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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

M. I. Tobias & Co. Gold Massey II Lever Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This early 19th-century English key-wound pocket watch is signed by M. I. Tobias & Co. It is housed in an 18-karat gold open-face case featuring engine-turned decoration on the back and deeply chased floral embellishments along the band, pendant, and bow. The gold dial displays Roman numerals against a matte ground, accented with three-color gold floral ornamentation and blued steel hands. Internally, the watch utilizes a full-plate gilt movement, specifically a Massey type two lever escapement. Technical features include Harrison’s maintaining power, a dust cover, a diamond endstone, a blued steel Bosley regulator, and a three-arm polished steel balance. The movement is serial numbered 7569, which matches the case. The reverse of the case features a central medallion with engraved initials.

Front view of the 18-karat gold M. I. Tobias & Co pocket watch, showing the engine-turned dial with three-color gold floral decoration and blued steel hands.
Front view of the 18-karat gold M. I. Tobias & Co pocket watch, showing the engine-turned dial with three-color gold floral decoration and blued steel hands. — Zamanito (Pieces of Time). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
M. I. Tobias & Co
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Early 19th century
Source-reported place
England
Source-reported serial
7569

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 an 18-karat gold open-face case. The back cover exhibits an engine-turned pattern, centered by a small medallion containing engraved initials. The middle band of the case, the pendant, and the bow are decorated with deep relief floral and foliage engravings.

The dial is also constructed from gold, featuring gold Roman numerals set against a matte-textured background. The aesthetic is further detailed with three-color gold floral appliqués applied to the center and outer border of the dial. Time is indicated by blued steel hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “ساعت در یک قاب در باز (Open face) از جنس طلای ۱۸ عیار قرار دارد و به مکانیزم سنتی زنجیر و فوزی (Fusee) با سیستم توان مداوم هریسون (Harrison’s maintaining power) مجهز است.”
  • “قاب ساعت تماماً از طلای ۱۸ عیار با تزیینات گیوشه (Engine turned) در پشت و زه‌ها ساخته شده است.”
  • “صفحه ساعت نیز از جنس طلا بوده و اعداد رومی طلایی روی زمینه‌ای مات کار شده‌اند؛ بخش مرکزی و حاشیه بیرونی صفحه با تزیینات برجسته از طلای سه رنگ آراسته شده و عقربه‌های آن از فولاد آبی‌رنگ (Blue steel) هستند.”

Movement and Escapement

The watch is powered by a full-plate gilt movement equipped with a dust cover. A key feature is the Massey type two lever escapement, which is historically significant for this period. The movement includes Harrison’s maintaining power to ensure continuous operation during winding.

Technical specifications of the movement include a three-arm polished steel balance, a blued steel hairspring, and a Bosley-style regulator. The balance cock is intricately engraved and bears the inscription 'Patent – Detach'd'. A diamond endstone is present within the movement train.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت دارای صفحه کامل طلااندود (Full plate gilt) و مجهز به روکش ضد گردوغبار (Dust cover) طلااندود است.”
  • “خروسکی یا پل بالانس (Cock) با نقوش قلم‌زنی تزیین شده و عبارت «Patent – Detach'd» روی آن حک گردیده است.”
  • “از دیگر ویژگی‌های فنی موتور می‌توان به نگین انتهایی الماس (Diamond endstone)، رگولاتور فولادی آبی بازلی (Bosley regulator)، بالانس فولادی سه پره صیقلی، فنر مویی حلزونی فولاد آبی و شماره سریال ۷۵۶۹ هماهنگ با قاب اشاره نمود.”

Provenance and Condition

The movement serial number is 7569, which is documented to match the case. The auction house has noted that the current operational status, including the condition of the fusee chain and internal escapement components, is unknown and has not been recently serviced.

Prospective owners are advised that professional inspection is required to assess the functional health of the escapement and power delivery systems.

Evidence for this section
  • “طبق منبع، وضعیت سلامت کارکرد و سابقه سرویس اخیر گزارش نشده است”
  • “شماره سریال ۷۵۶۹ هماهنگ با قاب اشاره نمود.”
  • “همچنین اصالت مهر سازنده قاب (TH & Co) و تطابق تاریخی علائم طلاکاری توصیه می‌شود.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific historical significance of the 'TH & Co' case maker mark in relation to the Tobias workshop?
  • Are there recorded records for Tobias movements with the 7569 serial number that confirm the date of manufacture more precisely than 'early 19th century'?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for M. I. Tobias & Co. Gold Massey II Lever Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerM. I. Tobias & Co“ساخت کارگاه Tobias (با امضای M. I. Tobias & Co روی موتور)”
Movement serial7569“شماره سریال ۷۵۶۹ هماهنگ با قاب”
Case material18-karat gold“از جنس طلای ۱۸ عیار”
Escapement typeMassey type two lever“چرخ‌دنگ اهرمی نوع دو ماسی (Massey type two lever)”
Escapement inscriptionPatent – Detach'd“عبارت «Patent – Detach'd» روی آن حک گردیده است”
Power deliveryFusee and chain with Harrison's maintaining power“مکانیزم سنتی زنجیر و فوزی (Fusee) با سیستم توان مداوم هریسون (Harrison’s maintaining power)”
EndstoneDiamond“نگین انتهایی الماس (Diamond endstone)”
RegulatorBosley regulator“رگولاتور فولادی آبی بازلی (Bosley regulator)”

Visible details

  • Case features engine-turned finish with central engraved initials
  • Dial ornamentation utilizes three-color gold elements
  • Pendant and bow exhibit relief floral engravings
  • Movement bridge signed 'Patent – Detach'd'

Research qualifications

  • Condition of fusee chain, hairspring, and lever components is unverified
  • Historical accuracy of TH & Co maker marks requires verification

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

Consulted source

Gold Massey II Lever by Tobias

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 749fec9320

Terms in this record

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

Other open-face pocket watch records