Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Key wind and set pocket watch movement

Moritz Grossmann 20 Ligne Nickel Silver Pocket Watch Movement

Partially verified

This is an unmounted 20 ligne nickel silver pocket watch movement catalogued by Schmitt Horan & Co. as the work of Moritz Grossmann, Dresden, circa 1875. The key-wind and key-set half-plate caliber is decorated with sunburst damascening and bears the engraved serial number 29997. Source documentation details a 15 to 16 jewel configuration, a cut bimetallic balance with gold timing screws, a diamond endstone, and a Grossmann micrometric regulator. Additionally, the source notes a gold lever with Lange banking, a gold train, Geneva stop work, and a Roman numeral white enamel dial with blued steel hands.

Back view of the nickel silver half-plate movement showing the balance cock, Grossmann regulator, Geneva stop work, and engraved script
Back view of the nickel silver half-plate movement showing the balance cock, Grossmann regulator, Geneva stop work, and engraved script — Schmitt Horan & Co.. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bidsquare.com
Category
Movement · Key wind and set pocket watch movement
Maker / attribution
Moritz Grossmann
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
527
Source-reported date
circa 1875
Country
Germany
Source-reported serial
29997

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

Identity and Caliber Markings

The item is catalogued by Schmitt Horan & Co. as an uncased 20 ligne nickel silver pocket watch movement attributed to Moritz Grossmann, Dresden, and dated circa 1875. The movement is configured as a key-wind and key-set half plate.

Engraved script signatures reading 'Grossmann' and 'Dresden' flank the serial number 'No 29997' along the outer perimeter of the plate. The circular plate surface exhibits radiating spiral sunburst damascening.

Evidence for this section
  • “Moritz Grossmann, Dresden, a 20 ligne nickel silver pocket watch movement”
  • “Engraved script signatures 'Grossmann' and 'Dresden' along the outer perimeter, flanking the serial number 'No 29997'.”
  • “Circular nickel silver half plate decorated with radiating spiral sunburst damascening.”

Visible Escapement and Plate Observations

Direct visual observation of the movement reverse shows an open balance assembly with a split bimetallic rim fitted with weighted screws, hairspring, and a micrometric regulator index marked 'F' and 'S'.

Also visible across the nickel silver plate are square winding arbors, heat-blued screws, and a Geneva stop work mechanism mounted adjacent to the barrel arbor.

Evidence for this section
  • “Open balance assembly showing a split bimetallic rim with weighted screws, hairspring, and a micrometric regulator index marked 'F' and 'S'.”
  • “Visible Geneva stop work mechanism, square winding arbors, and heat-blued screws across the plate.”

Source-Reported Specifications and Condition

The auction catalog description lists several features not fully visible in the reverse photograph, including a 15 to 16 jewel count, a cut bimetallic balance with gold timing screws, a diamond endstone, a gold lever with Lange banking, a gold wheel train, a Roman numeral white enamel dial, and blued steel hands.

Condition is reported by the seller rather than verified in running order: dirty and gummy, running only with pressure applied to the train. The cataloguer also notes minor fingerprint staining and spotting, minor marring on the balance endstone setting, a dial edge flake with a faint hairline running from center to seconds bit, and oxide at the tip of the minute hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “with 15 -16 jewel, key wind and set, damascened 1/2 plate movement with cut bimetallic balance, gold timing screws, diamond endstone, Grossmann micrometric regulator, gold lever with Lange banking, gold wheel train, and Geneva stop work, roman numeral white enamel dial, and blued steel hands, serial #29997”
  • “Condition dirty, gummy, runs with pressure on train, minor fingerprint staining and spotting, balance endstone setting with minor marring, dial with edge flake and faint hairline from center to seconds bit, minute hand with oxide at tip, circa 1875”

Open research questions

  • Does dial-side photography confirm the Roman numeral configuration, signature, and noted hairline crack from center to seconds bit?
  • Does inspection beneath the plate clarify whether the jewel count is 15 or 16 jewels?
  • Are there archival Moritz Grossmann production ledgers linking serial number 29997 to a specific delivery date or original case style?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Moritz Grossmann 20 Ligne Nickel Silver Pocket Watch Movement
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerMoritz Grossmann, Dresden“Moritz Grossmann, Dresden”
Movement Size20 ligne“a 20 ligne nickel silver pocket watch movement”
Jewel Count15-16 jewel“15 -16 jewel”
Movement LayoutDamascened 1/2 plate“damascened 1/2 plate movement”
Regulator TypeGrossmann micrometric regulator“Grossmann micrometric regulator”
Serial Number29997“serial #29997”
Circa Datecirca 1875“circa 1875”
Winding and SettingKey wind and set“key wind and set”
Reported Jewel Count15-16 jewel“15 -16 jewel”
Reported Escapement TypeGold lever with Lange banking“gold lever with Lange banking”
Reported Train MaterialGold wheel train“gold wheel train”

Visible details

  • Circular nickel silver half plate decorated with radiating spiral sunburst damascening.
  • Engraved script signatures 'Grossmann' and 'Dresden' along the outer perimeter, flanking the serial number 'No 29997'.
  • Open balance assembly showing a split bimetallic rim with weighted screws, hairspring, and a micrometric regulator index marked 'F' and 'S'.
  • Visible Geneva stop work mechanism, square winding arbors, and heat-blued screws across the plate.

Research qualifications

  • No watch case is present; the item is catalogued as a bare uncased movement.
  • The dial and hands described in the auction text are not visible in the provided movement reverse photograph.
  • Source reports condition issues including dirt, gumminess, train stickiness, minor fingerprint staining, a dial edge flake with faint hairline, and oxide on the minute hand tip.

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

Consulted source

A 20 ligne nickel silver pocket watch movement by Moritz Grossmann sold at auction on 6th May | Bidsquare

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8b026a7265

Terms in this record

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