Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Duplex escapement pocket watch

English Duplex Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This English duplex pocket watch, dated to approximately 1812, is housed in an 18-carat gold consular case. The rear of the case features four-color gold embossed floral ornamentation, protected by an opening glass cover. The watch mechanism is a full-plate fire-gilt movement, featuring a fusée and chain transmission with Harrison’s maintaining power. The movement includes a pierced and engraved balance cock set with a large diamond endstone, a steel three-arm balance, a blued steel hairspring, a duplex escapement, and a brass escape wheel. The dial is crafted from gold, finished with engine-turned geometric patterns, and displays raised gold Arabic numerals on a matte ground, paired with pierced, gilt hands. The watch is presented with a long gold snake chain, incorporating two sliders with matching four-color gold decoration, a decorated T-bar, a short snake chain, and a winding key.

The watch shown with its attached gold snake chain, sliders, T-bar, and winding key.
The watch shown with its attached gold snake chain, sliders, T-bar, and winding key. — Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Duplex escapement pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1812
Source-reported place
England

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

Case and Dial

The watch is encased in an 18-carat gold consular case, characterized by a ribbed middle band and a hinged back. The reverse side of the case exhibits decorative floral arrangements executed in four-color gold. Access to the back and front bezel is facilitated by a split-button mechanism located within the pendant.

The dial is constructed from gold and features intricate engine-turned geometric engraving. It is accented with raised Arabic numerals in gold set against a matte background. The time is indicated by pierced, gilt hands, which complement the overall decorative scheme of the gold case and matching accessories.

Evidence for this section
  • “درون قاب کنسولار تزئینی از جنس طلای ۱۸ عیار قرار دارد”
  • “پشت قاب دارای نقوش گل‌دار برجسته از طلای چهار رنگ”
  • “صفحه ساعت از جنس طلا با پرداخت تراش‌کاری هندسی (Engine turned)”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a full-plate design finished with fire gilding. It features a gold dust cover that includes pierced apertures for observing the balance cock and silver regulating disk. The timing mechanism incorporates a steel three-arm balance, a blued steel hairspring, and a duplex escapement with a brass escape wheel.

Power is delivered via a fusée and chain system equipped with Harrison’s maintaining power. The balance cock is pierced and engraved, supporting a prominent diamond endstone.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت از نوع تمام‌پلیت با طلاکاری حرارتی (Fire gilt) است”
  • “خروسک موتور مشبک‌کاری و حکاکی شده و نگین الماس درشتی روی آن سوار است”
  • “در مکانیزم این ساعت از زنجیر و فیوزی (Fusee) و سیستم حفظ نیروی هریسون (Harrison’s maintaining power) استفاده شده است”

Accessories

The watch is accompanied by a suite of matching accessories, including a long snake-link chain. This chain is fitted with two sliding ornaments adorned with four-color gold decoration that matches the case back.

Additionally, the ensemble includes a short snake chain, a T-bar, and a matching winding key, all designed to coordinate with the watch case.

Evidence for this section
  • “همراه با زنجیر ماری بلند طلا دارای دو لغزنده (Slider) با تزئینات طلای چهار رنگ هماهنگ با قاب، میله T شکل تزیین‌شده، زنجیر ماری کوتاه و کلید کوک ارائه شده است”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific maker or assay office mark inside the case?
  • Are there any identifiable maker marks on the movement plates?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for English Duplex Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Datecirca 1812“حدود ۱۸۱۲”
CountryEngland“انگلستان”
Case Material18-carat gold“طلای ۱۸ عیار”
Movement TypeFull-plate fire-gilt, fusée and chain“تمام‌پلیت با طلاکاری حرارتی (Fire gilt)، فیوزی و زنجیر”
EscapementDuplex“مهار دوپلکس (Duplex escapement)”
Maintaining PowerHarrison's“سیستم حفظ نیروی هریسون (Harrison’s maintaining power)”
Case DecorationFour-color gold floral patterns“نقوش گل‌دار برجسته از طلای چهار رنگ”

Visible details

  • Case back features four-color gold floral motifs
  • Dial features engine-turned patterns
  • Movement features a large diamond endstone
  • Movement is equipped with a gold dust cover with pierced apertures

Research qualifications

  • The specific maker is not identified in the source text
  • The exact date of 1812 is approximate

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

Consulted source

Fine Gold Decorative English Duplex

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record cdfdc80b31

Terms in this record

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

Other duplex escapement pocket watch records