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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Full hunter pocket watch

Joseph Johnson full hunter pocket watch with Liverpool jewelling

Partially verified

This is a 19th-century full hunter pocket watch signed by Joseph Johnson, Liverpool. According to the seller, the 55 mm sterling silver case features engine-turned guilloché decoration and Birmingham hallmarks indicating the year 1856. The gilded full-plate movement is fitted with a fusee, an English lever escapement, an engraved balance cock, and screwed jewel settings known as Liverpool jewelling. A detachable gilt dust cap accompanies the movement. The seller also notes a white enamel dial marked 'Railway timekeeper quick beat' with a stop mechanism operated by a lever near 7 o'clock.

Open silver case displaying the gilt full-plate movement and separate dust cover
Open silver case displaying the gilt full-plate movement and separate dust cover — Antiquariato Cherubini Zorzella. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.proantic.com
Category
Pocket watch · Full hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Joseph Johnson
Reference
1486586
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1856
Country
United Kingdom

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 Movement Construction

The timepiece features a gilded full-plate movement engraved with "JOSEPH JOHNSON" and "Liverpool". An engraved balance cock with a regulator scale sits above the balance wheel, and a separate circular gilt dust cap rests alongside the movement.

According to the seller listing, the movement is a full-plate design equipped with a fusee and an English lever escapement. The seller notes that it features "large transparent jewels stopped with screws (also called 'Liverpool Jewelling')".

Evidence for this section
  • “Gilded full plate is engraved 'JOSEPH JOHNSON' and 'Liverpool'.”
  • “Engraved balance cock with regulator scale is visible above the balance wheel.”
  • “High quality full plate movement with dust cover, engraved cock, Fusee and english lever escapement with large transparent jewels stopped with screws (also called "Liverpool Jewelling").”

Case and Hallmarking

The movement is fitted inside a sterling silver full hunter case measuring 55 mm in diameter, which the seller states opens via a button on the crown. Hallmarks are visible stamped into the interior of the opened silver case covers.

The listing identifies these marks as Birmingham hallmarks indicating the year 1856, although the listing title also references 1857. The seller further reports that the exterior of the hunter case has guilloché decoration.

Evidence for this section
  • “Hallmarks are visible stamped into the interior of the opened silver case covers.”
  • “Full hunter sterling silver case with treatment Guilloché, hallmarked City of Birmingham year 1856.”
  • “Button on the crown to open the lid.”
  • “Diameter 55 mm.”

Reported Dial Features and Stop Mechanism

The dial side of the watch is not visible in the provided photograph. According to the seller's description, it features a white enamel dial with Roman numerals and mineral glass, signed "Railway timekeeper quick beat".

The seller also records a small lever corresponding to numeral 7 that operates a toggle to stop the movement, referring to it as a stopwatch function. An accompanying key for winding and setting is also noted.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial with roman numerals signed "Railway timekeeper quick beat". Mineral glass.”
  • “On the dial corresponding to number 7 there is a small lever that allows you to operate the toggle and stop the watch (Stopwatch).”
  • “Equipped with a key for charging and setting.”

Open research questions

  • What specific date letter punch is present in the Birmingham hallmarks on the case interior, resolving the discrepancy between 1856 in the text and 1857 in the listing title?
  • Does the movement or case bear a serial number that would allow cross-referencing with Liverpool production records?
  • How does the reported stop mechanism at 7 o'clock interface internally with the balance or train wheels?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Joseph Johnson full hunter pocket watch with Liverpool jewelling
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case materialSterling silver“Full hunter sterling silver case with treatment Guilloché”
HallmarksBirmingham, 1856“hallmarked City of Birmingham year 1856.”
Case diameter55 mm“Diameter 55 mm.”
Movement descriptionFull plate with fusee and English lever escapement“High quality full plate movement with dust cover, engraved cock, Fusee and english lever escapement”
JewellingLiverpool jewelling“large transparent jewels stopped with screws (also called "Liverpool Jewelling").”
Dial inscriptionRailway timekeeper quick beat“White enamel dial with roman numerals signed "Railway timekeeper quick beat".”
Stop mechanismToggle lever at 7 o'clock“On the dial corresponding to number 7 there is a small lever that allows you to operate the toggle and stop the watch (Stopwatch).”
Accompanying accessoriesKey for winding and setting“Equipped with a key for charging and setting.”

Visible details

  • Gilded full plate is engraved 'JOSEPH JOHNSON' and 'Liverpool'.
  • Engraved balance cock with regulator scale is visible above the balance wheel.
  • A detached circular gilt dust cap rests behind the movement.
  • Hallmarks are visible stamped into the interior of the opened silver case covers.

Research qualifications

  • The dealer listing gives both 1856 and 1857 across the listing title and text.
  • The dial and case exterior described in the text are not shown in this photograph.

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

Consulted source

Proantic: Full Hunter Pocket Watch, Liverpool Jewelling, Joseph Johnso

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 46e396f7b1

Terms in this record

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

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