Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Antique Silver Open Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch features a silver case measuring 54 mm in diameter and weighing 144.08 grams. According to the source, the case is hallmarked for Chester in 1911 with maker's mark GSB for George Stephen Burt, while the suspension bow displays a different hallmark. The white enamel dial is set with black Roman numerals, gilt hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial that lacks its seconds hand. The watch contains a swing-out movement signed with number 479142, reported as working at the time of cataloguing.

Front view of the silver open-face pocket watch showing the enamel dial and gilt hands
Front view of the silver open-face pocket watch showing the enamel dial and gilt hands — Lawsons. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
George Stephen Burt
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
339
Source-reported date
1911
Source-reported place
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
479142

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 Construction and Hallmarking

The timepiece is housed in a silver case with a diameter of 54 mm and a weight of 144.08 grams. The case band features a ribbed or reeded coin-edge finish. Source documentation states the case is hallmarked for Chester 1911, with the maker's mark 'GSB' for George Stephen Burt.

A rounded silver suspension bow is attached to the pendant. The cataloguer notes that this component displays a hallmark that differs from that of the primary case.

Evidence for this section
  • “case hallmarked Chester 1911, GSB, George Stephen Burt, bow with different hallmark”
  • “diam. 54mm”
  • “wt. 144.08g”

Dial and Visual Features

The watch features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and gilt hands. An outer minute track is also present.

The watch is configured with a sunken subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock; this register currently lacks a seconds hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “enamel dial, Roman numerals and gilt hands with subsidiary seconds dial missing seconds hand”

Mechanism and Operational Status

The timepiece contains a swing-out movement signed with the number 479142. Photographic evidence provided does not show the internal movement.

The movement was reported to be in working order at the time of the auction cataloguing.

Evidence for this section
  • “swing out movement signed 479142”
  • “working at time of cataloguing”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the differing hallmark on the suspension bow compared to the main case?
  • Can the serial number 479142 be definitively linked to a specific movement caliber used by George Stephen Burt in 1911?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Antique Silver Open Face Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case HallmarksChester 1911, GSB, George Stephen Burt“case hallmarked Chester 1911, GSB, George Stephen Burt, bow with different hallmark”
Movement Number479142“swing out movement signed 479142”
Diameter54mm“diam. 54mm”
Weight144.08g“wt. 144.08g”
Dial FeaturesEnamel dial with Roman numerals and gilt hands, missing seconds hand“enamel dial, Roman numerals and gilt hands with subsidiary seconds dial missing seconds hand”
Auction Lot339“Lot 339”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track.
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock lacking its register hand.
  • Ribbed or reeded coin-edge finish along the case band.
  • Rounded silver suspension bow attached to pendant, showing impressed hallmark stamps.

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement and interior hallmarks are not visible in the supplied photograph.
  • Source notes the subsidiary seconds hand is missing.
  • The bow bears a hallmark different from the main case according to the cataloguer.

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: AN ANTIQUE SILVER OPEN FACE POCKET WATCH

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record ca6e7aad5b

Terms in this record

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

Other open-face pocket watch records