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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

An early 19th century gold open face pocket watch

Partially verified

This gold open face pocket watch dates to the early 19th century and is housed in a three-piece case measuring 34 mm in diameter. The source reports that the case is decorated with seed pearl borders and has a chased and engraved foliate back cover set with turquoise and garnets. The gilt engine-turned dial features enamel Arabic numerals on circular cartouches, blued steel hands, and a key-winding aperture positioned at 2 o'clock. According to the auctioneer, the case marks are obscured, and the watch houses a fusee movement with an undersprung three-armed flat balance and disc regulator.

Dial view of the gold open face pocket watch showing the engine-turned face, enamel numeral cartouches, and pearl-set bezel
Dial view of the gold open face pocket watch showing the engine-turned face, enamel numeral cartouches, and pearl-set bezel — Dreweatts 1759. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.the-saleroom.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
26
Source-reported date
early 19th century
Source-reported place
Not established

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 Configuration and Appearance

The watch features a gilt engine-turned dial surrounded by an outer bezel set with seed pearls. The hours are displayed as black Arabic numerals set on circular white enamel cartouches. Direct observation shows visible wear and losses across several of these enamel cartouches.

The hands are made of dark blued steel, including a pierced decorative pattern on the hour hand. A winding aperture is positioned on the dial between the 1 and 2 o'clock positions, noted in the catalogue as located at 2 o'clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “gilt engine turned dial, enamel Arabic numerals”
  • “The dial features distinct round white enamel cartouches displaying black Arabic numerals, with visible wear or loss on several cartouches.”
  • “The hands are made of dark blued steel with a pierced hour hand.”
  • “winding aperture at 2 o'clock”

Case Construction and Ornamentation

The watch is housed in an open-face gold three-piece case with a reported diameter of 34 mm (catalogued as 'diameter 34m'). The front bezel incorporates a continuous row of small seed pearls framing the crystal.

According to the auction catalogue, the rear of the case consists of a back cover chased and engraved with foliate decoration set with turquoise and garnets. Because the provided visual record only depicts the dial, the rear case decoration and gem settings cannot be verified directly from the photo.

Evidence for this section
  • “three piece case, with seed pearl borders”
  • “A continuous row of small seed pearls is set into the bezel surrounding the crystal.”
  • “the back cover chased and engraved with foliate decoration, set with turquoise and garnets”
  • “diameter 34m”

Reported Movement and Markings

The auctioneer catalogued the timepiece as an early 19th-century gold open face pocket watch, noting that the case marks are obscured. No maker, reference, or serial numbers are recorded in the source.

The movement is reported by the saleroom as a fusee movement featuring an undersprung three-armed flat balance and a disc regulator. As the movement is not shown in the available photograph, its specific escapement, mechanical condition, and completeness remain unverified.

Evidence for this section
  • “An early 19th century gold open face pocket watch”
  • “marks obscured”
  • “fusee movement, undersprung three armed flat balance, disc regulator”

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for An early 19th century gold open face pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case ConstructionThree piece case, with seed pearl borders“three piece case, with seed pearl borders”
Case Back DecorationChased and engraved foliate decoration set with turquoise and garnets“the back cover chased and engraved with foliate decoration, set with turquoise and garnets”
Diameter34 mm“diameter 34m”
Movement TypeFusee movement with undersprung three armed flat balance, disc regulator“fusee movement, undersprung three armed flat balance, disc regulator”
DialGilt engine turned dial, enamel Arabic numerals“gilt engine turned dial, enamel Arabic numerals”
Winding ApertureAt 2 o'clock“winding aperture at 2 o'clock”
MarksMarks obscured“marks obscured”

Visible details

  • A continuous row of small seed pearls is set into the bezel surrounding the crystal.
  • The dial features distinct round white enamel cartouches displaying black Arabic numerals, with visible wear or loss on several cartouches.
  • A winding aperture penetrates the dial between the 1 and 2 o'clock positions.
  • The hands are made of dark blued steel with a pierced hour hand.

Research qualifications

  • The catalogued diameter appears as 'diameter 34m' in the source, representing 34 mm.
  • Internal hallmarks and maker's marks are noted by the source as obscured.
  • Movement and case back decoration are not visible in the provided photograph and rely entirely on auctioneer reporting.

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

Consulted source

An early 19th century gold open face pocket watch, marks obscured, fusee movement, undersprung th

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 7283232ae6

Terms in this record

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

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