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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Gaydon & Sons English Silver Open Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Victorian English open face pocket watch dates to circa 1892 and bears hallmarks for Birmingham. Housed in a silver case with stepped sides and an engine-turned back, it measures 50 mm in width and 18 mm in depth. The white enamel dial presents black Roman numerals, an outer minute ring, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds track at 6 o'clock under a bevelled mineral glass. According to the seller, the timepiece is powered by an English gilt full-plate movement with lever escapement and a gold-finished balance, signed 'Gaydon & Sons, Kingston-on-Thames' under serial number 185177. The watch is stem-wound and stem-set.

Dial view of the Gaydon & Sons open face silver pocket watch
Dial view of the Gaydon & Sons open face silver pocket watch — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Gaydon & Sons
Reference
4.74 (AB-83244)
Catalogue / lot identifier
itm83244
Source-reported date
c. 1892
Source-reported place
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
185177

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 displays a white enamel dial featuring black Roman hour numerals bordered by an outer track. Time is indicated by blued steel spade hands alongside an inset subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the 6 o'clock location, all fitted beneath a bevelled mineral glass.

The dial is housed in an open-face silver configuration equipped with a smooth bezel, a reeded winding crown, and a rounded suspension bow. While the dial condition is reported by the seller as 100% mint condition, visible inspection confirms standard Victorian layout characteristics consistent with late 19th-century English styling.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”
  • “Dial – the white enamel dial has a full set of blue steel hands and is in 100% mint condition”
  • “White enamel dial with bold black Roman numerals and peripheral track”
  • “Blued steel spade hands with an inset subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock”
  • “Silver open face case with smooth bezel, reeded crown, and round bow”

Case Construction and Hallmarking

The timepiece measures 50 mm in width by 18 mm in depth. According to the seller's cataloguing, the English silver open-face case features stepped sides, a snap-on bezel, a hinged inner cover, and a hinged back decorated with engine turning.

The seller reports clear hallmarks for Birmingham dating the case to 1892. However, these assay marks and the engine-turned back are internal or located to the rear, and are not visible in the primary dial photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch measures 50mm wide x 18mm deep”
  • “the movement comes in an English silver open face case, which has a hinged inner, back and snap on bezel. The case is decorated with engine turning on the back and stepped sides.”
  • “The watch has clear hallmarks for Birmingham 1892”

Reported Movement and Mechanism

Operating via stem winding and stem setting, the watch is stated by the seller to contain an English gilt full-plate movement. The mechanism is described as incorporating a lever escapement and a gold-finished balance wheel.

The movement plate is reported to carry the signature 'Gaydon & Sons, Kingston-on-Thames' alongside serial number 185177. Because the movement is not depicted in the provided photograph, details regarding plate layout, finishing, and jewelling rely entirely on the dealer's description.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch is stem wound / stem set”
  • “Movement – the gilt full plate movement has a lever escapement and a gold finished balance.”
  • “The movement is signed “Gaydon & Sons, Kingston-on-Thames” 185177.”

Open research questions

  • What specific maker's mark or sponsor's initials accompany the 1892 Birmingham hallmarks inside the case back?
  • Does the movement exhibit specific English jewelling or a compensated balance beneath the top plate?
  • Is the engine turning on the rear cover centered with an unengraved cartouche or shield?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gaydon & Sons English Silver Open Face Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement MakerGaydon & Sons, Kingston-on-Thames“The movement is signed “Gaydon & Sons, Kingston-on-Thames” 185177.”
Movement Serial Number185177“The movement is signed “Gaydon & Sons, Kingston-on-Thames” 185177.”
HallmarksBirmingham 1892“The watch has clear hallmarks for Birmingham 1892”
Case Type and MaterialEnglish silver open face“the movement comes in an English silver open face case”
Dimensions50mm wide x 18mm deep“The watch measures 50mm wide x 18mm deep”
Winding / SettingStem wound / stem set“The watch is stem wound / stem set”
Case ConstructionHinged inner, back, and snap-on bezel with stepped sides and engine-turned back“the movement comes in an English silver open face case, which has a hinged inner, back and snap on bezel. The case is decorated with engine turning on the back and stepped sides.”
Crystal MaterialBevelled mineral glass“The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”
Movement Escapement & BalanceLever escapement with gold-finished balance“Movement – the gilt full plate movement has a lever escapement and a gold finished balance.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with bold black Roman numerals and peripheral track
  • Blued steel spade hands with an inset subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock
  • Silver open face case with smooth bezel, reeded crown, and round bow

Research qualifications

  • Movement and rear engine-turned case back are described by the dealer but not pictured in this photograph
  • Case hallmarks and movement signatures are internal and not visible from the dial perspective

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

Consulted source

English silver pocket watch. Gaydon & Sons, Kingston-on-Thames c1892 in Antique Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 362b954c36

Terms in this record

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

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