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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Stem-winding pocket watch

Kays Universal Silver Pocket Watch with Chain and Fobs

Partially verified

This pocket watch, branded as a Kays Universal Lever, is a stem-winding timepiece dating to 1919. The watch features a 51mm heavy sterling silver case, which is hallmarked for Birmingham and attributed to the manufacturer Aaron Dennison. The dial includes both standard Roman numerals and an inner ring of red 24-hour markers. The movement is protected by a hinged inner dust cover. Accompanying the watch is a 30cm silver chain, noted with lion hallmarks on each link, as well as a Queen Victoria silver coin fob dated 1889 and a coin inscribed with the Lord's Prayer. The case back features an engine-turned pattern and a central vacant cartouche. The auction description reports the watch is in good working order and notes that the name of a previous owner is engraved on the inside of the case back.

The Kays Universal Lever pocket watch shown with its attached silver chain and two fobs.
The Kays Universal Lever pocket watch shown with its attached silver chain and two fobs. — Ashton-Blakey Vintage Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
ashton-blakey-antiques.com
Category
Pocket watch · Stem-winding pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Kays of Worcester
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1919
Source-reported place
England

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 Design

The watch is housed in a 51mm sterling silver case with engine-turned detailing across the back and a central vacant cartouche. The case is secured with a hinged back and an inner hinged cover for the movement. The dial is signed "Kays Universal Lever" and features standard black Roman numerals for the hours.

Additional timekeeping features include a secondary ring of red 24-hour numerals positioned inside the Roman hour markers. The dial is equipped with metallic hands and a subsidiary seconds dial located at the six o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “The case is a heavy 2oz silver case”
  • “The signed dial is in fine condition, and the inner red 24 hour numerals are a special and attractive feature.”

Movement and Construction

The movement is a stem-winding mechanism described by the vendor as being in good working order. It is shielded by a hinged inner dust cover, which provides additional protection to the internal components. The movement appears to be of Swiss production as indicated by markings on the plate.

The case was manufactured by Aaron Dennison, who is noted as an English case manufacturer. The hallmarks on the case confirm its assay at the Birmingham office in 1919. An engraving of a previous owner's name is present on the inside surface of the case back.

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement is protected by an inner hinged cover.”
  • “case maker’s mark for Aaron Dennison, a prolific English manufacturer of cases.”
  • “Also engraved inside the case back is the name of a previous owner of the watch.”

Chain and Accessories

The watch is offered with a 30cm silver chain that includes a T-bar and clasp. The authenticity of the chain's silver content is indicated by the presence of a lion mark on every link.

Two decorative fobs accompany the chain. One is a silver coin depicting Queen Victoria, dated 1889, and the other is a commemorative coin inscribed with the text of the Lord's Prayer.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch comes with a single silver chain, 30 cm long including the T-bar and the clasp. Each of the links has the lion silver mark.”
  • “Also included is a silver coin fob of Queen Victoria dated 1889 as well as a coin with LORDS PRAYER on it.”

Open research questions

  • Is the movement calibrated or branded by a specific Swiss manufacturer?
  • What is the full provenance of the owner named in the case engraving?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Kays Universal Silver Pocket Watch with Chain and Fobs
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case materialSterling silver“English Kays Sterling silver pocket watch”
Case diameter51mm“The watch measures 51mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
Assay officeBirmingham“hallmarked for Birmingham 1919”
Case manufacturerAaron Dennison“case maker’s mark for Aaron Dennison”
Weight2oz“heavy 2oz silver case”
Movement windingStem-winding“stem-winding movement which is well working”
Chain length30cm“30 cm long including the T-bar and the clasp”
Fob dating1889“silver coin fob of Queen Victoria dated 1889”

Visible details

  • Engine-turned pattern on the silver case back
  • Inner red 24-hour numeral track on the dial
  • Hinged dust cover over the movement
  • Two distinct coin fobs attached to the chain

Research qualifications

  • Maker of the movement is not specified
  • Exact date of ownership engraving is not verified

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

Consulted source

ساعت جیبی نقره Kays Universal Lever به همراه زنجیر و فوب مدل ۱۹۱۹

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 630f78dc6d

Terms in this record

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

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