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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Charles E. Graves & Co. 18K Yellow Gold Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This is an open-face pocket watch documented by Freeman's with retailer signature Charles E. Graves & Co., Chicago, dating source-reported to circa the 1900s. The watch features an 18k yellow gold case stamped with case number 3356 on both the inner case back and inner cuvette. The white dial displays stylized Arabic numerals, dark spade hands, a subsidiary seconds track at 6 o'clock, and the retailer's imprint beneath 12 o'clock. The manual-wind Swiss movement is stated to carry 21 jewels and serial number 231300.

Dial and case front of the Charles E. Graves & Co. open-face pocket watch
Dial and case front of the Charles E. Graves & Co. open-face pocket watch — Freeman's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.liveauctioneers.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Charles E. Graves & Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
0342
Source-reported date
Circa 1900s
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
231300

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

Physical Description

This open-face pocket watch is cased in 18K yellow gold. It features a white dial signed 'CHAS. E. GRAVES & Co.' beneath the 12 o'clock position, accompanied by italicized Arabic numeral hour markers and a peripheral minute track.

The timepiece utilizes dark spade-style hour and minute hands along with a dark sub-seconds hand. A subsidiary seconds subdial is positioned above the 6 o'clock marker and includes Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial signed 'CHAS. E. GRAVES & Co.' below 12 o'clock”
  • “Italicized Arabic numeral hour markers paired with a peripheral minute track”
  • “Subsidiary seconds subdial positioned above 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals”
  • “Dark pear/spade-style hour and minute hands with a dark sub-seconds hand”

Construction and Markings

The case is documented as being stamped with the number 3356 on both the inner case back and the inner cuvette. The cuvette features a personalized engraving.

The movement is a manual-wind Swiss mechanism marked with the retailer's imprint, 21 jewels, and the serial number 231300.

Evidence for this section
  • “Stamps: Inner case back: 18K 3356. Inner cuvette: 18K 3356.”
  • “Personalized engraving present on cuvette.”
  • “Movement: CHAS. E. GRAVES & Co. CHICAGO 21 JEWELS 231300 SWISS.”

Condition and Attribution

The watch is dated to circa the 1900s. Source notes indicate light scratching consistent with age and use.

At the time of cataloguing, the watch was reported to wind, set, and run, though it has not been timed for accuracy. The authenticity of individual parts is not guaranteed.

Evidence for this section
  • “Year: Circa 1900s”
  • “Light scratching throughout consistent with age and use.”
  • “The watch winds, sets, and runs at the time of cataloguing but has not been timed for accuracy.”
  • “The authenticity of individual parts is not guaranteed”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific movement caliber of the 21-jewel Swiss mechanism?
  • Are there records linking the serial number 231300 to a specific manufacturer contracted by Charles E. Graves & Co.?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Charles E. Graves & Co. 18K Yellow Gold Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerCharles E. Graves & Co.“Maker: Charles E. Graves & Co.”
Case Number3356“Case number: 3356”
Movement Number231300“Movement number: 231300”
Case Material18K yellow gold“Case material: 18K yellow gold”
Movement StampsCHAS. E. GRAVES & Co. CHICAGO 21 JEWELS 231300 SWISS“Movement: CHAS. E. GRAVES & Co. CHICAGO 21 JEWELS 231300 SWISS.”
Gross Weight40.95 dwt“Gross weight: 40.95 dwt.”

Visible details

  • White dial signed 'CHAS. E. GRAVES & Co.' below 12 o'clock
  • Italicized Arabic numeral hour markers paired with a peripheral minute track
  • Subsidiary seconds subdial positioned above 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals
  • Dark pear/spade-style hour and minute hands with a dark sub-seconds hand
  • Polished yellow gold open-face case with top pendant, fluted crown, and oval suspension bow

Research qualifications

  • Movement, inner case back, and cuvette markings are not visible in the supplied photograph and rely entirely on source cataloguing
  • Source notes light scratching throughout consistent with age and use, as well as a personalized engraving on the cuvette
  • Source reports the movement was not timed for accuracy and does not guarantee authenticity of individual parts

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

Consulted source

Charles E. Graves & Co., 18k Yellow Gold Pocket Watch - Sep 30, 2026 | Freeman's In Il

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 5410fbbb26

Terms in this record

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

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