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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

J Penlington English Lever Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This early nineteenth-century open-face pocket watch is housed in an 18-karat gold case. The timepiece is signed 'J Penlington Liverpool' on the movement, which is identified by serial number 2731. The movement is a traditional key-wound, full-plate fusee caliber with gilt finish, equipped with Harrison’s maintaining power and an English table roller lever escapement. Features include a gold three-arm balance, diamond endstone, and a blued-steel Bosley regulator. The gold dial displays a matte background with multi-colored gold relief ornamentations and polished Roman numerals, accompanied by blued-steel hands. The exterior case features hand-engraved and chased decorations on the middle bands, bezels, pendant, and bow. The back of the case is engine-turned with a vacant circular cartouche. The watch includes a gilt dust cover. The auction description reports that the operational status and recent service history are unknown.

Front view of the J Penlington gold open-face pocket watch showing the engraved bow and ornate dial.
Front view of the J Penlington gold open-face pocket watch showing the engraved bow and ornate dial. — Zamanito (via Pieces of Time). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
J Penlington
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
early nineteenth century
Source-reported place
England
Source-reported serial
2731

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 and Dial

The watch is an open-face model with an 18-karat gold case. The middle sections, bezels, pendant, and bow are detailed with hand-engraved and chased floral patterns. The back cover exhibits engine-turned decoration centered on a vacant circular cartouche. The manufacturer's mark, 'SB', is stamped within a rectangular frame on the case.

The dial is constructed from gold and features a matte finish. It is ornamented with multi-colored gold relief elements located at the center and periphery. The hours are indicated by polished gold Roman numerals, and the time is read via blued-steel hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “صفحه نفیس طلا با تزئینات گل و بوته چندرنگ برجسته و اعداد رومی طلا”

Movement and Mechanism

The movement follows a traditional full-plate design with gilt finishing. It is a key-wound mechanism utilizing a fusee and chain. The escapement is an English table roller lever type, complemented by a three-arm gold balance wheel, a diamond endstone, and a blued-steel Bosley regulator with a spiral hairspring.

The movement incorporates Harrison’s maintaining power for consistent force transmission during winding. The balance cock is plain, featuring the engraved words 'Detachd' on the table and 'Lever' on the foot. A gilt dust cover protects the movement from external debris.

Evidence for this section
  • “اهرمی رولر میزی انگلیسی (English table roller lever escapement)”

Signatures and Condition

The watch is signed 'J Penlington Liverpool' on the movement, accompanied by the serial number 2731. The auction description reports that the functional state of the watch is not stated, and the history of recent servicing is unknown.

Prospective owners are advised to seek professional assessment of the balance jewels, fusee chain, and the lubrication of the escapement prior to operation.

Evidence for this section
  • “امضای سازنده با عنوان J Penlington Liverpool همراه با شماره سریال ۲۷۳۱ به چشم می‌خورد”
  • “وضعیت سلامت کارکرد دقیق و تاریخچه سرویس اخیر ذکر نشده است”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific timeframe of production for J Penlington, Liverpool in the early 19th century?
  • What does the 'SB' case maker's mark correspond to in the context of early 19th-century English gold cases?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for J Penlington English Lever Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJ Penlington“J Penlington Liverpool”
Case material18-karat gold“قاب ساخته‌شده از طلای ۱۸ عیار”
EscapementEnglish table roller lever“اهرمی رولر میزی انگلیسی (English table roller lever escapement)”
RegulatorBosley“سیستم تنظیم رقاصک از نوع Bosley با فولاد آبی‌شده است”
BalanceThree-arm gold“رقاصک سه بازویی از جنس طلا”
DialGold with multi-colored relief“صفحه ساعت از جنس طلا با زمینه مات بوده و در مرکز و حاشیه آن تزئینات برجسته طلا با چند رنگ متفاوت کار شده است”

Visible details

  • Decorative hand-engraved gold bow and pendant
  • Multi-colored gold relief ornamentation on the dial
  • Polished Roman numerals on a matte gold dial
  • Engine-turned back case with a blank circular cartouche

Research qualifications

  • Operational state and service history are not specified
  • Specific date within the early nineteenth century is not provided

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

Consulted source

Gold English Lever with Decorative Gold Dial

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 3f23fbda11

Terms in this record

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

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