Maker, James Arthur. New York, USA, 1901, serial number 1. Astronomical regulator with unique tri-dial design, Graham deadbeat escapement with Wagner rocking frame, 60-second remontoire, one second compensated pendulum, wheels and frame fabricated from bronze. Arthur made seven of these, this being the first and having a dedication plate in honor of his son Daniel Arthur, dated June 13, 1901. Three are known to survive ¹. Case dimensions 17.5"w x 81"h x 12"d.

The wheels of the movement display a variety in the number of spokes from four to ten. This is certainly a whimsy on the part of Arthur to introduce visual interest. Another feature is the wheel design. The wheel rims are wider that the spokes so there is a chamfer where the spoke meets the wheel hub. This is a rather difficult feature to produce and he may have drew his inspiration for this from Charles Fasoldt; America's finest precision clock maker who also was located in New York. The Wagner rocking frame remontoire is visible running across the top of the triangular shaped movement. Note the serial numbering on the frame apex. All major parts have the same matching number.

The upper, left remontoire wheel has six spokes

The lower right wheel here has eight spokes. The remontoire fan is visible just above that wheel.

The Graham deadbeat escapement has fully removable and adjustable pallets. The overall large and robust construction of the movement makes the escapement sound like that from a tower clock.

The rear lower, right hand wheel displays ten spokes.

The rear of the remontoire rocking cage is visible across the top of the movement.

1. In addition to this example, one is in a private collection on the East coast of the USA and one example belongs to the great granddaughter of Arthur's other son John Forbes Arthur and two are in the collection of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) Museum in Columbia, PA.