Lot 186
Charles Frodsham. An 18K gold hunter case minute repeating keywound lever watch
SIGNED CHAS. FRODSHAM, NO. 04065, AD FMSZ, 84, STRAND, LONDON, STAMPED WITH LONDON DATE LETTER FOR 1869
Closed10 May 2010
Price Realised
CHF 5,250
More Information
Specialist note
Charles Frodsham (1810-1871) was a leading manufacturer of high-quality clocks, watches and chronometers and the last active member of a family that had played a prominent role in London clockmaking since the late 18th century. In 1840, he became a partner of John Roger Arnold who inherited his famous father's business.
At the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, Frodsham exhibited a three quarter plate caliber signed with the letters "AD. FMSZ", a cryptogram for the year 1850. The code is formed by the numerical sequence of the letters in "Frodsham," with a "Z" for zero. The firm subsequently used the code for its most important timepieces.
At the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, Frodsham exhibited a three quarter plate caliber signed with the letters "AD. FMSZ", a cryptogram for the year 1850. The code is formed by the numerical sequence of the letters in "Frodsham," with a "Z" for zero. The firm subsequently used the code for its most important timepieces.