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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face chronograph pocket watch

Marine Decimal Chronometer Open Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open face chronograph pocket watch features a round sterling silver case with a gold-filled bezel, hinge, and slide lever, accompanied by a separate winding key. Its bileveled cream dial displays black Roman numeral hour markers, two outer tracks, blued spade hands, and a central sweep hand. Inscriptions on the dial read 'Marine Decimal 41112 Chronograph'. According to auction cataloging, the gilt key-wind jeweled movement is numbered 4112, while the cuvette and inner case back bear number 41112 alongside English hallmarks with maker's mark W.J and an engraving reading W. Smith.

Dial and front view of the Marine Decimal Chronograph pocket watch with separate key
Dial and front view of the Marine Decimal Chronograph pocket watch with separate key — Clars Auctions. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face chronograph pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
2860
Source-reported date
Not established
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
41112

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

Visual Dial & Exterior Description

In direct observation, the pocket watch exhibits an open face configuration fitted with a reeded gold-tone bezel that contrasts with its silver-tone pendant and bow. It is depicted alongside a detached two-tone metal winding key.

The dial presents a bileveled cream surface showing black Roman numeral hour markers, blued spade hour and minute hands, and fine hairline cracks running across the lower and right quadrants. A gold-tone slide lever button is mounted on the case flank at approximately 2 o'clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “Open face pocket watch with a reeded gold-tone bezel and silver-tone bow and pendant.”
  • “Bileveled cream dial showing black Roman numerals, blued spade hands, and fine hairline cracks across the lower and right quadrant.”
  • “A gold-tone slide lever button is positioned on the case flank near 2 o'clock.”
  • “Accompanied by a two-tone metal winding key alongside the pendant.”

Dial Markings & Case Construction

The auction catalog describes the dial as having "two outer black Arabic numeral track for minutes and chronograph" and bearing the text "Marine Decimal 41112, Chronograph". It is also cataloged with a "center sweep chronograph hand".

The case structure is cataloged as "sterling silver, gold-filled hinge, button and bezel, round, open face". The catalog further notes an "outer: centered monogram shield" and mentions that the watch is "accompanied by key".

Evidence for this section
  • “two outer black Arabic numeral track for minutes and chronograph”
  • “Marine Decimal 41112, Chronograph”
  • “center sweep chronograph hand”
  • “Case: sterling silver, gold-filled hinge, button and bezel, round, open face”
  • “outer: centered monogram shield”
  • “accompanied by key”

Reported Movement & Cuvette Markings

The movement is not visible in the provided primary image. The auction house reports it as a "jeweled, key wind and set, gilt, Marine Decimal Chronograph" mechanism numbered "4112".

The interior components are reported to bear several distinct marks: the cuvette is cataloged as "cuvette two hole key wind and set, 41112, WJ, 5, Lion Passant (English hallmarks), engraved W. Smith", while the inner case back is recorded with "inner: 41112, English hallmarks, W.J, 5".

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: jeweled, key wind and set, gilt, Marine Decimal Chronograph, 4112”
  • “cuvette two hole key wind and set, 41112, WJ, 5, Lion Passant (English hallmarks), engraved W. Smith”
  • “inner: 41112, English hallmarks, W.J, 5”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement stamping read '4112' due to a cataloging typo, or is the movement serial genuinely non-matching with case and dial number '41112'?
  • What specific English assay office symbol and date letter accompany the Lion Passant mark to pinpoint the year and location of manufacture?
  • Which registered English casemaker corresponds to the sponsor's mark 'W.J' / 'WJ'?
  • Does the engraved name 'W. Smith' denote an owner, retailer, or horologist?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Marine Decimal Chronometer Open Face Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
DialBileveled cream dial with Roman numerals and outer tracks“Dial: bileveled, round, cream, with black Roman numeral hour markers, two outer black Arabic numeral track for minutes and chronograph”
HandsBlued spade hands with center sweep chronograph hand“blued spade hands, center sweep chronograph hand”
MovementGilt, jeweled, key wind and set“Movement: jeweled, key wind and set, gilt, Marine Decimal Chronograph, 4112”
Case MaterialsSterling silver with gold-filled hinge, button, and bezel“Case: sterling silver, gold-filled hinge, button and bezel, round, open face”
HallmarksEnglish hallmarks including Lion Passant and initials W.J“Lion Passant (English hallmarks), engraved W. Smith, inner: 41112, English hallmarks, W.J, 5”
Slide LeverOuter slide button lever situated at 2 o'clock“outer gold-filled slide button lever at 2 o'clock”
Case Back ExteriorDecorated with a centered monogram shield“outer: centered monogram shield”
Cuvette InscriptionEngraved with the name W. Smith“engraved W. Smith”
Cuvette ConfigurationPierced with two holes for key winding and setting“cuvette two hole key wind and set”

Visible details

  • Open face pocket watch with a reeded gold-tone bezel and silver-tone bow and pendant.
  • Bileveled cream dial showing black Roman numerals, blued spade hands, and fine hairline cracks across the lower and right quadrant.
  • A gold-tone slide lever button is positioned on the case flank near 2 o'clock.
  • Accompanied by a two-tone metal winding key alongside the pendant.

Research qualifications

  • Movement is not visible in the provided photograph.
  • Auction text lists the movement number as 4112 while the dial, cuvette, and inner case are cataloged as 41112.
  • Case back, hallmarks, and cuvette engravings are not visible in the primary image.

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: Marine decimal chronometer, sterling silver and gold-filled open face pocket watch

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 6fdec5fe5e

Terms in this record

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

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