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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Chronometer

Large Silver English Pocket Chronometer

Partially verified

This English pocket chronometer, dating to 1803, is housed in a large, plain silver consular case. The timepiece features a white enamel dial with Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial, and blued steel Breguet-style hands. The mechanical movement is key-wound with a full gilt plate, featuring a fusee and chain mechanism. Technical specifications include a Harrison's maintaining power, a pierced barrel bridge, and a bimetallic 'Z' type compensation balance with screw-weights. The escapement is an Earnshaw-type spring detent mechanism with jeweled locking pallets and gold settings. The balance cock is fitted with a diamond endstone, and the movement utilizes a freesprung blued steel balance spring. The watch is signed 'Reid London' on the dial and movement, with the case maker's mark 'DW' and London hallmarks, marking it as an example of early 19th-century portable precision timekeeping.

Front view of the silver pocket chronometer, showing the white enamel dial, Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, and Breguet-style hands.
Front view of the silver pocket chronometer, showing the white enamel dial, Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, and Breguet-style hands. — Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Chronometer
Maker / attribution
Reid (with '91' on dial)
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1803
Source-reported place
England
Source-reported serial
1891

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 presented in a large, plain silver consular case, which conforms to standard English case styles of the period. The exterior is simple in design, featuring a substantial silver oval bow and pendant attachment, which serves as the mounting for the watch.

The dial is composed of white enamel, which remains a standard choice for high-precision timepieces of this era to ensure legibility. It features black Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the bottom of the dial face. The time is indicated by blued steel hands executed in a Breguet style, while the seconds hand axle is constructed from gold.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب ساعت از نوع کنسولار نقره‌ای ساده و بزرگ با آویز و حلقه بیضی‌شکل از جنس نقره”
  • “صفحه ساعت از مینای سفید همراه با امضا و شماره‌گذاری ساخته شده”
  • “عقربه‌های اصلی از فولاد آبی‌رنگ با طرح Breguet بوده و محور ثانیه‌شمار دارای ساختار طلا است.”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a full-plate construction finished with gilding. It incorporates a traditional fusee and chain mechanism, which provides constant force to the gear train. The movement includes a Harrison-style maintaining power system, allowing the watch to continue running while being wound.

Precision is regulated by an Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement, which features gold locking pallets with screwed settings. The balance assembly utilizes a bimetallic 'Z'-type compensation balance with adjustable screw-weights. The balance staff is supported by a diamond endstone located on the balance cock, and the system is equipped with a freesprung blued steel balance spring to eliminate the need for a regulator.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت دارای صفحه کامل طلاکاری‌شده، مکانیزم زنجیر و فیوزی (fusee) و کوک با کلید است.”
  • “خرک رقاصک دارای سنگ انتهایی الماس و رقاصک جبرانی دوفلزی نوع «Z» با لبه‌های پیچ‌شده”

Signatures and Marks

The watch bears clear indicators of its origin and identity, including a specific maker's mark 'DW' struck on the silver case. The case also features London hallmarks, identifying the city where the watch was assessed and marked in 1803.

The movement plate is engraved with the signature 'W Reid London' along with the serial number '1891', which is also present on the watch dial. These inscriptions link the component parts to the specified maker and provide the necessary chronological data for the instrument.

Evidence for this section
  • “نشان سازنده «DW» بر روی آن درج شده است.”
  • “در سال ۱۸۰۳ در لندن نشان‌گذاری شده است.”

Open research questions

  • What is the full identity of the silversmith using the 'DW' mark in London in 1803?
  • Is there further historical documentation regarding the specific 'Reid' of London referenced by the serial number 1891?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Large Silver English Pocket Chronometer
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Date1803“در سال ۱۸۰۳ در لندن نشان‌گذاری شده است.”
MakerReid“امضا و شماره‌گذاری ساخته شده”
Case MarkDW“نشان سازنده «DW» بر روی آن درج شده است.”
EscapementEarnshaw-type spring detent“مکانیزم مهار دتنت فنری نوع Earnshaw”
BalanceBimetallic 'Z' type“رقاصک جبرانی دوفلزی نوع «Z»”
Maintaining PowerHarrison's“سیستم حفظ نیروی Harrison”
HandsBlued steel Breguet-style“عقربه‌های اصلی از فولاد آبی‌رنگ با طرح Breguet”

Visible details

  • Case features a large, plain consular design with a silver oval bow and pendant.
  • Dial displays Roman numeral hour markers and a subsidiary seconds sub-dial at the bottom.
  • Balance assembly includes a diamond endstone atop the balance cock.

Research qualifications

  • The exact provenance of the piece beyond its date and London hallmarks is not stated.
  • The specific identification of the 'DW' maker mark on the case is provided by the source but is not fully detailed as to which specific silversmith it belongs to.

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

Consulted source

Large Silver English Pocket Chronometer

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 7d849de6c6

Terms in this record

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

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