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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

International Watch Co. White Gold Openface Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This openface pocket watch by International Watch Co. is dated by the auction house to circa 1927 and features a 44 mm white gold case numbered 912'713. Its silver dial is signed 'International Watch Co. SCHAFFHAUSEN' and is fitted with applied Breguet-style Arabic numerals, pierced hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock. The watch is powered by a manual keyless-wind movement numbered 850'594, providing time-only indication. The winding crown and bow are set at 12 o'clock, with the auctioneer noting that the movement was not ticking at cataloguing.

Front view of the white gold openface pocket watch showing the silver dial with subsidiary seconds
Front view of the white gold openface pocket watch showing the silver dial with subsidiary seconds — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
International Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
354
Source-reported date
circa 1927
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
850'594

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

The catalog records this openface pocket watch with a white gold case measuring 44 mm in diameter, identified under case number 912'713. In the provided frontal photograph, the winding crown and bow are positioned at 12 o'clock.

While internal case surfaces are not visible in the supplied photograph, the seller's condition report notes very slight surface wear, along with hallmarks and numbers present on the inside cover.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE MATERIAL: White gold”
  • “CASE DIAMETER: 44 mm.”
  • “CASE NO: 912'713”
  • “very slight surface wear and hallmarks and numbers to the inside cover.”

Dial Configuration and Condition

The catalog lists a silver dial. Visible details include applied Breguet-style Arabic numerals displaying surface patina, pierced openwork hour and minute hands terminating in pointed tips, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock featuring a concentric circular engine-turned finish within an outer minute track.

Direct observation reveals notable dark spotting, tarnishing, and surface speckling across the face and perimeter of the dial. The auctioneer's condition report describes the dial as dirty and tarnished with very small stains and scratches throughout.

Evidence for this section
  • “DIAL: Silver”
  • “Hours are marked by applied Breguet-style Arabic numerals displaying visible surface patina.”
  • “Openwork pierced hour and minute hands terminate in pointed tips.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock features concentric circular engine-turned finish within an outer minute track.”
  • “Silver dial displays notable dark spotting, tarnishing, and surface speckles across its face and periphery.”
  • “Dirty and tarnished, very small stains and scratches throughout, normal for the age of the watch.”

Movement and Operational State

The source describes the movement as a manual, keyless-wind mechanism numbered 850'594, providing time-only functions, with an estimated production date of circa 1927.

Specific caliber designations, jewel counts, or decorative finishes are not recorded in the source text or visible in the imagery. According to the seller's condition notes, the movement was not ticking at the time of cataloguing and was reported to require service after being unused for a long time.

Evidence for this section
  • “MOVEMENT: Manual, keyless”
  • “MOVEMENT NO: 850'594”
  • “FUNCTIONS: Time only”
  • “CIRCA: 1927”
  • “The movement is not ticking at the time of cataloguing. A service is highly required as the watch has not been used in a long time.”

Open research questions

  • What specific caliber designation corresponds to movement number 850'594?
  • What specific purity marks or assay hallmarks are stamped inside the case cover?
  • What mechanical issues or servicing needs account for the movement not ticking?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for International Watch Co. White Gold Openface Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Number912'713“CASE NO: 912'713”
Movement Number850'594“MOVEMENT NO: 850'594”
Case MaterialWhite gold“CASE MATERIAL: White gold”
Case Diameter44 mm“CASE DIAMETER: 44 mm.”
Circa1927“CIRCA: 1927”
Movement TypeManual, keyless“MOVEMENT: Manual, keyless”
Accompanying BoxNo“BOX: No”
Accompanying PapersNo“PAPERS: No”
Reported Overall ConditionVery good“Overall Condition: Very good”

Visible details

  • Silver dial displays notable dark spotting, tarnishing, and surface speckles across its face and periphery.
  • Hours are marked by applied Breguet-style Arabic numerals displaying visible surface patina.
  • Subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock features concentric circular engine-turned finish within an outer minute track.
  • Openwork pierced hour and minute hands terminate in pointed tips.

Research qualifications

  • Source condition report notes the movement was not ticking at the time of cataloguing and requires service.
  • Movement and interior case hallmarks are not visible in the provided lot image.

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

Consulted source

INTERNATIONAL WATCH CO., WHITE GOLD OPENFACE POCKET WATCH, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 65d181d320

Terms in this record

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

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