John Roger Arnold, London

• Movement: gilded full plate, Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement, balance cock decoratively engraved with a griffin and foliate scrolls, 'Z' balance, gold helical spring, diamond endstone, signed Jn. R. Arnold, London, Invt. et Fecit No. 1869
• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, large subsidiary seconds, blued steel hands, signed and numbered Arnold 1869
• Case: plain silver consular case, the back opening to reveal fixed cover with winding aperture, inner and outer backs both hallmarked London, 1802 and with maker's mark TH in rectangular cameo for Thomas Hardy, inner cover numbered 1869
• Deck box: later three-tier mahogany box with key

Cecil Clutton, England
Sotheby's New York, 21 February 1996, lot 616
Christie's London, 2nd July 2004, lot 30

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 330-331, pl. 208
Vaudrey Mercer, John Arnold & Son, 1972, pp. 157, 213
Hans Staeger, 100 Years of Precision Timekeepers from John Arnold to Arnold & Frodsham, 1763-1862, 1997, pp. 211-212
Cecil Clutton, Collectors' Collection, 1974, pp. 30-32, pls. 11a-b
Cecil Clutton & George Daniels, Watches, 1965, pls. 380-381
Cecil Clutton, Visits to Collections, Antiquarian Horology, No. 5, Vol. 2, December 1957, p. 86-87, fig. 1

Movement running and appears to be in good clean condition. Dial and case in good overall condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

In his book John Arnold & Son, Vaudrey Mercer lists the present chronometer and notes the fact that this watch has an Earnshaw escapement is "certainly a surprise, since at this time Earnshaw was demanding a reward for his escapement" [See op. cit. p. 157]. Nevertheless, it would have been prudent for John Roger to use Earnshaw’s version from time to time, if only to reaffirm his claim that the basic concept was his father’s invention.

Cecil Clutton included this watch in his book "Collector's Collection" where he notes that he gave the chronometer to George Daniels who "took it to task after which it ran for 2 1/2 weeks +2 and -2 seconds a day." Clutton also notes that, in his opinion, this chronometer is "of the highest quality, fully equal of anything executed in the life-time of John." This watch is one of three or four watches recorded where Arnold has fitted an Earnshaw type of spring detent escapement to one of his movements. It is otherwise typical, with a ‘Z’ balance, gold helical spring, standard signature and a griffin displayed on the cock. The four-arm escape wheel follows Earnshaw’s early tooth profile but made in the Arnold manner where much more of the wheel has been cut away for lightness. The detent is typically Arnold (only the reverse of normal) and has a side fitting jewel. The detent mounting is similar to Earnshaw’s, consisting of a brass arm and block for depth adjustment, but half of the block pivots on a rivet, with two pairs of opposing screws for the left/right adjustment.