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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Rotherham & Sons 1930s open-face pocket watch

Partially verified

This 1930s open-face pocket watch associated with Rotherham & Sons features a Swiss stem-winding movement housed in an English Dennison Star gold-plated case measuring 50 mm in diameter excluding the stem and loop. The white dial displays black Roman numerals, an outer minute track, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. According to the seller, the movement is signed with Rotherham's trident logo, and an inner protective cover bears a presentation engraving dated 1887 to 1937 from the Masters and Mistresses of Colet Court.

Dial and case front of the Rotherham & Sons 1930s open-face pocket watch
Dial and case front of the Rotherham & Sons 1930s open-face pocket watch — 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 and Son
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
as170a10271
Source-reported date
1930s
Country
Switzerland

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 Presentation

The pocket watch features an open-face dial design with black Roman numerals marking the hours, an outer minute track, and diamond-shaped accents at five-minute intervals. Time is indicated by blued steel hands, specifically a spade hour hand and whip minute hand, alongside a subsidiary seconds dial set above the 6 o'clock position with Arabic ten-second numerals.

The movement is encased in a gold-tone circular housing with a rounded front bezel, an onion or fluted winding crown, and a matching bow at the 12 o'clock position. The seller listing describes the front as being fitted with a glass lens, and no maker or brand signatures appear on the visible dial surface.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial featuring black Roman numeral hour markers and an outer minute track with diamond markers at five-minute intervals.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds dial positioned above 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals in tens.”
  • “Blued steel spade hour hand and whip minute hand.”
  • “Gold-tone circular open-face case with rounded bezel, onion/fluted crown, and attached bow, displayed on a clear stand.”
  • “The glass lens is in lovely condition.”

Case Construction and Presentation Inscription

According to dealer documentation, the pocket watch case is a gold-plated 'Star' model manufactured by the Dennison Watch Case Company, an English firm known for supplying cases to various watchmakers. The watch case measures 50 mm in diameter, excluding the winding stem and attached bow.

The internal mechanism is protected by an inner cuvette or cover bearing an engraved presentation inscription: ‘C H Burt, Colet Court, 1887-1937, from the Masters and Mistresses’. The listing notes that Colet Court was a public school in London, later known as St Paul's.

Evidence for this section
  • “The case is the gold plated Star model from the Dennisons Watch Case Company.”
  • “Dennisons was an English manufacturing company, supplying cases to various watch makers.”
  • “The watch measures 50mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
  • “The movement is protected by an inner cover which is engraved with the wording, ‘C H Burt, Colet Court, 1887-1937, from the Masters and Mistresses’.”
  • “Colet Court was a public school in London, now known as St Pauls.”

Movement Attribution and Seller Documentation

The internal movement cannot be seen in the provided catalogue photograph, leaving its caliber reference, bridge layout, and jewel count unverified by direct observation. The seller reports that the movement is a Swiss stem-winding mechanism signed with Rotherham & Sons' trademark, described as the letters 'RS' situated on either side of a trident emblem.

Dealer commentary adds that Rotherham & Sons, in addition to being English watchmakers active through the 1940s, supplemented their operations by importing movements from Switzerland. The seller also notes that the watch is supplied in a new presentation box.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch has a Swiss stem-winding movement which is working nicely.”
  • “The movement is signed with the RS either side of a trident, the logo for Rotherham & Sons.”
  • “As well as being English watch manufacturers until the 1940s, Rotherhams also imported movements from Switzerland.”
  • “The watch comes in a new presentation box.”

Open research questions

  • What specific Swiss movement caliber, bridge architecture, and jewel count are revealed when the inner case back is opened?
  • Does the Dennison Star case back feature internal hallmark dates or serial numbers that correlate with the 1937 engraving date?
  • Do historical records or staff archives from Colet Court (St Paul's) identify C. H. Burt's role across the 1887–1937 period?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rotherham & Sons 1930s open-face pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement originSwiss stem-winding movement“The watch has a Swiss stem-winding movement which is working nicely.”
Maker markSigned with RS either side of a trident“The movement is signed with the RS either side of a trident, the logo for Rotherham & Sons.”
Case modelDennison Star gold-plated case“The case is the gold plated Star model from the Dennisons Watch Case Company.”
Case engravingC H Burt, Colet Court, 1887-1937“The movement is protected by an inner cover which is engraved with the wording, ‘C H Burt, Colet Court, 1887-1937, from the Masters and Mistresses’.”
Case diameter50mm excluding stem and loop“The watch measures 50mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
Case condition noteSeller notes minor marks to the side“Overall, the case is in good condition with just some little marks to the side.”
Dial descriptionDescribed by seller as in lovely condition with blued steel hands“The dial is in lovely condition with blued steel hands, a subsidiary seconds dial and an outer minute track.”

Visible details

  • White dial featuring black Roman numeral hour markers and an outer minute track with diamond markers at five-minute intervals.
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned above 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals in tens.
  • Blued steel spade hour hand and whip minute hand.
  • Gold-tone circular open-face case with rounded bezel, onion/fluted crown, and attached bow, displayed on a clear stand.

Research qualifications

  • The movement caliber, jewel count, and inner case engraving are not visible in the provided primary photograph.
  • Maker attribution and movement origin rely on seller documentation.

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

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - 1930s Rotherham & Sons Pocket Watch, Colet Court as170a10271

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record fb719c7dcf

Terms in this record

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

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