205 - John Roger Arnold - Of the Best Kind

John Roger Arnold - Of the Best Kind A museum-quality, important, oversized London pocket chronometer with a rare Z-balance, in the finest Arnold quality, “Of the Best Kind” Movm. No. 1677, Case No. 1677, Dimensions 77 mm, circa 1797, Weight 293 g, Origin: England, Original box Case: Silver, case maker’s punch mark “TH” (Thomas Hardy). Dial: Enamel, monogrammed “JRA” and numbered 1677, large subdial for the auxiliary seconds. Movement: Fire-gilt full-plate movement of the highest quality, signed “John R. Arnold, London, Invt. et Fecit No. 1677,” chain/fusee, steel escape wheel, spring detent escapement according to John Arnold, large Z-balance with 2 weights and 4 screws (diameter 26.9 mm), free-sprung blued helical balance spring with terminal curve, very finely florally engraved balance cock, chatoned diamond endstone on the balance. Apart from a No. 2 that has not yet been definitively identified, this is the earliest known John Roger Arnold chronometer, which comes in its original double-lid mahogany deck watch box. “Of the Best Kind” is a historical quality designation that John Arnold and later John Roger Arnold used for their very finest and most accurate pocket chronometers. He reserved the title “Best Kind” exclusively for his most complex, masterfully crafted top-of-the-line models. These watches were equipped with his most advanced inventions, such as special escapements (spring detent escapement) and specially developed balances (e.g., the double S-balance or the Z-balance). During his lifetime, John Arnold produced a total of only approximately examples of these exceptional masterpieces. Today, only a few of them survive worldwide in largely original and untouched condition, making them highly sought-after and valuable museum pieces at international auctions. This chronometer is in excellent, period-appropriate condition and is entirely original. It is illustrated and described several times in “100 Years of Precision Timepieces: From John Arnold to Arnold & Frodsham, 1763–1862” (100 Jahre Präzisionsuhren von John Arnold bis Arnold & Frodsham 1763–1862) by Hans Staeger, Filderstadt 1997, on pages 170, 209–210. From John Arnold to Arnold & Frodsham, 1763–1862) by Hans Staeger, Filderstadt 1997, on pages 170, 209–210, 221–222, and 409. John Arnold (1736–1799) was one of the most important British watchmakers and revolutionized the development of marine and pocket chronometers. John Roger Arnold (1769–1843) was born the son of the famous watchmaker. He began his career in watchmaking in 1783, first as an apprentice to his father and, from 1792 onward, to Abraham-Louis Breguet. He was granted Freedom of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1796 and became a Master in 1817. After his father’s death, John Roger continued to run the company on his own until 1830. That year, he moved to 48 Strand and entered into a 10-year partnership with E.J. Dent; business flourished during this period, and the partners had the opportunity to conduct research and experiments, particularly investigating the influence of magnetism on chronometers. When the partnership ended in 1840, Arnold continued his work until his death in February 1843. Case: very good. Dial: very good, minor restorations, hairline scratches. Movement: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.