Thematic Auction in Geneva:The Evolut...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Nov 16, 2002

LOT 319

Charles Frodsham, AD. Fmsz, 84 Strand, London, No. 02037, hallmarked 1862-63.Very fine and rare 18K gold early split-seconds watch with 24-hour power reserve indicator.

CHF 6,000 - 8,000

EUR 4,000 - 5,300

Sold: CHF 6,555

C. Four-body, "bassine et filets", engine-turned back cover, ree-ded band, gold hinged cuvette, split pushbutton in the pendant. D. Off-white, attributable to Willis, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track with five-minute Arabic markers, sunk win-ding indicator at 6 o'clock. Gold "spade" hands. M. 42.5 mm.(18 3/4'''), 3/4 plate, 19 jewels, lateral counterpoised lever esca-pement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with blued steel Breguet balance spring, diamond endstone, split-seconds me-chanism operating via a small coiled spring, up-and-down trans-mission via four wheels driven from a pinion mounted on the extension of the fusee arbor.Signed on dial and movement, case punched with casemakers mark "FM".Diam. 50 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3 - 15
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2 - 01

Notes

Until the invention of the so called "heart piece" by Henri-Féréol Nicole, an employee of Nicole & Capt, which was first shown at the London Exhibition of 1862, split seconds watches were based on the principle of two wheels held together by a long coiled elastic spring, invented by Joseph Thaddeux Winnerl about 1830. They are rare, found sometimes in Arnold, Dent and Frodsham watches.