Pocket watch · Mock pendulum pocket watch

Continental silver verge fusee mock pendulum pocket watch

Partially verified

This Continental open-face pocket watch dates to circa 1810, featuring a gilt full-plate verge fusee movement. According to the seller, the balance and escape wheel are inverted beneath the dial plate to drive a swinging mock pendulum display. The dial comprises a bright-cut engraved silver plate, an off-set white enamel subdial with Roman numerals and gilt hands, and an upper curved aperture with a blued steel backing revealing the pendulum bob. The silver case features coin-edged sides and is wound and set from the dial through the front bezel.

Dial view of the Continental silver verge fusee pocket watch showing the bright-cut silver dial and mock pendulum aperture — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.antiquesboutique.com
Category: Pocket watch · Mock pendulum pocket watch
Maker / attribution: Not established
Reference: 4.112 (AB-94012)
Catalogue / lot identifier: itm94012
Source-reported date: circa 1810
Country: Not established
Source-reported serial: 22258

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 Arrangement and Visible Presentation

The watch presents a silver dial plate decorated with bright-cut engraving and engine turning. An offset white enamel subdial is positioned in the lower section, displaying black Roman numerals, gilt hands, and an exposed square winding arbor located near II o'clock.

Above the time subdial is a curved aperture with a blued steel backing that displays a swinging steel mock pendulum bob with radiating engine turning. The open-face silver case features a hinged front bezel, an oval bow, and a ball pendant.

Evidence for this section

“Silver dial plate decorated with engine turning and bright-cut engraving”
“Off-center lower white enamel subdial with black Roman numerals and gilt hands”
“Upper crescent aperture with a dark backing revealing a radiating engine-turned mock pendulum bob”
“Above this is a curved aperture with a blue steel back and has a swinging steel mock pendulum function.”

Reported Movement and Mock Pendulum Mechanism

Internal plates and gearing are not visible in the provided photograph, but the seller reports a gilt full-plate verge fusee movement. According to the dealer description, the balance assembly and escape wheel are inverted beneath the dial rather than mounted under a balance cock on the back plate.

This inverted arrangement reportedly operates the swinging mock pendulum display on the dial side. The movement's back plate is described by the dealer as engraved and clear of a balance cock, with both winding and time setting executed by key through the front bezel.

Evidence for this section

“The balance and escape wheel are inverted (positioned upside down) so that the dial has a mock pendulum function”
“the gilt full plate verge fusee movement has an engraved back plate free of balance cock etc – this all positioned under the dial with an inverted escape wheel also.”
“wound and set on the dial and accessed through the front”

Case Details and Cataloguing Boundaries

The open-face silver case measures 55 mm in diameter by 20 mm in depth, featuring coin-edged sides and a plain, smooth back. The dealer records the case serial number as 22258.

No maker name, workshop signature, or silver hallmarks are recorded in the provided listing or visible on the dial. The geographic classification as Continental and date attribution of circa 1810 represent seller-reported claims rather than verified hallmark data.

Evidence for this section

“The watch measures 55mm wide x 20mm deep”
“The case has coin edged sides and a smooth plain finish on the back.”
“The case is numbered 22258”
“This is a Continental verge pocket watch made circa 1810”

Open research questions

Are any maker marks, town punches, or fineness hallmarks stamped on the inner case back or cuvette?
Does the back plate or movement under the dial carry any signed maker inscriptions or serial numbers matching 22258?
How is the mock pendulum physically linked to the inverted balance staff beneath the dial plate?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Continental silver verge fusee mock pendulum pocket watch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Origin and Date	Continental, circa 1810	“This is a Continental verge pocket watch made circa 1810”
Escapement Configuration	Verge fusee with inverted balance and escape wheel creating a mock pendulum	“The balance and escape wheel are inverted (positioned upside down) so that the dial has a mock pendulum function”
Case Serial Number	22258	“The case is numbered 22258”
Dimensions	55 mm wide by 20 mm deep	“The watch measures 55mm wide x 20mm deep”
Winding and Setting	Key wound and key set via the dial side	“wound and set on the dial and accessed through the front”
Reported Running Rate	Gains around 30 minutes a day but runs the full chain length	“The watch gains around 30 minutes a day but does run the full length of its chain”
Dealer Glazing Note	Domed mineral glass was removed for photography due to distortion	“Also please note, that I removed the domed glass in many of the images as it was creating distorted images of the dial”

Visible details

Silver dial plate decorated with engine turning and bright-cut engraving
Off-center lower white enamel subdial with black Roman numerals and gilt hands
Square winding arbor visible through the enamel subdial adjacent to II o'clock
Upper crescent aperture with a dark backing revealing a radiating engine-turned mock pendulum bob
Silver open-face case fitted with a ball pendant and oval bow

Research qualifications

No maker signature or hallmarks are visible on the dial or identified by the seller
Movement plates and internal mechanism are not visible in the provided photograph
Dealer removed the domed mineral glass for dial photography to prevent distortion

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

Consulted source

Silver verge fusee pocket watch with a mock pendulum c1810 in Antique Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 75dbcecefb

Terms in this record

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