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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Goliath pocket watch

Japy Frères Goliath pocket watch

Partially verified

This antique goliath pocket watch features a stem-winding movement identified by the seller as manufactured by French firm Japy Frères and protected by an inner hinged cover. The watch measures 66 mm in diameter excluding the winding stem and suspension bow, and is housed in a nickel case fitted with a glass lens. Its white dial bears the retailer signature 'Z. BARRACLOUGH & SONS PARIS' along with bold black Roman numerals, an outer minute track, blued steel hands set via a pin-push mechanism, and an ornate subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.

Dial and case view of the Japy Frères goliath pocket watch signed by Z. Barraclough & Sons
Dial and case view of the Japy Frères goliath pocket watch signed by Z. Barraclough & Sons — The Vintage Wrist Watch Company / Antiques Atlas. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiques-atlas.com
Category
Pocket watch · Goliath pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Japy Frères
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
as170a9936
Source-reported date
1910s
Country
France

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 Physical Proportions

The open-face goliath pocket watch is cased in nickel with a reported diameter of 66 mm excluding the winding stem and suspension bow. The dial is protected by a glass lens.

Visual observations show a ribbed brass-colored onion winding crown mounted within an oversized suspension loop bow. Hand adjustment is operated via a pin-set push piece situated adjacent to the crown at approximately the 1 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch measures 66mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
  • “The case is nickel and it is lovely condition, as is the glass lens.”
  • “Ribbed brass-colored onion winding crown mounted within an oversized suspension loop bow.”
  • “Blued steel poire-style hands with a pin-set push piece adjacent to the crown at approximately 1 o'clock.”

Dial Inscription and Layout

The white dial features bold black Roman numerals and an outer minute track detailed with diamond markers at five-minute intervals. Time is indicated by blued steel poire-style hands, complemented by an ornate subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock with concentric calibration.

Below the 12 o'clock numeral, the dial bears the printed retailer signature 'Z. BARRACLOUGH & SONS PARIS'. The listing suggests this entity is likely Zachariah Barraclough & Sons, an enterprise established in Leeds in 1805 that continued into the twentieth century.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with bold black Roman hour numerals and outer minute track with diamond markers at five-minute intervals.”
  • “Retailer signature 'Z. BARRACLOUGH & SONS PARIS' printed below the 12 o'clock numeral.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock with patterned concentric calibration.”
  • “The dial is signed with the name of the original retailer, Z Barraclough & Sons, Paris (believed to be the same company as Zachariah Barraclough & Sons, established in Leeds in 1805. The company continued trading into the 20th Century.)”

Movement Attribution and Observed Condition

The seller describes a stem-winding movement protected by an inner hinged cover, identifying it as manufactured by French firm Japy Frères and assigning it to the 1910s. However, the movement is not visible in the provided image.

The dial displays visible historical damage. The seller records cracks at 1 and 7 o'clock and three faint hairlines radiating from the centre, corresponding with visual damage traces visible in the dial imagery.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch has a stem-winding movement, identified as being by Japy Freres, which is working nicely. The movement is protected by an inner hinged cover.”
  • “There are cracks at 1 and 7 o’clock, and three faint hairlines radiating from the centre.”
  • “Visible damage or repair traces on the dial, including cracks near 1 and 7 o'clock.”

Open research questions

  • What specific caliber mark or stamp confirms the Japy Frères attribution on the movement plates beneath the inner cover?
  • Did the Leeds firm Zachariah Barraclough & Sons maintain a registered retail branch in Paris in the 1910s, or was this an export/private-label contract?
  • Are there manufacturer or case-maker hallmarks stamped on the inside of the nickel case or cuvette?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Japy Frères Goliath pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJapy Frères“The watch has a stem-winding movement, identified as being by Japy Freres, which is working nicely.”
Diameter66mm“The watch measures 66mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
Case MaterialNickel“The case is nickel and it is lovely condition, as is the glass lens.”
Retailer SignatureZ Barraclough & Sons, Paris“The dial is signed with the name of the original retailer, Z Barraclough & Sons, Paris”
Period1910s“Period 1910s Antiques”
Internal Movement ProtectionInner hinged cover“The movement is protected by an inner hinged cover.”
Reported OriginFrench“Origin French”
PackagingNew presentation box“The watch comes in a new presentation box.”

Visible details

  • White dial with bold black Roman hour numerals and outer minute track with diamond markers at five-minute intervals.
  • Retailer signature 'Z. BARRACLOUGH & SONS PARIS' printed below the 12 o'clock numeral.
  • Subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock with patterned concentric calibration.
  • Blued steel poire-style hands with a pin-set push piece adjacent to the crown at approximately 1 o'clock.
  • Ribbed brass-colored onion winding crown mounted within an oversized suspension loop bow.
  • Visible damage or repair traces on the dial, including cracks near 1 and 7 o'clock.

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement is not visible in the provided image; maker attribution to Japy Frères relies on the seller's documentation.
  • Dealer notes cracks in the dial at 1 and 7 o'clock and three faint hairlines radiating from the center.

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

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - Antique Goliath Pocket Watch By Japy Freres as170a9936

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 51f6d1f4b6

Terms in this record

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