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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Keyless wind open face pocket watch

An 18k Gold Keyless Wind Open Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This is an 18k gold keyless wind open face pocket watch measuring 48 mm in diameter, documented with a Chester hallmark for 1908. It features a polished round case housing a white dial with black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer minute track, blued steel spade hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The auction catalog reports that the cuvette bears a presentation engraving dated October 24, 1908, reading 'Presented by residents of Woburn Sands & district to G.H Smith for bravery in rescuing life'. The movement is described as a gilt 3/4 plate Swiss lever movement numbered 60841.

Dial and front view of the 18k gold open face pocket watch
Dial and front view of the 18k gold open face pocket watch — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.liveauctioneers.com
Category
Pocket watch · Keyless wind open face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
0220
Source-reported date
1908
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
60841

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

Case and External Features

The watch is an 18k gold open face pocket watch with a polished round case measuring 48mm. It bears a Chester hallmark dated to 1908.

The cuvette features a presentation engraving: 'Presented by residents of Woburn Sands & district to G.H Smith for bravery in rescuing life OCT 24th 1908'. The exterior exhibits surface scratches and areas of discoloration.

Evidence for this section
  • “An 18K gold keyless wind open face pocket watch”
  • “Date: Chester Hallmark for 1908”
  • “Size: 48mm”
  • “Case: Polished round, presentation engraving to cuvette, No.60841”
  • “Case: Surface scratches throughout, discoloured in places, engraving reads 'Presented by residents of Woburn Sands & district to G.H Smith for bravery in rescuing life OCT 24th 1908'”

Dial and Hands

The white dial displays black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The watch uses blued steel spade hands.

Condition reporting identifies surface debris and hairline cracks at the 10 o'clock position on the dial. The hands are noted as tarnished.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: White, black Roman numeral hour markers, black outer minute track, subsidiary seconds at 6, blued steel spade hands”
  • “Dial: Surface debris, hairline cracks at 10”
  • “Hands:Tarnished throughout”

Movement and Technical Status

The timepiece contains a gilt 3/4 plate Swiss lever movement with a cut and compensated bi-metallic balance, identified by the number 60841.

The movement is not currently running and the mechanism cannot be wound. The glass covering the dial shows prominent surface scratches and small nicks throughout.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: Gilt 3/4 plate Swiss lever, cut & compensated bi-metallic balance, No.60841”
  • “Movement: Not currently running, cannot be wound”
  • “Glass: Prominent surface scratches and small nicks throughout”

Open research questions

  • Are there municipal or news archives for Woburn Sands & district confirming the reported rescue event by G.H. Smith in 1908?
  • Does the Swiss lever movement serial number 60841 correspond to a known manufacturer active in the UK market in 1908?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for An 18k Gold Keyless Wind Open Face Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Date / HallmarkChester Hallmark for 1908“Date: Chester Hallmark for 1908”
Movement DescriptionGilt 3/4 plate Swiss lever, cut & compensated bi-metallic balance, No.60841“Movement: Gilt 3/4 plate Swiss lever, cut & compensated bi-metallic balance, No.60841”
Case Size48mm“Size: 48mm”
Cuvette EngravingPresented by residents of Woburn Sands & district to G.H Smith for bravery in rescuing life OCT 24th 1908“engraving reads 'Presented by residents of Woburn Sands & district to G.H Smith for bravery in rescuing life OCT 24th 1908'”
AccompanimentsFitted case“Accompaniments: Fitted case”
Serial Number60841“No.60841”

Visible details

  • White dial with black Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock
  • Blued steel spade hands and outer minute track
  • Polished circular gold bezel framing the crystal
  • Fluted gold winding crown and round bow at the 12 o'clock position with stamped markings on the pendant neck

Research qualifications

  • Movement and cuvette inscription are not visible in the provided front photograph.
  • Source notes the movement is not currently running and cannot be wound, with hairline cracks at 10 on the dial.

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

Consulted source

An 18k Gold Keyless Wind Open Face Pocket Watch Chester Hallmark For 1908 - Sep 9, 2026 | Bonhams In Grb

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 6109ae2c74

Terms in this record

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