97th Auction

2018/5/12

Lot 536

Parkinson & Frodsham, Change Alley, London, Movement No. 4436, 58 mm, 193 g, circa 1856
A deck-chronometer with original exotic wooden box with signed and numbered bone shield
Case: silver, case maker's punch mark "IT". Dial: enamel. Movm.: full plate movement, chain/fusee, spring detent escapement according to Thomas Earnshaw, bimetallic chronometer balance with 4 screws and 2 weights, freesprung helical balance spring.
In 1801 William James Frodsham, son of William Frodsham the Younger, and William Parkinson founded the company that was to become famous as Parkinson & Frodsham at 4 Change Alley, Cornhill in London. The two partners decided to specialize in pocket and marine chronometers; the location of their business was perfect for that because the coffee houses in the vicinity such as Garroway’s were frequented by captains, merchants and sales representatives of foreign trading houses who came to make their transactions. Very soon the company did not only supply the British Admiralty with their goods but exported them to the whole of Northern Europe. Several expeditions were equipped with their watches.

Sold

estimated
3.0007.000 €
Price realized
6.500 €