Stock No. | SK |
Height | Diameter: 55 mm |
A Fine 18 Carat Gold Open Face ‘Karrusel’ Pocket Watch by Fridlander of Coventry, retailed by Curtis & Horspool of Leicester
The substantial 18 carat gold, stepped case with monogram to back. The white enamel, two piece dial with black Roman numerals, outer minutes ring and fifths of seconds chapter with Arabic five minutes makers, having blued steel ‘spade’ hands, centre seconds hand and sunken centre signed, Curtis and Horspool LEICESTER 25511. The three quarter plate, gilt going barrell movement jewelled to the centre with a karrusel English lever escapement, blued steel overcoil hairspring and temperature compensated split bi-metallic balance with gold timing screws, being signed to the top plate, Curtis & Horspool 25511 BY ROYAL WARRANT TO THE PRINCE OF WALES CLASS ‘A’ CERTIFICATE KEW OBSERVATORY ESPECIALLY GOOD 83.3 MARKS.
The Karrusel is essentially a carraige on which the escapement is mounted. It rotates slowly to minimise the positional error which occurs when a watch is worn in the pocket. They come in two formats, the more common 52.5 minute rotation and this, rarer 34 minute rotation with centre seconds.
This watch was made in 1895 when England was producing, perhaps, the finest watches ever made. The very best watches were sent to the Kew Observatory where they were rigourously tested over a forty five day period in various positions and at different temperatures to establish their accuracy. As confirmed by these records, this watch was awarded an ‘A’ certificate with an EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD commendation, having achieved a remarkable 83.3 marks.
Clock maker: | Fridlander of Coventry |
Circa: | Hallmarked 1895 |
Height: | Diameter: 55 mm |
Price: | SOLD |