sham1
8998
What is wrong with this watch?!!
May 15, 2018,05:53 AM
I had the opportunity to visit Charles Frodsham during my recent trip to London and had the pleasure of having a very long chat with Philip Whyte and Richard Stenning, the owners of the company. To those of you who have never heard of this brand, Charles Frodsham is the world's oldest producers of chronometers and have been mainly indulging in the production of pocket watches, clocks and ship chronometers. A visit to the understated shop in London's opulent St. James area is a must for lovers of carriage clocks and standing clocks, some of which are for sale.
This year, the company decided to launch a watch based on Daniels' double impulse escapement movement measuring 42mm with small curved lugs which makes the watch wearable. Only ten to twelve watches will be produced annually so not too different from the production figures of the esteemed and highly regarded watch maker in the Isle of Man, Roger W. Smith.
I felt that the watch completely filled up my wrist as shown on the photo. I would have preferred a slightly smaller watch size as I feel a dress watch should not fill up the wearer's wrist. The edges of the lugs were rather sharp while the grooves of the crown were not smooth enough when winding. I mentioned these observations to Philip and Richard who were most receptive to my observations. The movement was sublime and from the case back, one can conclude that a smaller case size would have been almost impossible. Perhaps the biggest criticism of the watch is its price that starts at £60,000 (excluding tax) for the stainless steel version to £65,500 for the yellow gold model which will be produced in 22 carat gold. Yes, this is a bargain next to a RW Smith but Mr Smith is an established and renowned watchmaker. Stiff competition is likely to come from Kari Voutlainen's Vingt 8, Rexhep Rexhepi's Chronometre Contemporain, Romain Gauthier's Insight Micro Rotor, Credor's Eichi II and the Gronefeld's Remontoire. It would take a very brave and shrewd collector in my opinion to opt for the Charles Frodsham over any of these other brands where movement construction and finishing are exemplary. Please also note that Charles Frodsham watches can only be bought and serviced at its St James shop. Of course, if one already owns all the above mentioned watches and appreciates exclusitivity, a Charles Frodsham watch would definitely be a welcome addition.
The dial is in porcelain while the hands are three dimensional. This is my preferred stainless steel model.
I need to grow my wrist for future wrist shots!!
The 22 carat yellow gold model