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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Regulator dial pocket watch

Ellicott openface cylinder pocket watch with regulator dial

Partially verified

This antique silver openface pocket watch is signed by Ellicott, London, numbered 6615, and dates to circa 1770. It is powered by a gilt-finished chain fusée cylinder movement fitted with a finely pierced and engraved balance cock, plain three-arm steel balance, diamond endstone, and a sliding stop lever situated beneath the bezel. The white enamel regulator-style dial features an outer Arabic minute track indicated by a central hand, an off-centre Roman hour subdial, constant seconds, and a flying 1/5ths of a second register. The timepiece is housed in a plain inner case protected by an outer case decorated with green-toned shagreen and metallic pinwork.

Dial view of the watch housed within its shagreen outer case alongside the detached gilt cylinder movement
Dial view of the watch housed within its shagreen outer case alongside the detached gilt cylinder movement — EveryWatch. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
everywatch.com
Category
Pocket watch · Regulator dial pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Ellicott
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1770
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
6615

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

Object Identity and Casing

The object is described as an openface cylinder pocket watch bearing the signature 'Ellicott, London', numbered 6615, and assigned an approximate date of circa 1770. It utilizes a two-tier case structure comprising a plain inner case measuring 48 mm in diameter and a protective outer case measuring 57 mm in overall diameter.

The outer case is constructed of silver and shagreen with pinwork decoration, appearing green-toned with bordering metallic dots in visual observation. The source describes the inner case as plain, though its reverse is not depicted in the listing imagery.

Evidence for this section
  • “Signed Ellicott, London, No. 6615, circa 1770”
  • “in plain inner case, silver and shagreen pinwork decorated outer protective case”
  • “48 mm. diam. & 57 mm. overall diam.”
  • “Greenish textured shagreen outer case is bordered with metallic pinwork dots.”

Dial Display and Configuration

The watch features a white enamel regulator-style dial where the outer Arabic minute division is read via a central hand. Subsidiary time indications include a small hour dial with Roman numerals and a single hand, a constant seconds display, and a flying 1/5ths of a second register.

Visual observation indicates that the small hour dial is positioned off-centre at approximately 12 o'clock, with the remaining two subsidiary dials situated at roughly 5 and 7 o'clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “the white enamel regulator-style dial with outer Arabic minute division with central hand, small hour dial with Roman numerals and single hand, constant seconds, flying 1/5ths of a second”
  • “White enamel dial presents an off-centre hour subdial at 12 o'clock and two subsidiary dials at roughly 5 and 7 o'clock.”

Movement Architecture and Complications

The timepiece is driven by a gilt-finished chain fusée cylinder movement. The escapement incorporates a plain three-arm steel balance, a diamond endstone, and a finely pierced and engraved balance cock and foot.

A stop mechanism halts the movement via a sliding lever located underneath the bezel. A gilt metal dust cover encloses the movement, and both the movement and dust cover are recorded as being signed.

Evidence for this section
  • “With gilt-finished cylinder movement, chain fusée, finely pierced and engraved balance cock and foot, plain three arm steel balance, diamond endstone”
  • “the movement stopped by a sliding lever underneath the bezel, gilt metal dust cover”
  • “movement and dust cover signed”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks, casemaker initials, or date letters are stamped inside the silver inner or outer case?
  • Which auction house catalog and original sale date correspond to this lot description?
  • How does the sliding lever beneath the bezel interact with the cylinder escapement or gear train to stop the movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ellicott openface cylinder pocket watch with regulator dial
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and SerialEllicott, London, No. 6615“Signed Ellicott, London, No. 6615, circa 1770”
Escapement and Movement DetailsGilt cylinder movement with chain fusée“With gilt-finished cylinder movement, chain fusée, finely pierced and engraved balance cock and foot, plain three arm steel balance, diamond endstone”
Stop MechanismSliding lever under the bezel“the movement stopped by a sliding lever underneath the bezel”
Dial ConfigurationWhite enamel regulator-style dial with flying 1/5ths of a second“the white enamel regulator-style dial with outer Arabic minute division with central hand, small hour dial with Roman numerals and single hand, constant seconds, flying 1/5ths of a second”
Dimensions48 mm diameter and 57 mm overall diameter“48 mm. diam. & 57 mm. overall diam.”
Outer CaseSilver and shagreen pinwork decorated“silver and shagreen pinwork decorated outer protective case”
Movement Stop MechanismSliding lever under bezel“the movement stopped by a sliding lever underneath the bezel”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial presents an off-centre hour subdial at 12 o'clock and two subsidiary dials at roughly 5 and 7 o'clock.
  • Greenish textured shagreen outer case is bordered with metallic pinwork dots.
  • Gilt movement backplate exhibits an elaborately pierced and scroll-engraved balance cock with an engraved signature cartouche reading 'Ellicott LONDON'.

Research qualifications

  • Original auction house and sale date are omitted in the aggregate listing text.
  • Rear of the inner case and interior dust cover are not displayed in the single photograph.

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

Consulted source

Ellicott Silver White 1770 | EveryWatch

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 585b86b0b0

Terms in this record

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