David Walter
250
Just to make it very clear this is NOT, repeat Not a..........
Daniels Co-Axial escapement, as several other purists have noted.
It is the Daniels Double Wheel Chronometer escapement which George had developed some years prior to the Co-Axial.
I saw the prototype of this 10 years ago as did several others, and was very much taken by the development of the movement, many of us have been waiting to see the final watch which now appears to be here.
Frodsham has made many superb watches and clocks.
I have attached a photo of a Frodsham, 31 day travelling Chronometer Ca. 1890. It is one of 7 Frodsham made and is the only one that is 31 days going and has a Spring Detent escapement, plus is has a Duo in Uno hairspring and Frodshams balance with auxiliary temperature compensation.
What do people think of the Frodsham chronometer with George Daniels escapement?
All opinions welcome, particularly articulate ones, but inarticulate or incoherent responses will also be considered! ...
Dial and hands look good ...
Dial with applied blued-steel numerals looks minute and hour hands have the same treatment and are of equal length. The movement looks very clean in its design. Some may expect a more elaborate finish. The case design is not to my personal taste but that...
The watch was only released
6 days ago. Production will be between 10 to 12 a year so very much in the footsteps of RW Smith, or perhaps vice versa since Frodsham has a much longer horological history.
The dial is ceramic
I just spoke to a most helpful member of staff at Charles Frodsham. I shall attempt to try it on when I visit London in May. This post has been quite important as it has enriched my watch knowledge with a famous name, apparently they are the world's longe...
Apparently enamel was not used
as it is prone to cracking and against Frodsham's self stated quest for the dial is made with a type of zirconia ceramic which is exceptionally hard and tough (rated at 1500 Knoop or eight times harder than tool steel!) You can tell the above information...
Many thanks, Sham!
Please try to take a photo or two when you try it on. I will await your take on it!
Absolutely Spangles.
I have an appointment with Frodsham on 4 May and am looking forward to trying on the stainless steel version. The short curved lugs are a bonus but they have confirmed that the case cannot be made in any size but 42.2mm.
Looking forward to it!
And wrist pics, even it's too big! I didn't say below, but, for other readers, stainless steel is £60,000.
are you asking for something like YeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well, it sounds interesting. Co-axial - from my limited knowledge is only a benefit if it is extremely precicely executed since it has almost no margin for error according to a recent interview with Roger W Smith. I suppose its that kind watch. movement l...
Very Beautiful Watch!!
I like the watch very much. The dial and the movement are both down very beautifully and it seems to be very finely finished. I do not particularly like the crown though, but I do like the 6 o'clock position of it (I have always had a soft spot for watche...
I like what I see, beautiful watch.
Beautiful dial, beautiful blued numerals and hands. An outstanding gorgeous movement, a pleasure to see it working even for a few moments, I've enjoyed it. A bit too large for my taste. I guess a longer lasting power reserve would have been much appreciat...
Mud puppies sitting poolside eating grilled cheese have little use for telling time with any accuracy...
You've had too many articulate opinions so I decided to go for incoherent. Hope this helps. Emil
A Charles Frodsham video is here: http://frodsham.com/wristwatch/index.php
The Charles Frodsham movements appear beautifully elegant, but the dials may be spoilt by the fat numerals and the cases by the eccentric crowns.
How much?
Because it's clear that the movement is a true masterpiece, that big escapement wheel is mesmerizing. I find a bit odd the choice of pairing an "old pocket watch look" with Arabic numerals. I agree a smaller case (38-40 mm) would be better, because thickn...
A smaller case would definitely have been great
but the movement is of a particular size due to its complexity and the case could not have been made smaller. When I pay them a visit in May, I will still try to ask if a 39mm case is at all possible?!!
Oh wow! Have been emailing them literally for years about this watch
Glad it’s finally seeing the light of day, 9 years after the first prototypes IIRC. Must find a way to see it in person. Thanks for sharing! Brandon
Checked out their website...
That is a stunning looking piece, particularly with Romans! I’m partial to white enamel with romans 😜 I suspect that the video is CGI... I’m eager to see and hear more about this. Thanks for the heads up! Cheers, Tim
Just to be clear it’s not a co-axial
It’s a double direct impulse escapement with independent trains invented by Daniels...the immediate predecessor of the Co-Axial. This is using a wristwatch-sized version of the escapement from the Space Traveller. The first time this has found its way int...
Outstanding
I had never heard of this company and I’m very impressed. Looking forward to learning more! Is it a double impulse occurring at the same time once per oscillation? Looks to be the case by the pace of the seconds sweep.
Notes on Frodsham and the Escapement:
Frodsham was near the pinnacle of British horology in its day. For example, in 1913, a Frodsham watch, number 09182, set the highest mark ever recorded by a British watch at the Kew/Teddinging Observatory, with a score of 93.9. They relied heavily on move...
Update: I wrote and heard back from them about lead times and prices
They were very nice, here is what they wrote: "We will be constructing watches to order, with a production capability of about 10-12 per year. The lead time (from time of order) is currently 9-12 months, and the prices for the gold models are: £65,500 for...
Finally! I have visited them years ago (almost 10 years ago...) when this movement was in development. Here are 2 images I took...
I cannot wait to see this one finally coming ot fruitition! Much progress in fine details has been made in the meantime, obviously. I am really glad they had the stamina to go through this. Best, Magnus ...
There seems to be extremely good craftsmanship behind the watches!
But I am not too keen on the design. I am much more classic, and it looks a bit quirky to me, too much 'classic with a twist'. Best, É.
Yes, the fact that they managed to use the escapement is both interesting and surprising!
The contract with omega was very tight, as described by G Daniels in his book: some for himself, some for Roger Smith, and the rest for Omega. There was no room for someone else I thought! Have you got more news? Are you thinking of purchasing one? Best. ...
I think there is no problem... it’s a different escapement!
Omega (& a bit Daniels and Smith) used the Coaxial Escapement. This new piece by Frodsham uses Daniels‘ Double Impulse Chronometer Escapement, which is entirely different (the latter is entirely symmetrical, which is an easy giveaway). Best, Magnus
Omega's patents on the co-ax are probably expired, but this is different
As Magnus and Brandon explained so well. I'm interested! Not sure if I will buy this one, but having a look at Voutilainen, RWS, Struthers, this, an FPJ or come to my senses and keep saving!
Just to make it very clear this is NOT, repeat Not a..........
Daniels Co-Axial escapement, as several other purists have noted. It is the Daniels Double Wheel Chronometer escapement which George had developed some years prior to the Co-Axial. I saw the prototype of this 10 years ago as did several others, and was ve...
Are there any disadvantages to this double impulse escapement versus the co-axial
Not that the co-axial doesn't have its own issues.
