London, United Kingdom
Parkinson & Frodsham
Partially verifiedManufacturing of pocket and marine chronometers
History
The firm Parkinson & Frodsham was established in London in 1801 by the chronometer makers William Parkinson and William James Frodsham.
Located at 4 Change Alley, Cornhill, the company built a strong reputation as a manufacturer of pocket and marine chronometers. In 1828, the company expanded its reach by opening a branch in Liverpool that eventually operated under the name Frodsham & Keen until its closure in 1935. The main firm in London continued to operate until at least 1947, and the company is noted for its international success in exhibitions throughout the nineteenth century.
The extended history summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.
Timeline
Parkinson & Frodsham's recorded dates, dated events from this profile and its sources, and dated pieces and sales from the object catalogue. Dates are as each record gives them.
1801 · Career
Founded (London)
1801 · Career
The firm Parkinson & Frodsham was established in London in 1801 by the chronometer makers William Parkinson and William James Frodsham.
circa 1820 · Catalogued piece
1828 · Career
In 1828, the company expanded its reach by opening a branch in Liverpool that eventually operated under the name Frodsham & Keen until its closure in 1935.
1947 · Career
Ceased trading under this name
1947 · Career
The main firm in London continued to operate until at least 1947, and the company is noted for its international success in exhibitions throughout the nineteenth century.
Current watchmaking & later fate
Recorded as ceased: 1947. Later use of the name by another firm, if any, is not covered here.
Key models
- Parkinson & Frodsham 3587
- This is a circa 1850 timepiece featuring an elaborately engraved gold case and an additional white enamel replacement dial.
Known markings
- The firm utilized the brand name Parkinson & Frodsham for its high-quality timepieces.
Serial numbers
No serial-number system for this maker is recorded in the cited references.
Collecting significance
The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.
In the object catalogue
3 catalogued objects are recorded under Parkinson & Frodsham. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.
- Edwardian mahogany nightwatchman's tell-tale bracket clockBracket clock · Early 20th century
- Parkinson & Frodsham Silver Spring Detent Escapement Deck-Watch No. 948Pocket chronometer & deck watch · 1823 – 4
- Parkinson and Frodsham 2-day marine chronometer No. 1769Two-day marine chronometer · circa 1820
Provenance
Where the 3 catalogued pieces by Parkinson & Frodsham were recorded, with the collectors, owners and sales their records name.
Provenance map
Each piece is linked to the museum, auction house or dealer whose record it comes from, and to any other house or collection its own provenance names. Select a name to see its pieces.
Museums · 1 piece
Auction houses · 1 piece
Dealers & other listings · 1 piece
Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales
Auction house · 1 piece
Edwardian mahogany nightwatchman's tell-tale bracket clockBracket clock · Early 20th century · Record source
Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales
Auction history
| House | Sale & lot | Object |
|---|---|---|
| Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales | — | Edwardian mahogany nightwatchman's tell-tale bracket clock |
Each line is copied from the object's source record and is not independently verified. Holders are as recorded when the piece was catalogued: museum objects may not be on display, and sold lots have since changed hands.
Sources & references
- List of chronometers on HMS Beagle, Wikipedia (English), retrieved 2026-11-03 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Parkinson & Frodsham, Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03
Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.