220 - French - French Royal Exchange

French - French Royal Exchange (*) A rare and highly attractive London ship's chronometer with an 8-day power reserve indicator Movm. No. 12250, Case No. 12250, Dimensions 190 x 190 x 200 mm, circa 1830, Origin: England Case: Three-part mahogany box, inlaid bone shield, screwed-on handles, with lid and glass, brass gimbals and bowl. Dial: Silvered, signed “French Royal Exchange,” inlaid Roman numerals, oversized auxiliary seconds, 8-day power reserve indicator, blued spade hands. Movement: 1/2-plate movement with escapement, chain/fusee, spring detent escapement, bimetallic chronometer balance with 2 screws and 2 weights, free-sprung, blued, helical balance spring. Santiago James Moore French (c. 1781–1842) was the most prominent watchmaker in this family. Born in Ireland, he moved to London at a young age and took over the workshop of his relative Peter Moore on the well-known Sweeting’s Alley, near the Royal Exchange. From the 1820s onward, he specialized in high-precision marine chronometers and won prestigious awards from the British Admiralty. His timepieces were so accurate that one of his chronometers (No. 4214) accompanied Charles Darwin on his famous voyage of discovery aboard the HMS Beagle. Case: very good, worn. Dial: very good, slightly oxidized. Movement: very good, in working order, cleaning recommended.