156
Charles Frodsham / Audemars Piguet
"Grande & Petite Sonnerie"
A superlative yellow gold hunting cased free sprung keyless lever minute-repeating clockwatch with Grande and Petite Sonnerie
Estimate
CHF20,000–40,000
€21,400–42,800
$24,100–48,100
Manufacturer
Charles Frodsham / Audemars Piguet
Year
Circa 1892
Movement No
08157 Charles Frodsham and 2809 Audemars Piguet
Model Name
"Grande & Petite Sonnerie"
Material
18k yellow gold
Calibre
Manual, 20''' lignes
Dimensions
55mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial and movement signed, case further stamped AS (Alfred Stram)
Accessories
Accompanied by Charles Frodsham & Co. Certificate of Origin confirming watch entering stock in 1892
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- Minute repeating Grand & Petite Sonnerie
- Free sprung helical balance spring
- Movement by Audemars Piguet
- Dial by Willis
Founded in 1834, Charles Frodsham & Co. Ltd. has long been esteemed among the foremost English watchmaking houses. In 1854, Charles Frodsham succeeded Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy as Superintendent and Keeper of Her Majesty's Clocks at Buckingham Palace, serving the King, the Prince of Wales, and Queen Alexandra. Following Charles’s passing, his son, Harrison Mill Frodsham, assumed control of the firm, formally incorporating it as Charles Frodsham & Co. Ltd. in 1893. Harrison Mill Frodsham was both an accomplished horologist and shrewd businessman, guiding the firm to continued excellence in precision timepieces.
The present piece features not only a minute repeater but what can be considered the grail in watchmaking: the Grande & Petite Sonnerie meaning that it can automatically chime the hours on every hour and hours and quarters on every quarter.
The lovely white enamel dial with Roman numerals was made by Frederick Willis. His dials were of the highest quality used by the very best British makers in their most important watches.
Interestingly the movement is engraved “partly made in Switzerland”, a mystery that reveals itself on the mainplate that is engraved Audemars Piguet, who supplied the movement in February 1892 for £100. The total manufacturing cost was £102/3/- (One Hundred and Two Pounds, 3 Shillings) underlining the importance and complexity of the movement.
Many Frodsham watches feature the coded letters "AD Fmsz" on the dials and movements, a cryptogram that traces back to 1850, symbolizing the highest quality introduced by Charles Frodsham.
- Minute repeating Grand & Petite Sonnerie
- Free sprung helical balance spring
- Movement by Audemars Piguet
- Dial by Willis
Founded in 1834, Charles Frodsham & Co. Ltd. has long been esteemed among the foremost English watchmaking houses. In 1854, Charles Frodsham succeeded Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy as Superintendent and Keeper of Her Majesty's Clocks at Buckingham Palace, serving the King, the Prince of Wales, and Queen Alexandra. Following Charles’s passing, his son, Harrison Mill Frodsham, assumed control of the firm, formally incorporating it as Charles Frodsham & Co. Ltd. in 1893. Harrison Mill Frodsham was both an accomplished horologist and shrewd businessman, guiding the firm to continued excellence in precision timepieces.
The present piece features not only a minute repeater but what can be considered the grail in watchmaking: the Grande & Petite Sonnerie meaning that it can automatically chime the hours on every hour and hours and quarters on every quarter.
The lovely white enamel dial with Roman numerals was made by Frederick Willis. His dials were of the highest quality used by the very best British makers in their most important watches.
Interestingly the movement is engraved “partly made in Switzerland”, a mystery that reveals itself on the mainplate that is engraved Audemars Piguet, who supplied the movement in February 1892 for £100. The total manufacturing cost was £102/3/- (One Hundred and Two Pounds, 3 Shillings) underlining the importance and complexity of the movement.
Many Frodsham watches feature the coded letters "AD Fmsz" on the dials and movements, a cryptogram that traces back to 1850, symbolizing the highest quality introduced by Charles Frodsham.