A pendulum chain for a Watkins Queen Bee Exposure meter.
Watkins
Category
Photographic technology
Date
1903 - 1905
Materials
Metal, Silver plate
Measurements
35 mm (Width) x 3 mm (Depth); 312 mm (Length)
Place of origin
Hereford
Order this imageCollection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1525056.2
Summary
A pendulum chain for a Watkins Queen Bee Exposure meter. Watkins claim was that the chain pendulum was far superior to a watch for counting seconds or half seconds as there is no need to look at it, its beats being counted by touch. The Queen Bee was a de-luxe version of the Bee, silver plated with engraved, rather than stamped, figures. The dial was of ivorine with a print of a Bee on it. Early versions, up to around 1910, have two comparison tints later only a single tint was used. Early models were sold with a fitted case and pendulum.
Provenance
Part of the Fenton Collection. A gift from British Film Institute in 2017. From 1986-1999, part of BFI collection for the Museum of the Moving Image. BFI purchased collection in 1986 from James Fenton's Museum of Photography, Port Erin, Isle of Man 1976-1986
Makers and roles
Watkins , manufacturer