deaccession process that detail which specific institution or individual acquired the instrument from E. Dent and Co.?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for W.E. Frodsham two-day marine chronometer no. 2
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Dial Signature	Wllm. Edwd. Frodsham éleve of Parkinson and Frodsham, Change Alley, London, Two Days	“The 3 inch silvered Roman dial signed 'Wllm. Edwd. Frodsham éleve of Parkinson and Frodsham, Change Alley, London, Two Days'”
Backplate Inscription	Willm Edwd Frodsham AD 1825, London	“the backplate inscribed 'Willm Edwd Frodsham AD 1825, London'”
Case Construction	Three part mahogany case with brass carrying handles and ivory plaque	“The three part mahogany case of characteristic form, with brass carrying handles, escutcheon and release button for the upper cover with an inset brass 'x' Admiralty deaccession mark, the second cover cut for a larger plaque (now missing, probably removed when deaccessioned), the front of the box inset with an ivory plaque inscribed 'TWO DAYS'.”
Case Dimensions	16cm (6.25in)	“16cm (6.25in)”
Historical Service	Reported usage on the second voyage of HMS Beagle and the North American Boundary Expedition	“used on the second voyage of HMS Beagle and subsequently for the North American Boundary Expedition”
Admiralty Ledger Correction	Admiralty records originally listed the chronometer as 'H Frodsham 2', subsequently corrected to 'W.E Frodsham'.	“The chronometer was initially entered as 'H Frodsham 2' but later the 'H' was scored through and corrected below 'Alias W.E Frodsham.'”

Visible details

Three-part mahogany box opened displaying the brass gimbal mount, locking mechanism, and circular brass bowl
Silvered dial with black Roman numerals, blued hands, and subsidiary seconds dial
Oval ivory plaque inset beneath the keyhole escutcheon inscribed 'TWO DAYS'
Brass side drop handle mounted on shaped brass backplate
Recess cutout visible on the second cover where a plaque was formerly installed

Research qualifications

Source reports evidence of the removal of Ordnance/broad arrow marks on the dial reverse and movement plate when deaccessioned.
A larger plaque originally situated on the second cover is noted as missing, likely removed upon deaccession.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : An important second quarter of the 19th century marine chronometer used on the second voyage of HMS Beagle and subsequently for the North American Boundary Expedition W.E. Frodsham, London, number 2, dated 1825

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 0161e569f8

Terms in this record

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

Other two-day boxed marine chronometer records

Thomas Mercer Two-Day Marine Chronometer, No. 17989