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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Charles Frodsham Silver Open Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This antique English open face pocket watch by Charles Frodsham is cased in silver and hallmarked for London 1902. The watch features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, outer minute track, dark hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the six o'clock position. The dealer reports it is powered by a keyless wind, fully jewelled anchor lever movement featuring a gilt three-quarter plate, three-arm balance wheel, and steel escape wheel. Both the movement and dial are numbered 08987. The case bears the casemaker mark HMF and an engraved monogram, accompanied by a silver watch box hallmarked for London 1904.

Charles Frodsham silver open face pocket watch resting in a velvet-lined case
Charles Frodsham silver open face pocket watch resting in a velvet-lined case — Euro Antique Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiques-atlas.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Charles Frodsham
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
as834a325 / frodsham 08987
Source-reported date
1902
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
08987

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

Dial and Visual Presentation

The pocket watch features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals indicating the hours, accompanied by outer minute divisions. A subsidiary seconds dial is located at the 6 o'clock position, and the hands are finished in black. The upper portion of the dial is signed with the maker's name, London, and serial number 08987.

A gold-toned fluted winding crown is positioned beneath a silver bow showing hallmark stamps. A small pin or push-piece is visible near the bezel at roughly the 1 o'clock position. In the available photograph, the watch is seated inside a dark velvet-lined fitted case.

Evidence for this section
  • “The white enamel dial has black Roman numerals with outer minute divisions.”
  • “The dial has black hands and a subsidiary second’s dial at the six.”
  • “White enamel dial inscribed 'CHAS. FRODSHAM / LONDON / 08987' below 12 o'clock.”
  • “Gold-toned fluted winding crown situated beneath a silver bow showing hallmark stamps.”
  • “Small pin or push-piece near the bezel at roughly 1 o'clock.”
  • “Housed in a velvet-lined fitted travel or display case.”

Case Construction and Markings

The watch is cased in silver open-face housing measuring 48 mm in diameter, with a reported total weight of 102.8 grams. The external case has a smooth finish with an engraved monogram.

According to the seller's description, the inner side of the case and cuvette are hallmarked for silver London 1902 and numbered 987, bearing the casemaker initials 'HMF'. The interior is also described as signed 'Charles Frodsham & Co – London - 1902'.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch lies in a silver open face case with a smooth finish with an engraved monogram.”
  • “The inner side of the case and cuvette are hallmarked for silver London 1902 and numbered 987, with casemakers initials: HMF.”
  • “Signed: Charles Frodsham & Co – London - 1902”
  • “Diameter: 48 mm - Weight: 102.8 gr”

Reported Movement and Accompanying Box

The movement is not exposed in the visual image, but the seller reports a keyless wind, fully jewelled anchor lever movement with a gilt three-quarter plate and a three-arm balance wheel. It is described as utilizing a club-tooth, single-roller lever escapement with a steel escape wheel.

The dealer records that the movement is signed 'Charles Frodsham & Co, 115 New Bond Street, London W' and numbered 'No 08987'. Additionally, the listing notes an accompanying silver watch box hallmarked for London 1904, though the silver box itself is not shown in the primary photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “The fully jewelled anchor lever movement has a gilt three quarter plate with a three-arm balance wheel.”
  • “The keyless wind movement has a club-tooth, single-roller lever escapement with steel escape wheel.”
  • “The movement is decoratively signed: "Charles Frodsham & Co, 115 New Bond Street, London W" and numbered: No 08987.”
  • “The watch is complete in a silver watch box, hallmarked for silver London 1904.”

Open research questions

  • What specific initials form the monogram on the exterior case back?
  • Does the 1904 silver watch box bear casemaker marks or signatures matching Charles Frodsham?
  • Does the push-piece near 1 o'clock function as a pin-set hand-setting mechanism or a case latch release?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Charles Frodsham Silver Open Face Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Hallmark Date1902“hallmarked for London 1902”
Serial Number08987“numbered: No 08987”
Diameter48 mm“Diameter: 48 mm”
Weight102.8 gr“Weight: 102.8 gr”
Casemaker MarkHMF“casemakers initials: HMF”
Movement DetailsGilt three-quarter plate lever movement“fully jewelled anchor lever movement has a gilt three quarter plate with a three-arm balance wheel”
Escapement TypeClub-tooth single-roller lever escapement“The keyless wind movement has a club-tooth, single-roller lever escapement with steel escape wheel.”
Movement InscriptionCharles Frodsham & Co, 115 New Bond Street, London W“The movement is decoratively signed: "Charles Frodsham & Co, 115 New Bond Street, London W" and numbered: No 08987.”
Accompanying Box HallmarksLondon 1904“The watch is complete in a silver watch box, hallmarked for silver London 1904.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial inscribed 'CHAS. FRODSHAM / LONDON / 08987' below 12 o'clock.
  • Black Roman numeral hour markers with an outer railway minute track.
  • Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock.
  • Gold-toned fluted winding crown situated beneath a silver bow showing hallmark stamps.
  • Small pin or push-piece near the bezel at roughly 1 o'clock.
  • Housed in a velvet-lined fitted travel or display case.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and inner case hallmarks are described by the seller but not visible in the provided image.
  • The 1904 silver-fronted watch box noted by the seller is not shown in this specific photograph.

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

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - Antique Charles Frodsham Silver Pocket Watch as834a325 / frodsham 08987

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8c7e1904f1

Terms in this record

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

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