Deck-watch used by Capt. William Parry during his attempt to reach the North Pole, 1827

Silver spring detent escapement deck-watch in a mahogany case by Parkinson and Frodsham. White enamel dial with a subsiduary seconds dial and blued steel hands, signed 'Parkinson & Frodsham London 948' and the broad arrow mark. Flat spiral balance-spring with its stud on a flexible arm to aid the even coiling and uncoiling of the spring. Hallmarked for 1823 – 4.

This deck watch accompanied Capt. William Parry aboard ‘Hecla’ in his attempt to reach the North Pole in June 1827. Parry used ‘sledge boats’ on the ice, but they proved too heavy to push, achieving a maximum 7 miles a day. As the ice was moving south at a greater rate, he was forced to abandon his attempt at 82° 45' latitude, the furthest reached until 1876.

Clockmakers' Museum No. 447