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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Duplex escapement pocket watch

Barwise Gilt Metal Duplex Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This English pocket watch, attributed to the early 19th century, was produced by the London-based watchmaker Barwise. It is constructed with a full-plate brass movement featuring a fusee and chain power transmission system and a duplex escapement. The watch is housed in a gilt-metal 'consular' case, which features a bezel and back cover sharing a common hinge. The white enamel dial displays Roman numerals for the hours and includes a subsidiary seconds dial with a blued-steel hand. Technical specifications of the movement include a four-armed gold balance wheel with a blued-steel spiral balance spring, a polished steel regulator, and a diamond endstone on the balance cock. The movement is inscribed with the maker's name, the origin 'London', and the serial number 4379, which corresponds to the number appearing on the dial.

Front view of the Barwise pocket watch showing the white enamel dial with Roman numerals and the subsidiary seconds dial.
Front view of the Barwise pocket watch showing the white enamel dial with Roman numerals and the subsidiary seconds dial. — Zamanito. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Duplex escapement pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Barwise
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
4379
Source-reported date
early 19th century
Source-reported place
England
Source-reported serial
4379

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 Dial

The watch is enclosed in a gilt-metal consular case. This design is characterized by the bezel and the back cover being mounted on a common hinge. The exterior surfaces are polished.

The dial is composed of white enamel and displays Roman numerals for the hour markers. It includes a separate subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the bottom, which is equipped with a blued-steel hand. The main hour and minute hands are finished in gold. The dial carries the serial number 4379 near the center.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب ساعت از نوع «کونسولار» (Consular) از جنس فلز با روکش طلا (Gilt metal) ساخته شده است، به‌طوری‌که زه دور شیشه و قاب پشتی هر دو بر روی یک لولای مشترک سوار شده‌اند”
  • “صفحه ساعت از مینای سفید با شماره ۴۳۷۹، اعداد رومی برای نمایش ساعات، عقربه‌های اصلی طلایی‌رنگ و یک صفحه فرعی ثانیه‌شمار با عقربه فولادی آبی‌رنگ طراحی شده است”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a full-plate brass calibre with a gold finish, designed for key-winding. Power is delivered to the train via a fusee and chain mechanism. The regulating assembly includes a polished steel regulator and a four-armed gold balance wheel paired with a blued-steel spiral balance spring.

The escapement is a duplex type, utilizing a large brass escape wheel. The balance cock is fitted with a diamond endstone, and the pivots are also jeweled.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت یک کالیبر برنجی کامل (Full plate) با روکش طلا و کوک کلیدی است که به سامانه فیوزی متصل می‌باشد”
  • “چرخ‌دنگ ساعت از نوع دوپلکس با چرخ دنگ برنجی بزرگ است و محورها دارای سنگ‌های انتهایی هستند”
  • “از ویژگی‌های فنی برجسته این موتور می‌توان به خرک رقاصک ساده همراه با سنگ انتهایی الماس (Diamond endstone)، رگولاتور فولادی صیقلی، رقاصک چهار بازوی طلایی با فنر رقاصک حلزونی از جنس فولاد آبی‌شده اشاره کرد”

Signatures and Identification

The movement is signed with the maker's name, 'Barwise', and the location 'London'. The serial number 4379 is engraved directly onto the top plate of the movement. This serial number is also present on the dial, indicating that these components are matched.

The case bears a maker's mark consisting of the letters 'AG' positioned above 'JM', which serves as an identification for the case manufacturer.

Evidence for this section
  • “نام Barwise، مبدأ London و شماره سریال No 4379 مستقیماً بر روی صفحه رویی موتور حکاکی شده است”
  • “روی قاب علامت سازنده به‌صورت «AG» بالای «JM» حک شده و شماره آن طبق منبع با شماره موتور همخوانی دارد”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific historical production timeline for the Barwise workshop in London during the early 19th century?
  • What are the precise metallurgical characteristics of the gilt metal used in the construction of the consular case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Barwise Gilt Metal Duplex Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBarwise“توسط ساعت‌ساز نامدار Barwise در لندن ساخته شده است”
Serial Number4379“شماره سریال No 4379 مستقیماً بر روی صفحه رویی موتور حکاکی شده است”
Case TypeConsular“قاب ساعت از نوع «کونسولار» (Consular) از جنس فلز با روکش طلا (Gilt metal) ساخته شده است”
EscapementDuplex“چرخ‌دنگ ساعت از نوع دوپلکس با چرخ دنگ برنجی بزرگ است”
Balance Cock JewelDiamond endstone“خرک رقاصک ساده همراه با سنگ انتهایی الماس (Diamond endstone)”
Case Maker MarkAG / JM“روی قاب علامت سازنده به‌صورت «AG» بالای «JM» حک شده”
Movement TypeFull plate“موتور ساعت یک کالیبر برنجی کامل (Full plate) با روکش طلا و کوک کلیدی است”

Visible details

  • Case back and bezel share a single common hinge mechanism
  • Dial and movement both bear the matching serial number 4379
  • Balance cock fitted with a diamond endstone
  • Movement features a polished steel regulator scale labeled 'FAST' and 'SLOW'

Research qualifications

  • The current operational condition of the fusee chain and duplex escapement is not verified
  • Absence of hairline cracks on the enamel dial is not confirmed by the source

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

Consulted source

Brass Calibre Duplex by Barwise

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 9d2c16bf7b

Terms in this record

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

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