John Arnold and Son. A superb Chronometer by this highly respected maker

John Arnold and Son. A superb Chronometer by this highly respected maker

A small octagonal mahogany boxed chronometer by John Arnold and Son.

The beautifuly made experimental movement with Gold Helical balance spring and Arnold’s spring detent escapement, with free sprung three arm balance wheel being bi-metalic and of YZ form, being compensated made of steel, silver and brass, having chain driven single fusee with turned and screwed pillars. The backplate signed Arnold and Son, London. No 50/140 invt et Fect.

The silvered engraved brass dial set to a green velvet lined Octagonal mask with large format seconds dial set between IV and VII with blued steel spade hands, being signed below XII John Arnold and Son London No 50.

Having plain two tier octagonal box with glazed front and brass bezel, being wound from the base with applied sliding brass dust cover.

John Roger Arnold was apprenticed to his father at the age of 14 and later became his partner in 1787. In 1792 John Roger was sent to Paris to work with Abraham Louis Breguet. He stayed with Breguet until the Revolution when Breguet fled to Switzerland in July 1793.

John Arnold was the first to use a gold balance spring together with his non ferous balance which was a great advantage in the salty sea air. However as his movements were not housed in brass bowls they were more susceptible to rust.

For Comparative literature see An identical clock in the British Museum and in David Thompson’s book, The British Museum Clocks.

From the Collection of the Late George Daniels, Watchmaker