ARNOLD | SILVER CONSULAR-CASED POCKET CHRONOMETER WITH EARLY ARNOLD SPRING DETENT ESCAPEMENT NO. 10/311 MOVEMENT CIRCA 1784, CASE HALLMARKED 1809

Dial: later, white enamel, signed Arnold No.10, Roman numerals, outer five minute divisions with Arabic numerals, large subsidiary secondsMovement: gilt full plate fusee, early ‘Arnold type’ spring detent escapement, OZ balance, blued steel helical spring, foliate pierced and engraved balance cock, diamond endstone, signed John Arnold, London, Invt. Et Fecit No 311Case: plain silver polished consular case, later inner and outer casebacks London hallmarked for 1809, stamped with maker’s mark TH for Thomas Hardy and numbered 311Dimensions: 54mm diameterSigned: dial signed Arnold, movement signed John Arnold, LondonAccessories: with fitted mahogany chronometer box and winding key, various documents including correspondence from the owner's ancestors;  [correspondence from] Richard Monkhouse, three autograph letters signed, to his brother John Monkhouse, providing extensive fraternal advice relating to life at sea, promising him that “when you are capable […] I can procure you the Master, of some of our Vessalls”, and with family news including the death at sea of their brother Thomas, 8 pages, folio, Whitehaven and elsewhere, 28 January 1776 to 29 March 1778, crude tape repairs, browning and chipping [with:] Six receipts and summary accounts of John Monkhouse, relating to maritime voyages, 1783-91 [also with:] three later documents: a letter by Jonathan Monkhouse, a customs license, and a genealogical note, 1810-1856  

The Universal British Directory 1793-1798

DIAL: with a hairline going from the centre towards the centre of the subdial and then towards 7 o'clock. A few small hairlines towards the outer chapter ring between 6 and 7 o'clock. Small hairline on the outer chapter between 9 and 10 o'clock. CASE: with scuffs and marks throughout. With a few marks to the back of the case between 3 and 4 o'clock, 9 and 10 o'clock and around 11 o'clock. MOVEMENT: running at the time of cataloguing Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of its timekeeping. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and that a service may be required at the buyer's discretion.
"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."

The three Monkhouse brothers are thought to have been born in Cumbria. John Monkhouse, the middle brother (1760 - 1814) married Jane Tillstone, the eldest daughter of a prominent Rope Maker  in the prosperous shipbuilding town of New-Shoreham (later known as Worthing)  John was  recorded as a Captain by the age of around 31, and listed as Gentry in the Universal British Directory of 1791.

Richard Monkhouse, his elder brother, was stationed in Whitehaven with his wife, Hannah, and his ship, “ the Prosperity.”

The third brother,  was Thomas Monkhouse. He died at sea in 1776 and is mentioned in the letter, dated 25^th of May 1777, addressed to John Monkhouse. 

This chronometer is likely to have been the possession of either John or Richard Monkhouse, and has remained within the family ever since. It features a John Arnold movement that dates from about 1784 and is quite an early example of an Arnold spring detent escapement. As was often the practise during this period, the case was updated 'in-house' by John Roger Arnold and has London hallmarks for 1809.  The dial was certainly updated at the same time, as was the mahogany box. Using the tables compiled by Vaudrey Mercer, it would appear that the movement is part of the fourth series - 'of the second kind' - as shown in both Vaudrey's 'Arnold and Sons' and also Hans Staeger's, '100 years of  precision timekeepers' (although the present watch is not recorded.)

With thanks to Jonathan Betts for his help with this footnote.