Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Open-Face Pocket Watch with Chain

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch features an 18 kt rose gold case measuring 48 mm in diameter, accompanied by a matching 18 kt rose gold chain measuring 210 mm in length. Its white dial displays black Roman hour numerals, outer Arabic five-minute markers, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, and gilded poire-style hands. According to the auction catalogue, the manual-wind movement features a gilt bridge layout, wolf's tooth winding wheels, a counterpoised lever escapement, and a cut bimetallic screw balance with a Breguet hairspring. The source also reports a monogram engraved on the outer case back and hand setting operated via a case pusher.

Dial view of the 18 kt rose gold open-face pocket watch with attached chain
Dial view of the 18 kt rose gold open-face pocket watch with attached chain — Dobiaschofsky Auktionen AG. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
572
Source-reported date
Um 1890
Source-reported place
Not established
Source-reported serial
19811

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 Construction and Features

The pocket watch is housed in an 18 kt rose gold case measuring 48 mm in diameter. The outer case back features an engraved monogram. The timepiece is accompanied by an 18 kt rose gold chain measuring 210 mm in length.

The watch face displays a white dial with black Roman hour numerals and an outer minute track featuring Arabic five-minute markers. The display includes a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position and uses gilded poire-style hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “Material: Roségold 18 kt. Grösse: Ø 48 mm, L: 210 mm (Kette).”
  • “Aussendeckel mit Monogrammgravur”
  • “Weisses Zifferblatt mit Minuteneinteilung, schwarzen römischen Stundenziffern und arabischen Minutenziffern sowie vergoldeten Poirezeigern.”
  • “Vierteiliges Modell mit Kleiner Sekunde (bei 6-Uhr).”

Movement and Mechanical Details

The manual-wind movement is described as having a gilt bridge layout, wolf's tooth winding wheels, a counterpoised lever escapement, and a cut bimetallic screw balance with a Breguet hairspring. Hand setting is operated via a pusher integrated into the case.

The movement is not serialized, and no maker signature is recorded on the movement or the dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “Vergoldetes Brückenuhrwerk und Anker mit Gegengewichten, geschnittene Bimetall-Schraubenunruhe mit Breguetspirale. Aufzugsräder mit Wolfsverzahnung.”
  • “Zeigerstellung mittels Drücker am Gehäuse.”
  • “Werk-Nr.: Ohne Nr.”

Auction Attribution and Documentation

The auction source dates the watch to circa 1890 and lists the case number as 19811. The auction house notes that all details are provided by third-party consignors and explicitly excludes liability for the information provided in the catalogue.

Prospective buyers are advised to verify details independently, as the auction house does not guarantee the accuracy of periods or technical descriptions.

Evidence for this section
  • “Jahr: Um 1890.”
  • “Gehäuse-Nr.: 19811.”
  • “However every liability is excluded for the information provided.”

Open research questions

  • Are there internal case hallmarks that provide information on the origin or manufacturer?
  • Can the described pusher-style hand setting and movement architecture be correlated with specific Swiss ébauche production of the 1890s?
  • Is the monogram on the case back consistent with the historical period of the watch?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Open-Face Pocket Watch with Chain
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Number19811“Gehäuse-Nr.: 19811.”
Movement NumberOhne Nr.“Werk-Nr.: Ohne Nr.”
Case Material18 kt rose gold“Material: Roségold 18 kt.”
DimensionsDiameter 48 mm, chain length 210 mm“Grösse: Ø 48 mm, L: 210 mm (Kette).”
Accessory18 kt rose gold chain“Zubehör: Kette aus Roségold 18 kt.”
Hand SettingPusher on case“Zeigerstellung mittels Drücker am Gehäuse.”
Movement NumberNot recorded“Werk-Nr.: Ohne Nr.”

Visible details

  • White dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track marked with Arabic five-minute numerals
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock with black Arabic markers
  • Gilded poire-style hour and minute hands
  • Open-face rose gold case attached to a looped gold ring fitting and link chain at the pendant bow

Research qualifications

  • No maker signature is reported on the dial or movement in the source description
  • Movement and case back exterior are not visible in the supplied photograph; movement details are source-reported

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

Consulted source

At Auction: LÉPINE-TASCHENUHR / OPEN-FACE POCKET WATCH

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 6022e59d52

Terms in this record

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

Other open-face pocket watch records