Pocket watch · Pair cased pocket chronometer

Joseph Johnson No. 441 gold pair-cased pocket chronometer

Partially verified

This gold pair-cased pocket chronometer is catalogued as made by Joseph Johnson of Liverpool around 1815–1816, bearing movement number 441. The watch features an 18ct gold pair case hallmarked for Chester (1815–16), with an engine-turned outer case and a plain inner case. Its white enamel dial displays Roman numerals, gold hands, and a large subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The source reports a gilded full-plate movement incorporating a spring detent escapement, an Earnshaw-type balance with moveable timing weights, a blued steel helical spring, and a fusee with chain.

Front view of the gold pair-cased pocket chronometer dial and outer case — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.sothebys.com
Category: Pocket watch · Pair cased pocket chronometer
Maker / attribution: Joseph Johnson
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 139
Source-reported date: 1815-1816
Country: United Kingdom
Source-reported serial: 441

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

Dial and Visual Presentation

Visual observation of the watch shows a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track. Time is marked by gold hands, including an hour hand featuring a heart or spade motif near its tip, accompanied by a subsidiary seconds dial at the bottom marked with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.

The outer bezel features an engraved scrolling pattern around the crystal, and a gold pendant and stirrup bow are attached at the 12 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section

“White enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track.”
“Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the bottom with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.”
“Outer bezel features an engraved scrolling pattern around the crystal.”
“Gold pendant and stirrup bow attached at 12 o'clock.”

Case Construction and Hallmarks

According to the auction cataloguer, the watch has an 18ct gold pair-case construction. The outer case measures 60 mm in diameter and is described as featuring bright-cut engine-turned decoration centered with a vacant cartouche, while the inner case measures 54 mm, is plain polished, and has a winding aperture on the back. The total weight is recorded as approximately 190 g.

Both inner and outer cases are reported to be hallmarked for Chester 1815–16 with maker's mark 'EJ incuse with crescent moon'. The inner case is additionally recorded with an incuse mark 'JJ' and numbered 441.

Evidence for this section

“Cases: 18ct gold, plain polished inner case, aperture for winding to back, outer case 18ct gold with bright cut engine-turned decoration and centred with a vacant cartouche, engine-turned bezels with scrolling motif, inner and outer cases hallmarked Chester 1815-16 and with maker's mark EJ incuse with crescent moon, inner case with additional mark JJ incuse and numbered 441”
“Outer case diameter 60mm, inner case 54mm. Weight: approx. 190 g.”

Reported Movement Specification

The movement is not visible in the provided image and is documented from the auction description. It is catalogued as a gilded full plate with cylindrical pillars, signed 'Joseph Johnson, Liverpool, No. 441'.

The cataloguer notes a spring detent escapement, an Earnshaw-type large bi-metallic balance with two moveable keystone timing weights, a blued steel helical spring, a diamond endstone, and a fusee with chain.

Evidence for this section

“Movement: gilded full plate, spring detent escapement, Earnshaw-type large bi-metallic balance with two moveable keystone timing weights, blued steel helical spring, diamond endstone, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, signed Joseph Johnson, Liverpool, No. 441”

Open research questions

Which casemaker does the Chester hallmark sponsor mark 'EJ incuse with crescent moon' represent?
Does the inner case mark 'JJ incuse' correspond to Joseph Johnson as casemaker or a different trade mark?
What is the physical condition and completeness of the internal movement, spring detent escapement, and helical spring, which are not depicted in the listing photograph?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Joseph Johnson No. 441 gold pair-cased pocket chronometer
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Movement number	441	“numbered 441”
Hallmark date and assay	Chester 1815-16	“inner and outer cases hallmarked Chester 1815-16”
Escapement type	Spring detent escapement	“spring detent escapement”
Outer case diameter	60 mm	“Outer case diameter 60mm”
Inner case diameter	54 mm	“inner case 54mm”
Total approximate weight	190 g	“Weight: approx. 190 g.”
Movement signature	Joseph Johnson, Liverpool, No. 441	“signed Joseph Johnson, Liverpool, No. 441”
Outer case maker's mark	EJ incuse with crescent moon	“maker's mark EJ incuse with crescent moon”
Collection provenance note	Masterworks of Time Collection	“Property from the Masterworks of Time Collection”

Visible details

White enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track.
Gold hands with a heart or spade motif near the tip of the hour hand.
Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the bottom with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.
Outer bezel features an engraved scrolling pattern around the crystal.
Gold pendant and stirrup bow attached at 12 o'clock.

Research qualifications

The internal movement, helical spring, and hallmarks are reported by the cataloguer and not visible in the provided image.
The rear case decoration and inner case are not visible in this front view.

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

Consulted source

Joseph Johnson, Liverpool | Joseph Johnson No. 441 A gold pair cased

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e7878eec50

Terms in this record

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