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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Barraud London "Cornhill" Yellow Gold Openface Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This openface pocket watch is catalogued by Christie's under the title Barraud London "Cornhill" and assigned a date of circa 1840. The watch is cased in yellow gold with an overall diameter of 49 mm. It features a gold dial detailed with an engine-turned center, Roman numerals, and a subsidiary seconds display located above the 6 o'clock position. The source records that the watch is key-wound with time-only functions and includes an accompanying winding key.

Yellow gold openface pocket watch attributed to Barraud London, circa 1840
Yellow gold openface pocket watch attributed to Barraud London, circa 1840 — Christie’s. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Barraud London
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
247
Source-reported date
circa 1840
Source-reported place
United Kingdom

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

Identity and Classification

This open-face pocket watch is catalogued by Christie's under the title Barraud London "Cornhill" and assigned a date of circa 1840. The piece is catalogued with time-only functions and yellow gold case material.

While the auction entry designates the piece under Barraud London "Cornhill", specific maker signatures or inscriptions on the movement or dial are not visible in the available front-facing photograph and rely on auction documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “BARRAUD LONDON "CORNHILL", YELLOW GOLD OPENFACE POCKET WATCH”
  • “CIRCA: 1840”
  • “FUNCTIONS: Time only”

Case and Dial Architecture

The pocket watch features an openface yellow gold case measuring 49 mm in diameter, complete with a top pendant and round bow at the 12 o'clock position. Christie's condition report notes the presence of "hallmarks and numbers to the inside cover", though these markings are not visible externally.

The dial is described as gold, showing an engine-turned textured pattern across its central zone. It is surrounded by an outer chapter ring with dark Roman numeral hour markers and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock bearing Arabic numerals, paired with darkened hands including an ornate open loop detail on the hour hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE MATERIAL: Yellow gold”
  • “CASE DIAMETER: 49 mm.”
  • “DIAL: Gold”
  • “Engine-turned textured pattern occupying the central zone of the gold dial”
  • “hallmarks and numbers to the inside cover”

Movement and Operational Notes

The catalog entry records a key-wound movement, accompanied by a winding key mentioned in the condition report. Caliber details, escapement architecture, and internal engravings are not specified in the listing.

Regarding mechanical status, the seller's condition report claims that the movement was ticking at the time of cataloguing with a very slow balance action, advising that a service is required after extended disuse.

Evidence for this section
  • “MOVEMENT: Key-wound”
  • “The movement is ticking at the time of cataloguing, with a very slow balance action.”
  • “A service is required as the watch has not been used in a long time.”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks, date letters, casemaker sponsor marks, and serial numbers are stamped inside the case cover?
  • Does the movement plate bear a signature, serial number, or escapement designation identifying the Barraud workshop?
  • What specific escapement type (such as an English lever or cylinder escapement) is fitted to the movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Barraud London "Cornhill" Yellow Gold Openface Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case MaterialYellow gold“CASE MATERIAL: Yellow gold”
Case Diameter49 mm“CASE DIAMETER: 49 mm.”
Dial MaterialGold“DIAL: Gold”
MovementKey-wound“MOVEMENT: Key-wound”
Circa1840“CIRCA: 1840”
FunctionsTime only“FUNCTIONS: Time only”
Inside Cover MarkingsHallmarks and numbers present“hallmarks and numbers to the inside cover.”
Accompanying ItemKey“Key: In good overall condition.”
Reported Movement StatusTicking at cataloguing with slow balance action; service required“The movement is ticking at the time of cataloguing, with a very slow balance action. A service is required as the watch has not been used in a long time.”

Visible details

  • Yellow gold openface case with top pendant and round bow at 12 o'clock
  • Engine-turned textured pattern occupying the central zone of the gold dial
  • Outer chapter ring featuring dark Roman numeral hour markers
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic ten-second numerals
  • Blued or darkened hour hand with an ornate open loop detail

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement caliber, balance, and escapement components are not visible in the photo
  • Case interior hallmarks and maker signatures are not shown and rely entirely on the source condition report

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

Consulted source

BARRAUD LONDON "CORNHILL", YELLOW GOLD OPENFACE POCKET WATCH, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 9d4c714528

Terms in this record

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

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