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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Verge fusee pocket watch

British Sterling Silver Open Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This British sterling silver open face pocket watch has a stated case diameter of 54.00 mm. The white dial displays bold black Roman numeral hour markers and an outer minute chapter ring. The watch is powered by a key-wound and key-set gilt verge fusee movement signed L. Thompson Darlington, bearing movement number 939. Source documentation records a polished case back with a pair case attachment, inner case back stamps comprising British hallmarks and a JJ maker's mark, and additional British hallmarks stamped on the stem. Accompanied by a key, the timepiece has a total recorded weight of 110.65 dwt.

Front view of the British sterling silver open face pocket watch showing the dial, hands, and stem hallmark
Front view of the British sterling silver open face pocket watch showing the dial, hands, and stem hallmark — Freeman's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
freemansauction.com
Category
Pocket watch · Verge fusee pocket watch
Maker / attribution
L. Thompson
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
119
Source-reported date
Not established
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
939

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

This timepiece is an open face pocket watch with a rounded sterling silver case and a reported diameter of 54.00 mm. It features a polished case back and a top hinge structure. The watch is equipped with a silver bow, pendant, and stem, which bears a hallmark stamp below the neck.

Documentation indicates the presence of an inner case back stamp featuring British hallmarks and a 'JJ' maker's mark. While the source description references a pair case attachment, this component is not depicted in the provided visual material.

Evidence for this section
  • “54.00 mm case diameter”
  • “Rounded sterling silver case with top hinge structure”
  • “Inner case back stamp: (British hallmarks) (JJ maker's mark).”
  • “with pair case attachment”

Dial and Hands

The watch features a white dial with bold black Roman numeral hour markers and an outer chapter ring intended for minute tracking.

The time is displayed via a spade-pattern hour hand and a straight minute hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “white dial, black Roman numerals with outer chapter ring calibrated for minutes”
  • “Spade-pattern hour hand paired with a straight minute hand”

Mechanism

The timepiece utilizes a key-wound and key-set gilt verge fusee movement. The movement is signed 'L. Thompson Darlington' and is identified by the number 939.

The movement is not visible in the provided front-facing photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “key wound and set gilt verge fusee movement signed L. Thompson Darlington”
  • “Movement number: 939”

Open research questions

  • What is the identity of the 'JJ' maker's mark?
  • What are the specific details of the British hallmarks found on the stem and inner case?
  • What is the operational function of the referenced pair case attachment?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for British Sterling Silver Open Face Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case diameter54.00 mm“54.00 mm case diameter”
Movement typeKey wound and set gilt verge fusee“key wound and set gilt verge fusee movement”
Movement signatureL. Thompson Darlington“signed L. Thompson Darlington”
Movement number939“Movement number: 939”
Total weight110.65 dwt“110.65 dwt.”
Inner case stampsBritish hallmarks and JJ maker's mark“Inner case back stamp: (British hallmarks) (JJ maker's mark).”
Stem stampBritish hallmarks“Stem stamp: (British hallmarks).”
Included AccessoriesKey“Accompanied by a key.”

Visible details

  • White dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute chapter ring
  • Spade-pattern hour hand paired with a straight minute hand
  • Silver bow, pendant, and stem with visible hallmark stamp below the spherical neck
  • Rounded sterling silver case with top hinge structure

Research qualifications

  • The internal verge fusee movement and inner case back hallmarks are not visible in the front-facing photograph
  • The pair case attachment reported in the auction catalogue is not depicted separately

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

Consulted source

BRITISH, STERLING SILVER OPEN FACE POCKET WATCH | Freeman's

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 5edf8d253f

Terms in this record

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

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