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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

International Watch Co. 14K yellow gold open-face pocket watch

Partially verified

This open-face, keyless-winding pocket watch by the International Watch Co., Schaffhausen, dates according to the auction catalog to circa 1918. It features a 14K yellow gold round case measuring 47 mm in diameter, noted as made by Wyss & Cie of Biel/Bienne, with a gilded metal cuvette. The gilded metal dial displays Arabic numeral hour markers, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. The catalog records an 18-ligne caliber H 6 gilded brass movement (No. 704 626) with a straight-line lever escapement and a bimetallic compensated balance.

Front view of the gilded dial and 14K yellow gold case of the IWC pocket watch
Front view of the gilded dial and 14K yellow gold case of the IWC pocket watch — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
International Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
78
Source-reported date
circa 1918
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
758 110

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 Construction and Exterior

This open-face, keyless-winding pocket watch features a round 14K yellow gold case measuring 47 mm in diameter, with a reported total weight of approximately 78.6 grams. The catalog identifies the case maker as Wyss & Cie of Bienne/Biel under case number 758 110, noting a polished case back and a gilded metal cuvette (dome).

Direct visual inspection of the front shows a winding crown positioned at 12 o'clock within a rounded bow, accompanied by a pin or setting lever projection adjacent near 11 o'clock. The gold bezel surrounds a front crystal protecting the dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “14K yellow gold, open-face, keyless-winding, round-shaped, pocket watch, with subsidiary seconds at 6.”
  • “Case-back polished; gilded metal cuvette (dome).”
  • “Case No. 758 110 (by Wyss & Cie, Bienne / Biel)”
  • “Diameter 47 mm.”
  • “Crown positioned at 12 o'clock inside a rounded bow, with a setting lever/pin projection near 11 o'clock”

Dial and Hands

The watch features a gilded metal dial recorded as having suspended Arabic numerals, paired with blued steel hands and an outer minute track. A subsidiary seconds dial is located at 6 o'clock.

Observed surface condition reveals visible speckling, fine scratches, and small marks across the dial face.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gilded metal dial with suspended Arabic numerals; blued steel hands.”
  • “Gilded dial with Arabic numeral hour markers and an outer minute track”
  • “Blued steel hour, minute, and subsidiary seconds hands”
  • “Visible surface speckling, fine scratches, and minor marks across the dial face”

Reported Movement and Technical Details

Because no internal photographs are provided in the source documentation, movement specifications remain known exclusively from the catalog text. The movement is cataloged as caliber 'H 6', an 18-ligne gilded brass mechanism bearing number 704 626, configured with a going barrel, gold chatons, and a straight-line lever escapement.

Additional listed escapement components include a cut bimetallic compensated balance with gold poising screws, a blued steel hairspring with a terminal curve, and a polished steel index regulator. The notes state that the construction is based on Swiss invention patent No. 55 231, granted on March 28, 1911, to Uhrenfabrik von J. Rauschenbach’s Erben (vormals International Watch Co.) for a dial-fixing mechanism ('Zifferblattbefestigungsvorrichtung').

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement No. 704 626”
  • “Caliber “H 6”, 18’’’, straight-line lever escapement”
  • “Movement 18’’’, gilded brass, going barrel, gold chatons (setting), straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensated balancewith gold poising screws and blued steel hairspring with terminal curve, polished steel index-regulator.”
  • “Movement based on the Swiss invention patent No. 55 231, delivered on March 28, 1911, to Uhrenfabrik von J. Rauschenbach’s Erben, vormals International Watch Co., Schaffhausen, for a “Zifferblattbefestigungsvorrichtung” (Dial fixing device).”

Catalog Condition and Caveats

The catalog assigns a circa 1918 production date to the watch. Condition ratings supplied by the auctioneer include a grade of '3 Good' for the case, '3-01 Good' for the dial, and '3* Good' for the movement.

These seller ratings are accompanied by a specific caveat recommending an overhaul at the buyer's expense, and auction terms state that movement function and precision are not guaranteed.

Evidence for this section
  • “Year circa 1918”
  • “Grade: A Good Case: 3 Good Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense Dial: 3-01 Good HANDS Original”
  • “For timepieces, we guarantee neither the functioning nor the precision of the movement, nor the water-resistance of the case.”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks and maker stamps appear on the interior case back and gilded cuvette by Wyss & Cie?
  • Does movement No. 704 626 match IWC Schaffhausen archive records confirming production and delivery around 1918?
  • Are the patent markings for Swiss patent No. 55 231 stamped directly on the movement plates?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for International Watch Co. 14K yellow gold open-face pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Material14K yellow gold“Material 14K yellow gold”
Movement Number704 626“Movement No. 704 626”
Case Number758 110“Case No. 758 110 (by Wyss & Cie, Bienne / Biel)”
Caliber“H 6”, 18’’’“Caliber “H 6”, 18’’’, straight-line lever escapement”
Diameter47 mm“Diameter 47 mm.”
Weight78.6 gr. (approx.)“Weight 78.6 gr. (approx.)”
Case MakerWyss & Cie, Bienne / Biel“Case No. 758 110 (by Wyss & Cie, Bienne / Biel)”
Patent ReferenceSwiss patent No. 55 231 (delivered March 28, 1911)“Movement based on the Swiss invention patent No. 55 231, delivered on March 28, 1911, to Uhrenfabrik von J. Rauschenbach’s Erben, vormals International Watch Co., Schaffhausen, for a “Zifferblattbefestigungsvorrichtung” (Dial fixing device).”

Visible details

  • Gilded dial with Arabic numeral hour markers and an outer minute track
  • Blued steel hour, minute, and subsidiary seconds hands
  • Crown positioned at 12 o'clock inside a rounded bow, with a setting lever/pin projection near 11 o'clock
  • Visible surface speckling, fine scratches, and minor marks across the dial face

Research qualifications

  • Movement and interior case back are not visible in the provided photo
  • The source notes an overhaul is recommended at buyer's expense

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

Consulted source

International Watch Company, IWC Pocket watch; 14K yellow gold | Only Online Auction | Geneva, September 22, 2021

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 853cde5f09

Terms in this record

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

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