Frodsham

William Parkinson and William James Frodsham

In 1801 William Frodsham, the elder, set up his grandson, William James (father of Charles Frodsham, see below), in business and in partnership with William Parkinson and thus was born Parkinson & Frodsham, one of the best known names in chronometer making. William Frodsham (the son) died before his father in the 1805 and John Frodsham, his son, took his father’s place in the partnership. Parkinson & Frodsham commenced business at 4 Change Alley, Cornhill where they remained until 1890.

William Parkinson died in 1842 and the business was continued by William James Frodsham who handed it over to his two sons, George and William, in 1847, the year that those sons were admitted to the Clockmakers’ Company. The business prospered over the years and they were as highly thought of during the time they were active as they are today. They exhibited at the Paris Exhibition in 1867, the Le Havre Exhibition in 1868, Calcutta in 1883 and again at Paris in 1889 and so as can be seen they were internationally renowned.

In addition to their address in 4 Change Alley, Cornhill, Parkinson & Frodsham opened a branch in Liverpool in 1828 firstly at 54 Castle Street and then 38 Castle Street in 1828.

This business continued until 1858 when Henry Frodsham died. Thereafter, his wife continued the business in partnership with Robert Keen and in 1869 it was changed to Frodsham & Keen, the name which it kept until 1935 when it closed.

Charles Frodsham (15.04.1810 – 1871)

Born as third son of William James Frodsham, one of the founders of the firm Parkinson & Frodsham (see above). He was apprenticed to his father on 14.7.1824, for seven years. As apprentice, in 1830/1 he submitted two chronometers for the ‘Premium Trials’, his No. 2 won the second price. At 23 he became fellow of the Royal Astronomical society. From 1831 to 1834 his address was ‘Change Alley’, the same as ‘Parkinson & Frodsham’. In 1843, after the death of John – Roger Arnold , Frodsham was able to buy Arnold’s firm at 84 Strand, almost next door to E.J Dent who was at No. 82. The manufacture was founded by John Arnold, a contemporary and friend of A. – L. Breguet and later led by his son John Roger Arnold. John Roger was pupil of his father and later apprentice of A. – L. Breguet in Paris. The business was called ‘Arnold and Frodsham’ an the output was signed ‘Arnold Frodsham until 1858, when it became ‘Charles Frodsham’.

In 1850 he introduced a new series of calibers. All watches made in Frodsham’s workshop after 1850 are marked with AD.Fmsz on the dial and the backplate. This movement is dated 1849 because of the lacking mark.

Frodsham’s demonstration double-escapement skeleton clock, numbered 883, manufactured for the Great Exhibition of 1851, is believed to be unique.