Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong - Kong, Oct 09, 2010

LOT 336

CHARLES FRODSHAM DUAL-TRAIN QUARTER REPEATING GRANDE ET PETITE SONNERIE CLOCKWATCH Charles Frodsham, AD Fmsz, 84 Strand, London, No. 02794, the movement probably supplied by Nicole Nielsen. The case with London hallmarks for 1866. Fine and very rare, 18K gold, two-train grande and petite sonnerie quarter repeating clockwatch. Accompanied by a Charles Frodsham red presentation case.

HKD 40,000 - 55,000

USD 5,000 - 7,000 / EUR 4,000 - 5,500

Sold: HKD 56,250

C. Four-body, "bassine et filets" by Adolph Nicole (master mark), engine-turned reverse with blank cartouche, reeded band with strike/silent slide between 1-2 and grande/petite 20track, subsidiary seconds. Blued steel poire hands. M. 38 mm, dual barrels, frosted gilt bar caliber, 15 jewels, engraved cock, calibrated straight-line lever escapement, cut and compensated bimetallic balance, blued steel Breguet overcoil balance spring, index regulator, polished steel hammers striking and repeating on two coiled steel gongs activated by a button in the pendant. Dial and movement signed, case stamped AN. Diam. 49 mm

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Image

Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3-30

Good

Alterations

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-70-01

Good

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairline

HANDS Original

Notes

As with most high quality complicated English watches, the movement of this watch was supplied by one of the Swiss firms in London, probably Nicole Nielsen. Antiquorum has previously sold an almost identical, slightly larger, example numbered 03613 that was the personal property of Ferguson Cole. Both Ferguson Cole and Charles Frodsham are pre-eminent figures in British horology during the Victorian era. (lHong Kong 08-06-2002, lot 290).