181 - Charles Frodsham - Lever Chronometer

Charles Frodsham - Lever Chronometer (*) A very fine London lever chronometer with a power reserve indicator Movement No. 03964, Caliber 44 mm, Dimensions 55 mm, circa 1873, Weight 157 g, Origin: England, Original certificate Case: 18K gold; the back features a combined engraving of the coat of arms, monogram, and motto “Isto Velocior Vita” (Speed gives rise to life) of the British Shuttleworth family, along with the case maker’s punch marks “RR” (Robert Rowlands) and “CF” (Charles Frodsham). Dial: Enamel. Movement: 2/3-plate movement, chain/fusee, English lever escapement, large gold-screw-compensated balance, free-sprung, blued balance spring. The motto “Isto velocior vita” is the Latin family motto of the British Shuttleworth family. Its meaning, in a broader sense, is “From speed comes life.” The motto traces back to the British entrepreneur and inventor Joseph Shuttleworth. As the founder of a thriving 19th-century factory producing agricultural machinery (steam engines) that could complete work far more quickly than before, he chose this motto to symbolize rapid progress and the transformative power of mechanical innovation. Charles Frodsham (1810–1871) was a maker of very fine watches, originally based on the Strand in London and later on New Bond Street. His highest-quality watches bear the letters AD.Fmsz, which is interpreted as 1850, the year he purchased J.R. Arnold’s estate following his death; the firm was known for a short time as Arnold and Frodsham. He conducted numerous experiments with compensated balances and the balance spring to uncover their underlying principles; he also authored several papers on technical subjects. Case: very good. Dial: very good. Movement: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.