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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Deck watch

Cousens English Silver Deck Watch

Partially verified

This English silver deck watch is reported by the seller to have been made by Cousens, London, with English silver hallmarks dating to London 1916. The piece features an open-face silver case measuring 52 mm in diameter by 17 mm deep, housing a stem-wound, pin-set gilt three-quarter plate lever movement signed 'Cousens, 61 St, Portman Square, London' with serial number 341150 and a British broad arrow marking. An additional top-plate wheel drives the centre seconds hand on the white enamel dial, which exhibits Roman numerals and blued steel hands. Accompanied by a 120 mm by 90 mm by 40 mm mahogany box, the watch source documentation indicates purchase from the Admiralty in 1917 and service records from the Royal Observatory, Greenwich.

Dial of the Cousens deck watch viewed through the glazed aperture of its mahogany box atop naval service documentation
Dial of the Cousens deck watch viewed through the glazed aperture of its mahogany box atop naval service documentation — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Deck watch
Maker / attribution
Cousens
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
AB-235302
Source-reported date
c. 1916
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
341150

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

In the primary listing photograph, the deck watch dial is seen displayed through a circular glazed opening within a wooden box. The visible dial features black Roman numerals marking the hours, an outer track calibrated with Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals, and blued steel hands including a long centre seconds hand.

The seller reports that the white enamel dial is signed 'Cousens, London, 341150' alongside a broad arrow mark. The dealer also notes condition details not fully resolvable in the photograph, reporting 'a very light forked hairline on the 9'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial exhibits Roman numeral hour markers, an outer track numbered at five-minute intervals, and blued steel hands including a centre seconds hand”
  • “The dial is signed “Cousens, London, 341150” and features the broad arrow mark also.”
  • “a very light forked hairline on the 9”

Case and Movement Construction

According to the seller's description, the watch is fitted in an English silver open-face case measuring 52 mm wide by 17 mm deep, featuring a mineral glass, a snap-on bezel, a hinged back, and a hinged inner cuvette. The seller states the case bears English silver hallmarks for London 1916.

The movement is described as a stem-wound, pin-set gilt three-quarter plate mechanism with a lever escapement, compensated balance, and gold cap on the lever and escape wheel. The movement signature is reported as 'Cousens, 61 St, Portman Square, London' with serial number 341150 and an engraved British broad arrow mark, utilizing an auxiliary top-plate wheel to drive the centre seconds hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch measures 52mm wide x 17mm deep”
  • “The watch has English silver hallmarks for London 1916”
  • “The movement is signed “Cousens, 61 St, Portman Square, London” # 341150”
  • “The movement has an additional wheel positioned on the top plate; this is for the centre seconds hand on the dial”

Box and Accompanying History

The watch is housed in an accompanying mahogany box stated to measure 120 mm by 90 mm by 40 mm, which is visible secured by a small brass clasp at its bottom edge. In the photograph, the cased watch rests on historical typed naval documentation and black-and-white vessel photographs.

The seller claims that the watch was purchased from the Admiralty in 1917 and is accompanied by service records from the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. These papers and photographs are reported to cover three vessels that used the watch between 1930 and 1937.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch comes in a mahogany box which measures 120mm x 90mm x 40mm”
  • “Box is placed on historical typed naval documentation and black-and-white vessel photographs”
  • “The watch was purchased from the Admiralty in 1917 and comes with service history from the Royal Observatory, Greenwich and assorted photos and documented history of the three vessels which used this watch from 1930-1937.”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmark sponsor marks and date letters are struck inside the silver case to confirm the London 1916 date?
  • Which three naval vessels are named in the accompanying Royal Observatory service documents as having carried watch 341150 between 1930 and 1937?
  • Does the movement balance assembly utilize an overcoil hairspring, and what specific jewelling count is present across the train?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Cousens English Silver Deck Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker SignatureCousens, London“The dial is signed “Cousens, London, 341150” and features the broad arrow mark also.”
Serial Number341150“The movement is signed “Cousens, 61 St, Portman Square, London” # 341150”
Hallmark DateLondon 1916“The watch has English silver hallmarks for London 1916”
Case Dimensions52mm wide x 17mm deep“The watch measures 52mm wide x 17mm deep”
Admiralty Purchase1917“The watch was purchased from the Admiralty in 1917 and comes with service history from the Royal Observatory, Greenwich”
Box Dimensions120 mm x 90 mm x 40 mm“The watch comes in a mahogany box which measures 120mm x 90mm x 40mm”
Escapement and BalanceLever escapement with compensated balance“the gilt ¾ plate movement has a lever escapement with a compensated balance”
Reported Vessel Service Period1930–1937“documented history of the three vessels which used this watch from 1930-1937.”

Visible details

  • Deck watch dial visible through the circular glazed opening of a wooden box
  • Dial exhibits Roman numeral hour markers, an outer track numbered at five-minute intervals, and blued steel hands including a centre seconds hand
  • Wooden box is secured with a small brass clasp at the bottom edge
  • Box is placed on historical typed naval documentation and black-and-white vessel photographs

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement features and case hallmarks are concealed in the presented photograph
  • Admiralty purchase and vessel service history are reported by the seller

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

Consulted source

English silver deck watch by Cousens. With Service history. Superb condition c1916 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record b77a9fb62f

Terms in this record

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

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