Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Skeleton pocket watch

New England Watch Co. Skeleton Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This antique American skeleton pocket watch is catalogued as a production by the New England Watch Co. dating to circa 1905. Built in a size 16 format, the watch features a snap-off silver case fitted with display crystals on both the front and back. Its openwork gilt dial displays cut-out Arabic numeral hour markers and black hands, accompanied by a subsidiary seconds track positioned at 6 o'clock. The visible manual movement is catalogued as bearing the 'N.E.W. Co.' mark and utilizes a four-jewel duplex escapement.

Front view of New England Watch Co. skeleton pocket watch showing the openwork gilt dial and exposed movement gears
Front view of New England Watch Co. skeleton pocket watch showing the openwork gilt dial and exposed movement gears — Garth's Auctioneers & Appraisers. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Skeleton pocket watch
Maker / attribution
New England Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
98
Source-reported date
ca. 1905
Country
United States

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

Dial and Visual Display

The pocket watch incorporates an openwork gilt dial plate designed to showcase internal gearing. The skeletonized layout features cutout Arabic numerals serving as black hour markers, paired with dark hands. At the 6 o'clock position, a subsidiary seconds track displays 10-second numbered intervals alongside fine index markings.

Through the open areas of the front dial ring, the wheel train is exposed to direct view. The dial is set under a front protective glass display within a coin-edge or reeded outer bezel.

Evidence for this section
  • “Openworked gilt dial ring featuring Arabic numerals exposing the underlying wheel train”
  • “Gilt cut out dial has black hour markers and hands, subsidiary second dial at "6" position.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds ring at the 6 o'clock position with 10-second markings”
  • “Coin-edge or reeded pattern along the outer bezel and case rim”

Case Construction and Exterior Hardware

The watch is encased in silver hardware described in auction documentation as having a case that snaps off. The cataloguer reports that the watch is fitted with glass displays on both the front and back, allowing the movement to be observed from the reverse side.

Visible at the 12 o'clock position is an onion-style winding crown flanked by a rounded suspension bow. Decorative coin-edge or reeded patterning runs along the outer bezel and case rim.

Evidence for this section
  • “Watch is fitted with glass display on back and front so that movement is visible on back side.”
  • “Silver case snaps off.”
  • “Onion-style winding crown flanked by a rounded suspension bow at 12 o'clock”
  • “Coin-edge or reeded pattern along the outer bezel and case rim”

Movement Specifications and Cataloguer Documentation

The auction catalogue records the mechanism as a size 16 movement marked 'N.E.W. Co.', attributed to the New England Watch Co. It is documented as featuring a duplex escapement and a four-jewel configuration, and was noted as being in running condition at the time of cataloguing.

The auction entry assigns an origin of 'American, ca. 1905'. Because the provided photographic documentation only depicts the front of the watch, the rear glass display, specific movement markings, and any unrecorded hallmarks rely entirely on the auction house text rather than direct visual confirmation.

Evidence for this section
  • “American, ca. 1905.”
  • “Movement is marked N.E.W. Co., duplex escapement, four jewel movement, size 16.”
  • “In running condition.”

Open research questions

  • What specific silver purity stamps or case maker marks, if any, appear inside the snap-off silver case?
  • Does the movement bear an individual serial number or specific caliber designation beyond the catalogued 'N.E.W. Co.' mark?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for New England Watch Co. Skeleton Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker MarkingN.E.W. Co.“Movement is marked N.E.W. Co.”
EscapementDuplex escapement“duplex escapement, four jewel movement”
Movement SizeSize 16“size 16”
Case MaterialSilver“Silver case snaps off.”
Dial DesignGilt cut out dial with subsidiary seconds“Gilt cut out dial has black hour markers and hands, subsidiary second dial at "6" position.”
Case Display ConfigurationGlass display on back and front“Watch is fitted with glass display on back and front so that movement is visible on back side.”
Reported ConditionIn running condition“In running condition.”

Visible details

  • Openworked gilt dial ring featuring Arabic numerals exposing the underlying wheel train
  • Onion-style winding crown flanked by a rounded suspension bow at 12 o'clock
  • Coin-edge or reeded pattern along the outer bezel and case rim
  • Subsidiary seconds ring at the 6 o'clock position with 10-second markings

Research qualifications

  • The movement markings and rear glass display are not visible in the provided front photograph.
  • Specific silver purity is not specified beyond the description of a silver snap-off case.

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: NEW ENGLAND WATCH CO. SKELETON POCKET WATCH.

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record fd88deaee3

Terms in this record

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

Other skeleton pocket watch records