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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket chronometer

Barwise Gold Pocket Chronometer

Partially verified

This Barwise pocket chronometer, dating to 1815, is housed in an 18-karat gold consular case featuring engine-turned decoration. The timepiece is signed by Barwise, London, on both the white enamel dial and the movement, and it bears the matching serial number 6741. The watch utilizes a key-wind, full-plate, fire-gilt movement equipped with a fusee and chain transmission and Harrison's maintaining power. Precision timekeeping is provided by an Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement, paired with a thermally compensated balance wheel and a blue-steel helical hairspring. The jeweling includes screwed settings and a diamond endstone mounted on the balance cock. The exterior case design incorporates dust-proof grooves on the bezel and back cover, along with a security hole positioned near the movement latch to prevent unauthorized adjustment.

View of the Barwise pocket chronometer dial, showing the gold hands, Roman numerals, and the maker's signature.
View of the Barwise pocket chronometer dial, showing the gold hands, Roman numerals, and the maker's signature. — Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket chronometer
Maker / attribution
Barwise
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1815
Source-reported place
England
Source-reported serial
6741

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 chronometer is enclosed in an 18-karat gold consular case, finished with engine-turned (guilloché) decoration. The case is designed with practical protections against environmental ingress, specifically featuring dust-proof grooves located on both the bezel and the back cover. The gold bow is also hallmarked, indicating its origin.

Security features are integrated into the case construction, notably a small hole located adjacent to the movement latch. This is intended to prevent tampering with the movement. The serial number 6741 is present on the body, aligning with the number found on the movement components.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب ساعت دارای نقش محوشده موتورچرخان (engine-turned)، حلقه و آویز طلا، و شیارهای محافظ در برابر نفوذ گردوغبار بر روی زه و درب پشت است”
  • “سوراخ کوچکی در کنار ضامن موتور تعبیه شده تا از دستکاری محافظت کند”

Movement and Escapement

The timepiece functions via a full-plate, fire-gilt movement requiring a key for winding. Power is delivered through a traditional fusee and chain mechanism, which includes Harrison’s maintaining power to ensure consistent force during the winding process. The regulation system utilizes a heavy, thermally compensated balance wheel with bimetallic arms.

The escapement is an Earnshaw-type spring detent, which is attached to a gilded base. Jewels are set in screwed settings, and a diamond endstone is situated on the balance cock.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت از نوع تمام‌پلیت طلااندود با کوک کلیدی و سازوکار زنجیر و فیوزه (fusee) است که به سیستم حفظ نیروی Harrison مجهز شده است”
  • “سیستم گریز از نوع دتانت فنری Earnshaw با پایه‌ای متصل به قطعه طلااندود بوده”
  • “یک الماس بر روی خروس ساده رقاصک هستند”

Dial and Signatures

The watch features a white enamel dial, clearly signed by the maker. The display layout includes traditional Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the bottom. The hands are crafted from gold, maintaining the aesthetic of the case.

The signature 'Barwise, London' along with the serial number 6741 is clearly visible on the dial surface. This numbering maintains consistency with the marks found on the watch case and the movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “صفحه ساعت طبق مشخصات منبع از مینای سفید ساخته شده که امضا و شماره روی آن درج گردیده است”
  • “نمایشگر زمان شامل ارقام رومی، صفحه فرعی ثانیه‌شمار و عقربه‌هایی از جنس طلا است”

Open research questions

  • What is the complete documentation regarding the 'TH' maker's mark within the London assay office records for 1815?
  • Does the specific engraving on the back cover correspond to a known owner or retailer associated with Barwise?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Barwise Gold Pocket Chronometer
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBarwise“سازنده: Barwise”
Date1815“سال ساخت: ۱۸۱۵”
Serial Number6741“شماره سریال منطبق با شماره موتور بر روی بدنه ثبت شده”
Case Material18-karat gold“جنس قاب: طلای ۱۸ عیار”
EscapementEarnshaw spring detent“سیستم گریز از نوع دتانت فنری Earnshaw”
Balance SpringHelical blue-steel“فنر رقاصک حلزونی (helical) از جنس فولاد آبی”
HallmarkLondon 1815“نشان لندن سال ۱۸۱۵ را به همراه دارد”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with subsidiary seconds and Roman numerals
  • Engine-turned exterior finish on the gold consular case
  • Gold hands including a specific subsidiary seconds indicator
  • Visible maker's mark TH and London hallmark on the bow

Research qualifications

  • The source reports the presence of a 'security hole' near the movement latch which is an unverified functional claim
  • The attribution of the movement features like the Harrison maintaining power is based on the source's description

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

Consulted source

Gold Pocket Chronometer by Barwise

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record bfad7fc0cb

Terms in this record

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

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