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Is this madness? When there isn't a live picture of the watch you're waiting for: Charles Frodsham edition.

 

The Chas Frodsham Double Impulse Chronometer Wristwatch comes in a few metal and dial variations. But the one I've ordered has no live pictures on the web I can find, so I've clumsily made my own on my phone...



Here is the Arabic numeral dial with 22k cold-rolled gold (supposed to be as hard as 18k)




The stainless steel case (18k wg is another option) may be the most popular choice for purists. I find that I end up with watches aren't the popular choices, but you gotta follow your heart. I'm surprised my heart doesn't have a date window!




On the left is the dial with optional cyphers from awards CF has won, iirc. On the right is the roman numeral dial in rose gold.




Here we come to it, I have ordered the 22k case with roman dial, which I guess nobody has so far? There isn’t a single live picture I've found. So...




A little android phone image adjustment and...well, it’s not ideal, but maybe an idea of it?




I’ve also tried pasting one dial onto a picture of the other, which hasn't come out so well on my phone but the metal color is correct, at least.




Well, at least I tried!




Here’s a mock-up from CF themselves




Enough of that and onto the movement




Thanks to SJX, Deployant, and folks on IG for these.














More info: www.qpmagazine.com

And: This:
watchesbysjx.com

Plus this:
watchesbysjx.com Hope everyone enjoys! Let me know which version you like and why it's the stainless steel case arabics dial! Has anyone else done something like this for a watch? Let me know!

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Charles FrodshamDouble Impulse Chronometer
43 Comments view entire thread 

Firstly

 
By: sham1 : April 16th, 2020-09:10
allow me to congratulate you on your forthcoming Charles Frodsham, a very special watch indeed. I did post something on this a while back and this watch ticked all the right boxes for me apart from its 42mm case. I loved the watch to the extent where I tr... 

Always glad to hear your thoughts.

 
By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : April 16th, 2020-10:01
When I finally have the pleasure of meeting you, I'll expect a 2m tall, ripplingly muscled leopard in an immaculate suit, picking his teeth with the carved penis bone of a lion. That's my imagined portrait. You're certainly right about the Frodsham, it is... 

I was in stitches for a few minutes! :-)

 
By: sham1 : April 16th, 2020-21:22
I think I need to correct your perception of me to a 1.5 metre overweight midget with poor dress sense and a hairstyle all gone wrong impersonating a walk resembling Donald Duck! The 22 carat yellow gold model is unique in the industry. May I ask how long... 

But still a leopard!

 
By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : April 17th, 2020-05:55
Someone on IG commented that the waiting list is 5 years, but that may not be accurate. It was 3 years as of last summer, so it may not be inaccurate, either. The RWS is extraordinary and even for a watch to be mentioned in the same breath is an honor. Ce... 

Oh wow!

 
By: sham1 : April 17th, 2020-06:17
Obviously two contrasting styles to drive a watch and both originating from the same man, the great George Daniels. If they made the Frodsham in 40mm, I would be sending my money over!

I wish they could make 40mm as well, even if 42mm will definitely fit my wrist!

 
By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : April 17th, 2020-06:25
They are also very open and honest (in all things) that due to materials and work costs going up over 5 years, prices will go up a bit.

Yes they told me that too

 
By: sham1 : April 17th, 2020-07:42
when I met them a few years back and I believe prices have gone up once since the watches were released. Hopefully, they will produce another watch one day at 40mm or smaller. I love their ethos and direction.

Thank you for posting these photos

 
By: toxly347 : April 16th, 2020-09:31
Mechanically interesting. Nothing superfluous. Congratulations on your choice.

That's for sure!

 
By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : April 16th, 2020-10:04
I don't think there's another high end watch where the hour and minute hands are exactly the same length (from a 19th century CF pocketwatch design). And the movement has never been used in a wristwatch before.

That dial choice

 
By: TeutonicCarFan : April 16th, 2020-12:22
indeed my favorite. Love how the Roman's are done. A brand I do not know, but I am really digging. Can't wait to see finished product.

I agree with your combination...

 
By: mdg : April 16th, 2020-13:48
...as it mirrors mine if I were to get this. The rolled gold is a very cool concept and I don't know why others don't offer it...and the Romans are classy. My only concern is the size. While I don't have a small wrist, 42mm seems very large for such an el... 

I appreciate the vote of confidence!

 
By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : April 16th, 2020-14:13
And the discussion is both sharp and relevant. I agree that a well sized watch is very nice. Breguet has a few thin dress watches, their basic 7147 is around 7.5mm thick, 40mm across. In this case...the case size is due to the double impulse movement. The... 

I'm curious what people think of the movement finishing on this

 
By: jleno : April 16th, 2020-15:00
The dial, hands, and case look terrific. The black polished 3-spoke balance bridge is great as well. However, the lack of anglage and polished countersyncs for the jewels strikes me as a little odd. Is this just part of the traditional English finishing s... 

Yes, it's not in the Swiss style we are used to.

 
By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : April 16th, 2020-17:39
Roger W Smith's (and George Daniels') watches are in a similar style, lacking in anglage for the mainplates and only used as an accent. Although, as you can see, RWS does use polished countersinks. GD talked a bit about it in his books. As a P.S. when the...  

I’m looking forward to this one.

 
By: Jay (Eire) : April 16th, 2020-18:11
I hope to see it in the metal, even if you have to leave it on a table and stand 6 feet away! More seriously I feel this is a watch (for me) that must be seen in the metal to understand and appreciate it.

Thanks for your kind words!

 
By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : April 17th, 2020-06:00
It's a strange watch that doesn't play by the same rules as a Dufour, for example, at all. It really is something that I think George Daniels would have approved of (and he did, as he got to see a prototype before he passed). People often remark that the ... 

Congratulations on a fantastic piece!

 
By: xiu laba : April 16th, 2020-18:42
Loving the change in color of the numerals on the dial when view angle changes. The highlight of the watch would definitely be the movement, in particular the escapement. Can't say I'm not envious that you have this piece! Regards, Laba

Many thanks Laba!

 
By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : April 17th, 2020-06:03
The "blued" hands and markers are purple in the British style, should be fun to see. I think this watch appeals to people who have an interest in escapements.

My oh my - what a sublime watch

 
By: Spartacus : April 17th, 2020-00:19
Congratulations on a truly beautiful timepiece. I would also choose the 22k case and would take quite some time to choose between Arabic and Roman numerals. You simply cannot go wrong.

No, this not madness (ok, perhaps a little bit ;-)), it is rather

 
By: MTR : April 17th, 2020-08:19
pure addiction! Many congrats for this marvel. When will you get it? Best Thomas

Ok.

 
By: MTR : April 17th, 2020-09:11
Let’s all our fingers cross. Best Thomas

I'll add a few more pictures from IG that I've found,

 
By: Spangles - Dr. Tabby : April 21st, 2020-12:34
with thanks to the people who've shared them A unique dial with Arabic language numerals This is the first one sold From SJX Also SJX ...