DESCRIPTION:
EPW - John Arnold & Son, London, fusee pocket chronometer with spring detent escapement and helical hairspring, 54mm, silver OF consular case bearing London hallmarks for 1789, incuse casemaker's "W L" marking, white enamel SS dial is a later high grade French style replacement affixed by small screws at 3 and 9, KWKS, spring detent escapement with expose detent in channel of plate, YZ balance with helical steel hairspring of about 3.5 turns, diamond endstone, gilt mvt with pierced and engraved balance cock, s#367/668. An "of the second kind" pocket chronometer, this example has the typical fractional serial number sequence of this series with numerator and denominator having a 301 digit differential. The YZ balance of this example is rarely seen and is described in Vaudrey Mercer's "John Arnold & Son" as "used for a short time only, and probably an experimental type." Selections from the collection of Tom McIntyre. Mr. McIntyre's website contains stories on many of the watches, and a discussion of the present piece can be viewed at this link: https://awco.org/awcoshow.php?artname=Arnold+and+Son+Chronometer&artid=139&collid=104&cidx=1
CONDITION:
Mvt: Ticking with some error in the round of its balance motion and stopping in certain positions, overhaul needed, detent has been replaced, otherwise fine-plus cosmetic mvt condition overall, some scratches around plate pin positions, scattered fine and micro-fine scratches elsewhere; excellent replacement dial with few minuscule edge nicks under bezel; fine hands; case with fracture to central knuckle of mvt hinge causing small amount of play at hinge, case shows light wear, an attractive patina, some dings to bezel between 3 and 5, two small dings to left perimeter of rear; bow pivots semi-freely; good domed glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$1600
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$3200
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