John Roger Arnold, London

• Movement: gilded full plate, Arnold spring detent escapement, ‘Z’ balance, blued steel helical spring, diamond endstone, standing barrel, unusual 21,600 train, signed Jn R Arnold, London Invt et Fecit No. 2095
• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, large subsidiary seconds, blued steel spade hands, subsidiary seconds hand with gold boss, signed Arnold 2095
• Case: later custom made, engine-turned back, band and bezel, plain hinged silver cuvette with winding aperture, case and cuvette hallmarked 1856 and with maker’s mark HWG in cameo for Henry William Griffin, pendant also hallmarked 1856

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, 2009, p. 347, pl. 221

Hans Staeger, 100 Years of Precision Timekeepers from John Arnold to Arnold & Frodsham 1763-1862, 1997, pp. 217-218

Vaudrey Mercer, John Arnold & Son, 1972, p. 213

Movement is running for a few minutes at time of cataloguing and appears to be running consistently in different positions but is stopping intermittently after a few minutes of running time. Dial with light hairline between 1 and 2 o'clock, small scratch just to the right of centre and otherwise appears to be in good condition. The engine-turned decoration to the case back is rubbed and there is loss of definition to this decoration.
"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 present watch, no. 2095, is one of two very interesting watches by John Roger Arnold to survive from circa 1809 - 1810. The second watch, which is also in a later case and is successively numbered 2096, is illustrated in Vaudrey Mercer, Arnold & Son, 1972, pl. 181. Like no. 2095, no. 2096 also has a going barrel and both 2095 and 2096 have trains with 21,600 BPH. As early as 1767, John Harrison suggested in his ‘Principles’, when discussing his timepiece H4, that a fast 21,600 train could be used to advantage in smaller timepieces. Clearly, the heavier the balance, and the slower moving it is, the more it can be affected by any sharp rotational movement. The detent escapement is especially susceptible, particularly if a twisting motion coincides with the speed and rotation of the balance. Here Arnold has employed an unusually strong balance spring and a powerful mainspring to drive it. The detent is of sufficient strength to avoid mis-locking, in order that, after unlocking, it is fast enough to return to its position of rest before the next tooth of the fast moving escape wheel arrives. Were the movement to use a fusee and chain in place of the going barrel, they would have to be of such large size as to greatly increase the size of the movement and so defeat much of the object of the exercise.

In Vaudrey Mercer’s book, John Arnold & Son, the author notes that John Roger Arnold’s pocket chronometer series appears to have started around no. 1600 in the year 1800 (see op. cit. p. 157). Mercer goes on to write that the going barrel in the present watch distinguishes this chronometer from John Roger Arnold’s earlier pieces, noting that Arnold had begun to use a going barrel in 1807 in his Marine chronometers (see op. cit. p. 157).

For a note on John Roger Arnold, see lot 56.