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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Self-winding wristwatch

Harwood self-winding wrist-watch of about 1930

Partially verified

The Science Museum Group collection preserves this early self-winding wristwatch dated circa 1930, reported as made for Harwood by Blancpain. The piece is cased in gold with a glass back and lacks a conventional winding crown. Instead, hand-setting is operated via the rotating bezel. Its white dial bears the inscription 'HARWOOD', featuring green Arabic numerals, matching luminous-filled hands, a perimeter railway track, and a circular aperture positioned above the 6 o'clock mark. According to museum documentation, the internal winding rotor is inscribed 'STE FSE HARWOOD BREVETES CDG No 580247 HARWOOD BLANCPAIN FAB SUISSE'.

Front view of Harwood self-winding gold wristwatch
Front view of Harwood self-winding gold wristwatch — The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Wristwatch · Self-winding wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Blancpain
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1958-263
Source-reported date
circa 1930
Country
Switzerland

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 Casing Construction

Catalogued under object number 1958-263, this timepiece is documented in the Science Museum Group collection as a 'Harwood self-winding wrist-watch of about 1930' that was 'Made for Harwood by Blancpain'. The records list the materials as 'case: gold and back: glass', though only the front face is visible in the collection photograph.

The round case has no conventional winding crown on its flanks. Instead, the collection entry notes that 'Hands set by rotating bezel', which aligns with the visible coin-edge or fluted outer rotating ring framing the crystal.

Evidence for this section
  • “Harwood self-winding wrist-watch of about 1930, in gold case, with glass in back”
  • “Made for Harwood by Blancpain.”
  • “Hands set by rotating bezel.”
  • “Round gold case with a coin-edge or fluted outer rotating bezel.”
  • “No winding crown present on the case band.”

Dial Configuration and Visual Details

The dial is described in museum text as a 'white dial with green Arabic numerals and hands, dial marked "Harwood"'. Directly visible beneath 12 o'clock is the 'HARWOOD' brand mark, while the Arabic numerals are filled with green material and outlined in black, accompanied by a peripheral railway track.

A circular indicator aperture is visible directly above the 6 o'clock numeral. The watch is shown mounted on a black textured leather strap with fixed or wire-style lugs. In addition, the museum catalogues the object type as including 'radioactive material', corresponding to the luminous compound on the numerals and hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “white dial with green Arabic numerals and hands, dial marked "Harwood".”
  • “Circular indicator aperture positioned directly above the 6 o'clock marker.”
  • “type: radioactive material , wrist-watch and self-winding watch”
  • “Black textured leather strap fitted to fixed or wire-style lugs.”

Movement Inscription and Collection Specifications

Because the case back and movement are not depicted in the available photograph, internal details rely on museum records. The catalogue specifies that the movement rotor is marked: '"STE FSE HARWOOD BREVETES CDG No 580247 HARWOOD BLANCPAIN FAB SUISSE"'.

Recorded dimensions indicate an overall displayed size of 72 mm by 31 mm by 67 mm, and an object weight excluding the mount of 0.03 kg. The accession record lists the credit line as 'J. Harwood and Son'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Rotor marked as follows: "STE FSE HARWOOD BREVETES CDG No 580247 HARWOOD BLANCPAIN FAB SUISSE"”
  • “overall (as displayed): 72 mm x 31 mm x 67 mm, overall (exc. mount): 0.03 kg”
  • “credit: J. Harwood and Son”

Open research questions

  • What mechanical state or indication is signaled through the circular aperture positioned above 6 o'clock?
  • What specific gold alloy or hallmark stamps are struck on the case body?
  • What calibre number or internal construction features are visible through the documented glass back?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Harwood self-winding wrist-watch of about 1930
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerMade for Harwood by Blancpain“Made for Harwood by Blancpain.”
Object Number1958-263“Object Number: 1958-263”
Hand Setting MechanismSet by rotating bezel“Hands set by rotating bezel.”
Rotor InscriptionSTE FSE HARWOOD BREVETES CDG No 580247 HARWOOD BLANCPAIN FAB SUISSE“Rotor marked as follows: "STE FSE HARWOOD BREVETES CDG No 580247 HARWOOD BLANCPAIN FAB SUISSE"”
Case and MaterialsGold case with glass back“in gold case, with glass in back”
Credit LineJ. Harwood and Son“credit: J. Harwood and Son”
Weight0.03 kg (excluding mount)“overall (exc. mount): 0.03 kg”
CategoryTime Measurement“Category: Time Measurement”

Visible details

  • Round gold case with a coin-edge or fluted outer rotating bezel.
  • White dial inscribed 'HARWOOD' beneath 12 o'clock.
  • Green luminescent-filled Arabic numeral hour markers outlined in black.
  • Circular indicator aperture positioned directly above the 6 o'clock marker.
  • Black textured leather strap fitted to fixed or wire-style lugs.
  • No winding crown present on the case band.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and glass case back are not visible in the provided photograph.
  • The source classifies the piece as containing radioactive material, presumably radium dial luminous compound.

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

Consulted source

Harwood self-winding wrist-watch of about 1930 | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 5bbc1990c1

Terms in this record

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

Other self-winding wristwatch records