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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Rotherham & Sons Silver Pocket Watch, 1919 Dennison Case

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch features a Dennison silver case hallmarked for Birmingham in 1919, measuring 50.4 mm in diameter excluding the winding stem and loop. The dealer reports it houses a Swiss stem-winding movement signed with the Rotherham & Sons logo and 15 jewels. Rotherhams began importing Swiss movements after the Second World War, making this movement later than the 1919 case. The watch displays a white dial with Roman numeral hour markers, blued steel hands, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.

Front view of Rotherham & Sons open-face silver pocket watch in a 1919 Dennison case
Front view of Rotherham & Sons open-face silver pocket watch in a 1919 Dennison case — The Vintage Wrist Watch Company / Antiques Atlas. 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
as170a11494
Source-reported date
1919
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

Case Construction and Hallmarking

The open-face pocket watch measures 50.4 mm in diameter, excluding the winding stem and loop. The silver case is described by the seller as bearing Birmingham hallmarks for 1919 and the maker's mark of the Dennison Watch Case Company.

Externally visible features include a polished bezel ring, a gold-toned fluted winding crown, and a silver pendant and bow. The dealer reports that the case exhibits light surface marking from use and mild bruising to the back, and that the internal movement is shielded by an inner hinged cover.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch measures 50.4mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
  • “The case is silver and has Birmingham hallmarks for 1919 with the case makers mark for the Birmingham watch case maker the Dennison watch case company.”
  • “Gold-toned fluted winding crown fitted into a silver pendant and bow.”
  • “The case has light surface marking from use and mild bruising to the back”
  • “The movement is protected by an inner hinged cover which has light surface marking.”

Dial and Hand Configuration

The watch is fitted with a white dial featuring black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock. Time is indicated by blued steel hands.

The dial is protected by a glass lens, which the seller describes as being in nice condition. In the visible front view, no maker name or brand signature is observed on the dial face.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with black Roman numeral hour markers and an outer minute track.”
  • “Blued steel hands, including a subsidiary seconds hand at 6 o'clock.”
  • “The dial is in nice condition with blued steel hands, a subsidiary seconds dial and an outer minute track.”
  • “The glass lens is in nice condition.”

Reported Movement and Chronology

The seller describes the movement as a Swiss-made stem-winding mechanism with 15 jewels, signed with the Rotherham & Sons logo. The movement is not visible in the provided primary front photograph.

The listing notes an explicit chronological difference between the components, stating that 'The movement is later to the case although correct.' The seller elaborates that Rotherham & Sons began importing movements from Switzerland after the Second World War, placing the movement considerably later than the 1919 hallmark date of the Dennison silver case.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch has a Swiss stem-winding movement which is working nicely.”
  • “The movement is signed with the Rotherham & Sons logo, 15 jewels, Swiss made.”
  • “The movement is later to the case although correct.”
  • “After the second World War, Rotherhams started importing movements from Switzerland.”

Open research questions

  • What specific Swiss ebauche or movement caliber was imported and signed by Rotherham & Sons in this watch?
  • What specific Dennison case reference or serial numbers are stamped inside the case back and cuvette?
  • Does the Dennison case show any signs of adaptation or re-casing to accommodate the post-WWII Swiss movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rotherham & Sons Silver Pocket Watch, 1919 Dennison Case
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case HallmarksSilver with Birmingham hallmarks for 1919“The case is silver and has Birmingham hallmarks for 1919”
Case MakerDennison Watch Case Company“case makers mark for the Birmingham watch case maker the Dennison watch case company.”
MovementSwiss stem-winding movement, 15 jewels, signed Rotherham & Sons logo“The movement is signed with the Rotherham & Sons logo, 15 jewels, Swiss made.”
Movement Date Relative to CaseLater than the case“The movement is later to the case although correct.”
Dimensions50.4 mm diameter excluding stem and loop“The watch measures 50.4mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
Inner Hinged CoverPresent over the movement, exhibiting light surface marking“The movement is protected by an inner hinged cover which has light surface marking.”
Lens MaterialGlass“The glass lens is in nice condition.”
PackagingSupplied in a new presentation box“The watch comes in a new presentation box.”

Visible details

  • White dial with black Roman numeral hour markers and an outer minute track.
  • Blued steel hands, including a subsidiary seconds hand at 6 o'clock.
  • Gold-toned fluted winding crown fitted into a silver pendant and bow.
  • Silver open-face case with polished bezel ring.

Research qualifications

  • The seller states the Swiss movement is later than the 1919 case.
  • The movement and inner hallmarked case back are described by the dealer but not pictured in the primary view.

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

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - A 1919 Rotherham & Sons Silver Pocket Watch. as170a11494

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 86988995b9

Terms in this record

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

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