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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Rotherham & Sons 1903 Silver Pocket Watch

Partially verified

According to dealer documentation, this English open-face pocket watch dates to 1903 and features a stem-winding movement by Rotherham & Sons, signed by retailer W W Wilson of Croydon. The silver case measures 48 mm in diameter excluding the stem and loop, with Birmingham hallmarks for 1903 and Rotherham & Sons maker's marks reported inside the case back. The white dial displays Roman numerals, an outer minute track, blued steel hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.

Dial view of the Rotherham & Sons silver pocket watch on a clear display stand
Dial view of the Rotherham & Sons silver pocket watch on a clear display stand — The Vintage Wrist Watch Company. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiques-atlas.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Rotherham & Sons
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
as170a10374
Source-reported date
1903
Source-reported place
United Kingdom

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 Hands

The white dial features bold black Roman numerals and a peripheral minute track, accompanied by a sunken subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock marked with Arabic ten-second numerals. The hands are blued steel and operate via a pin-set mechanism.

A small pin-set push piece is visible on the case rim adjacent to 1 o'clock. The dial layout is presented without an apparent dial maker signature in available visual documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with bold black Roman numerals and peripheral minute track”
  • “Sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock with Arabic ten-second numerals”
  • “as is the dial with pin-set blued steel hands, a sunken subsidiary seconds dial and outer minute markers.”
  • “Small pin-set push piece visible on the case rim adjacent to 1 o'clock”

Case Construction and Exterior

The open-face pocket watch is housed in a silver case measuring 48 mm in diameter, excluding the winding stem and loop. Visible fittings include a fluted onion-style brass or gold-tone winding crown and a circular silver bow.

The source reports hallmarks inside the case back for Birmingham 1903 alongside a maker's mark for Rotherham & Sons. The dealer listing also notes initials engraved on the back that are ornate enough to appear like a pattern, though the case back is not depicted in the provided photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch measures 48mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
  • “Fluted onion-style brass or gold-tone winding crown with circular silver bow”
  • “The case is silver and there are hallmarks inside the case back for Birmingham 1903, with a maker’s mark for Rotherham & Sons.”
  • “Initials to the back although they are so ornate, it looks more like a pattern.”

Reported Movement and Retailer

According to the source listing, the watch is powered by an English stem-winding movement by Rotherham & Sons, which is stated to be protected by an inner hinged cover.

The movement is reported to be signed by the original retailer, recorded as W W Wilson of 10 & 11 Station Road, Croydon. Because internal movement photographs are not included in the record, specific movement caliber details, jewel counts, and serial numbers are not documented in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch has an English stem-winding movement by Rotherham & Sons which is working nicely.”
  • “The movement is signed by the original retailer of the watch, W W Wilson of 10 & 11 Station Road, Croydon.”
  • “The movement is protected by an inner hinged cover.”

Open research questions

  • What specific maker's mark punch (e.g., 'R&S') appears alongside the 1903 Birmingham hallmarks inside the case back and cuvette?
  • What is the mechanical layout, caliber designation, jewel count, and movement serial number on the Rotherham & Sons movement?
  • What exact initials are engraved on the reverse of the case back?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rotherham & Sons 1903 Silver Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerRotherham & Sons“The watch has an English stem-winding movement by Rotherham & Sons which is working nicely.”
Retailer SignatureW W Wilson of Croydon“The movement is signed by the original retailer of the watch, W W Wilson of 10 & 11 Station Road, Croydon.”
Case HallmarksBirmingham 1903“The case is silver and there are hallmarks inside the case back for Birmingham 1903, with a maker’s mark for Rotherham & Sons.”
Diameter48mm“The watch measures 48mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
Hands and DialPin-set blued steel hands with subsidiary seconds“as is the dial with pin-set blued steel hands, a sunken subsidiary seconds dial and outer minute markers.”
Retailer Address10 & 11 Station Road, Croydon“The movement is signed by the original retailer of the watch, W W Wilson of 10 & 11 Station Road, Croydon.”
Inner CoverInner hinged cover“The movement is protected by an inner hinged cover.”
Case Back EngravingOrnate initials resembling a pattern“Initials to the back although they are so ornate, it looks more like a pattern.”

Visible details

  • White dial with bold black Roman numerals and peripheral minute track
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock with Arabic ten-second numerals
  • Fluted onion-style brass or gold-tone winding crown with circular silver bow
  • Small pin-set push piece visible on the case rim adjacent to 1 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Movement and interior hallmarks are not visible in the provided photograph
  • The ornate monogram on the case back is described by the source but not depicted

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

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - Antique 1903 Rotherham & Sons Pocket Watch as170a10374

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 98b59a8aa8

Terms in this record

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

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