The Watch Appreciation Thread (Reviews and Photos of Men's Timepieces by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Brei

Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Grande Reserve

This has such an elegant Deco style face. What a beauty! I have been eyeing this one for a few years. I could be tempted one day especially with a leather band.

Originally Posted by jcriswel

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Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Grande Reserve

Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy

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What a bazaar comment.

Yes, that should be bizarre coho.

Originally Posted by chobochobo

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I bought this a while ago, it's a bit too 'bling' for me. The bracelet is integral in that it cannot be replaced or adjusted as far as I can tell. I liked it because it's very thin but I've no real information on this brand. Can anyone enlighten me please?

Sorry for the bump, but does anyone know anything about this watch - Bueche Girod on the last page please?

A new pocket watch--an 18kt yellow gold demi-hunter by the English maker, Charles Frodsham. Frodsham was considered one of the top English makers, specializing in chronometers and technical timepieces including ship's clocks. They were also makers to the Queen and were among the last to have actual premises in Buckingham Palace. This is from about 1850 and is a gilt quarter-plate lever fusee movement with a diamond endstone; high-grade English watches are delightfully old-fashioned. The English watchmakers were in fact, a dying industry even in the latter 19th century having been upstaged by the Swiss and Americans who had begun to use mass-produced ebauches and such--even the big names like Patek, et al.--and eschewed key-wind movements such as the very old-fashioned fusee system. The English continued to make every movement by hand thus preventing interchangeable parts. The English managed to last until the early 20th century, at which point their industry was dependent mostly on marine timepieces and watches bought by wealthy patriots. A simple gold Frodsham watch in 1897 cost 25 pounds which given inflation is about 13,000 Pounds. The chain is Victorian tortoise-shell.

Originally Posted by LabelKing

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A new pocket watch--an 18kt yellow gold demi-hunter by the English maker, Charles Frodsham. Frodsham was considered one of the top English makers, specializing in chronometers and technical timepieces including ship's clocks. They were also makers to the Queen and were among the last to have actual premises in Buckingham Palace.

This is from about 1850 and is a lever gilt quarter plate lever fusee movement with a diamond endstone; high-grade English watches are delightfully old-fashioned. The English watchmakers were in fact, a dying industry even in the latter 19th century having been upstaged by the Swiss and Americans who had begun to use mass-produced ebauches and such--even the big names like Patek, et al.--and eschewed key-wind movements such as the very old-fashioned fusee system. The English continued to make every movement by hand thus preventing interchangeable parts.

The English managed to last until the early 20th century, at which point their industry was dependent mostly on marine timepieces and watches bought by wealthy patriots. A simple gold Frodsham watch in 1897 cost 25 pounds which given inflation is about 13,000 Pounds.

The chain is Victorian tortoise-shell.
- Great contrast with the chain!

Originally Posted by el Guapo WOngO!

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- Great contrast with the chain!

I thought a gold chain looked a bit ordinary; and besides, the tortoise is rather decadent and unique. It does create a nice contrast.

Originally Posted by LabelKing

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I thought a gold chain looked a bit ordinary; and besides, the tortoise is rather decadent and unique. It does create a nice contrast.

It would look great with a 210's 3 piece suit with a liger cape.

Jon.

Originally Posted by imageWIS

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It would look great with a 210's 3 piece suit with a liger cape.

Jon.
I think this might have been a piece of Victorian mourning jewelry given the darkness of the tortoise. Even the gold parts have been polychromed to give it a dark patina.

LabelKing,

That is one beautiful pocket watch.

I am a huge fan of pocket watches and carry a smaller hunter cased Elgin from shortly after the Civil War on a daily basis.

Very nice LK

This watch incidentally needs two keys--one for winding and the other for setting the hands. I found a nice period-correct solid gold winding one, but I'm not sure about the size of the setting key.

The key pictured isn't original.

I think some serious gold hardware in the form of assorted jeweled fobs and gold keys would make a nice complement to the dark shell chain.

Originally Posted by LabelKing

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A new pocket watch--an 18kt yellow gold demi-hunter by the English maker, Charles Frodsham. Frodsham was considered one of the top English makers, specializing in chronometers and technical timepieces including ship's clocks. They were also makers to the Queen and were among the last to have actual premises in Buckingham Palace. This is from about 1850 and is a gilt quarter-plate lever fusee movement with a diamond endstone; high-grade English watches are delightfully old-fashioned. The English watchmakers were in fact, a dying industry even in the latter 19th century having been upstaged by the Swiss and Americans who had begun to use mass-produced ebauches and such--even the big names like Patek, et al.--and eschewed key-wind movements such as the very old-fashioned fusee system. The English continued to make every movement by hand thus preventing interchangeable parts. The English managed to last until the early 20th century, at which point their industry was dependent mostly on marine timepieces and watches bought by wealthy patriots. A simple gold Frodsham watch in 1897 cost 25 pounds which given inflation is about 13,000 Pounds. The chain is Victorian tortoise-shell.

I think there was around ten Frodsham chronometer/instrument makers, - they were sort of a dynasty, and all top-notch, which is why simpler instruments can have fake Frodsham markings. No doubt about this watch, though - it's great, especially the tortoiseshell chain. Some other products of the Frodsham family's work:

Yes, this is a Charles Frodsham who was the last of the dynasty. He bought out some of the other famous makers like Arnold--some earlier watches are marked Arnold.

At the age of 20, Frodsham apparently won second prize with his marine chronometer at the Greenwich Observatory Trials.

The best movements had freespung balances.

i am thinking about buying this 18k yellow gold constellation. any thoughts are appreciated. mainly i am concerned if it is a little too much given the champagne colored dial.