Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

A 1920s silver Stauffer Son & Co pocket watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch features a movement attributed by the seller to the Stauffer, Son & Co. Atlas factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds, bearing the SS&Co mark under three triangles. The movement is protected by an inner hinged cuvette cover and housed in a silver case by the Dennison Watch Case Company, bearing Birmingham hallmarks for 1925. Measuring 52.2 mm across excluding the winding stem and bow, the watch features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, an outer minute track, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.

Dial view of the silver open-face pocket watch with white enamel dial and subsidiary seconds register
Dial view of the silver open-face pocket watch with white enamel dial and subsidiary seconds register — The Vintage Wrist Watch Company via Antiques Atlas. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiques-atlas.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Stauffer, Son & Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
as170a5449
Source-reported date
1925
Source-reported place
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Hands

The open-face pocket watch features a white enamel dial with black Roman hour numerals and an outer minute track detailed with diamond markers. A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at 6 o'clock.

Time is marked by blued steel spade hands. The dial is protected by a watch glass that the vendor notes has minor marking from use, seated within a polished silver bezel.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial displaying black Roman hour numerals and outer minute track with diamond markers”
  • “Blued steel spade hour hand, matching minute hand, and subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock”
  • “The white enamel dial is in nice condition with blued steel hands, a subsidiary seconds dial and an outer minute track.”
  • “The watch glass has minor marking from use although it is in nice condition for a 1920s piece.”

Case Construction and Hallmarking

The watch is housed in an open-face silver case measuring 52.2 mm in diameter excluding the winding stem and suspension loop. It features a fluted onion winding crown at 12 o'clock and a hinged bow with visible hallmarks.

The case is reported by the seller to carry Birmingham hallmarks for 1925 along with the maker's mark for the Dennison Watch Case Company. The movement is enclosed and protected by an inner hinged cover; the seller notes light surface marks from use and a small ding to the case back.

Evidence for this section
  • “Open-face silver case with a fluted onion winding crown at 12 o'clock and hinged bow showing visible hallmarks”
  • “The watch itself measures 52.2mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
  • “The case is silver and has Birmingham hallmarks for 1925 with the makers mark for the Dennison Watch Case Company.”
  • “The movement is working nicely and it is protected by an inner hinged cover.”
  • “It is in good condition with just light surface marks from use and a small "ding" to the back.”

Movement Attribution and Seller Reports

The movement is not visible in the provided photograph, and specific calibre numbers, jewelling counts, and mechanical layouts are not recorded in this source. The seller states that the movement was manufactured in the Stauffer, Son & Co. Atlas factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds, citing the presence of the 'SS&Co beneath three triangles' mark.

According to the seller's account, this trademark was registered in 1886 and denoted Stauffer's highest-grade production, referred to as 'third quality'. The dealer also reports that the movement is running and estimates the watch dates to the early 20th century.

Evidence for this section
  • “This particular movement was made in the La Chaux-de-Fonds factory as it has the SS&Co beneath three triangles.”
  • “This mark was used on Stauffer’s own highest quality movements, known as “third quality” (which, despite how it sounds, was their very best quality).”
  • “The mark of SS&Co with the three triangles was registered in 1886 and this particular watch would date back to the early part of the 20th Century.”
  • “The movement is working nicely and it is protected by an inner hinged cover.”

Open research questions

  • What specific movement calibre and jewel count are revealed when opening the inner hinged cuvette?
  • Does the movement serial number indicate whether it was manufactured contemporaneously with the 1925 Dennison case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A 1920s silver Stauffer Son & Co pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement ManufacturerStauffer Son & Co“This particular movement was made in the La Chaux-de-Fonds factory as it has the SS&Co beneath three triangles.”
Case MakerDennison Watch Case Company“The case is silver and has Birmingham hallmarks for 1925 with the makers mark for the Dennison Watch Case Company.”
Diameter52.2mm“The watch itself measures 52.2mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
Dial MaterialWhite enamel“The white enamel dial is in nice condition with blued steel hands, a subsidiary seconds dial and an outer minute track.”
Glass ConditionMinor marking from use reported by seller“The watch glass has minor marking from use although it is in nice condition for a 1920s piece.”
PackagingSupplied in a new presentation box“The watch will be sent in a new presentation box.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial displaying black Roman hour numerals and outer minute track with diamond markers
  • Blued steel spade hour hand, matching minute hand, and subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock
  • Open-face silver case with a fluted onion winding crown at 12 o'clock and hinged bow showing visible hallmarks

Research qualifications

  • Movement signature and case interior hallmarks are reported by the seller but not visible in the front dial photograph
  • The source claims 'third quality' was Stauffer's highest grade, which relies entirely on dealer assertions

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - A 1920s Silver Stauffer Son & Co Pocket Watch. as170a5449

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8c1ec31ede

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other open-face pocket watch records