Pocket watch · Lever pocket watch with independent centre seconds

Geneva lever pocket watch in silver case, no. 10943

Partially verified

This pocket watch dates to between 1840 and 1900 and is preserved in the Science Museum Group collection under object number 1916-217. The museum records it as a Geneva lever watch housed in a silver case stamped no. 10943, featuring independent centre seconds with incomplete stop work. The white dial displays Arabic numerals and a minute track, accompanied by Breguet-style hands and a central seconds hand. The case features a patterned rim, spherical pendant, and suspension bow. The movement incorporates brass and spring components.

Dial and front view of the silver open-face pocket watch with independent centre seconds — The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category: Pocket watch · Lever pocket watch with independent centre seconds
Maker / attribution: Not established
Reference: 1916-217
Catalogue / lot identifier: Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date: 1840-1900
Country: England
Source-reported serial: 10943

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

Identity and Institutional Context

Catalogued under object number 1916-217 in the Science Museum Group collection, this timepiece is documented as a Geneva lever watch housed in a silver case marked no. 10943. The institutional provenance records acquisition through a credit to Mr. Evan Roberts.

The museum dates the manufacture to 1840–1900 with the place of origin listed as England, while the maker is catalogued as unknown.

Evidence for this section

“Pocket Watch in Silver Case, 1840-1900 Made: 1840-1900 in England maker: Unknown”
“Geneva lever watch in silver case, no.10943 (in case)”
“credit: Mr. Evan Roberts”

Dial and Case Construction

Direct visual inspection shows a silver case featuring a patterned, textured outer bezel rim, rounded pendant, and suspension bow. Institutional records list overall measurements of 18 mm by 55 mm by 78 mm, with a weight of 0.14 kg.

The dial is white with black Arabic numerals and a dashed outer track. Time is indicated by central blued steel hands, including Breguet-style hour and minute hands and a thin centre seconds hand.

Evidence for this section

“Silver case featuring a patterned, textured outer bezel rim, rounded pendant, and suspension bow.”
“overall: 18 mm x 55 mm x 78 mm, .14kg”
“White dial with black Arabic numerals and a dashed outer track.”
“Central blued steel hands including Breguet-style hour and minute hands and a thin centre seconds hand.”

Reported Movement and Mechanism State

The museum documents the movement as a Geneva lever watch with independent centre seconds. The cataloguing explicitly records that the stop work is incomplete.

The movement materials are indexed as brass (copper, zinc alloy), silver, and springs. The movement itself is not visible in the provided photograph.

Evidence for this section

“independent centre seconds (stop work incomplete)”
“Materials: brass (copper, zinc alloy) , silver , chronological , regulating , free-standing , timer and springs (elastic objects)”

Open research questions

What specific components are missing from the independent centre seconds stop work, and is the movement a dual-train design?
Does the case interior bear English hallmarks or Swiss assay marks that clarify the relationship between the recorded English origin and the Geneva lever description?
Can museum acquisition registers for the Evan Roberts collection provide additional provenance or a narrower date range within 1840–1900?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Geneva lever pocket watch in silver case, no. 10943
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Object Number	1916-217	“Object Number: 1916-217”
Case Number	10943	“Geneva lever watch in silver case, no.10943 (in case)”
Mechanism Detail	Independent centre seconds (stop work incomplete)	“independent centre seconds (stop work incomplete)”
Overall Measurements	18 mm x 55 mm x 78 mm, .14kg	“overall: 18 mm x 55 mm x 78 mm, .14kg”
Credit	Mr. Evan Roberts	“credit: Mr. Evan Roberts”
Place of Origin	England	“Made: 1840-1900 in England”
Category	Time Measurement	“Category: Time Measurement”

Visible details

White dial with black Arabic numerals and a dashed outer track.
Central blued steel hands including Breguet-style hour and minute hands and a thin centre seconds hand.
Silver case featuring a patterned, textured outer bezel rim, rounded pendant, and suspension bow.

Research qualifications

Source notes the stop work for the independent centre seconds mechanism is incomplete.
The internal movement and case interior are not visible in the provided photograph.

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

Consulted source

Pocket Watch in Silver Case, 1840-1900 | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 0c09f88def

Terms in this record

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