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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face chronograph pocket watch

Seikosha nickel plated keyless wind open face chronograph pocket watch

Partially verified

This Seikosha open face chronograph pocket watch is dated by the auction house to circa 1940 and was catalogued as Lot 101 by Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr. The timepiece is cased in nickel-plated metal with a pendant-operated keyless winding mechanism. It is fitted with a black dial bearing prominent white Arabic numeral hour markers, an inner 24-hour chapter ring printed in red, white central hands, and a subsidiary register positioned at 6 o'clock.

Front view of Seikosha open face chronograph pocket watch with black dial and red 24-hour track
Front view of Seikosha open face chronograph pocket watch with black dial and red 24-hour track — Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face chronograph pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Seikosha
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
101
Source-reported date
Circa 1940
Country
Not established

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

Identity and Catalogued Classification

Catalogued as Lot 101 by Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, this pocket timepiece is attributed to Seikosha and described in the listing title as an "open face chronograph pocket watch". The catalogue provides an accompanying French description noting it as a "Chronographe de poche à cadran ouvert en nickel plaqué remontoir au pendant".

The auction house dates the piece to "Circa 1940". No movement caliber, reference number, or case serial number is recorded in the source text.

Evidence for this section
  • “Lot 101”
  • “Seikosha. A nickel plated keyless wind open face chronograph pocket watch”
  • “Chronographe de poche à cadran ouvert en nickel plaqué remontoir au pendant”
  • “Circa 1940”

Case and Configuration

The pocket watch is catalogued with a "nickel plated" case and a "keyless wind" mechanism operated at the pendant.

Visual observation confirms the open-face format, with the winding crown, pendant, and bow situated at the 12 o'clock position. Internal case markings and the exterior case back are not depicted or described in the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “nickel plated”
  • “keyless wind”
  • “Pendant and winding crown with bow situated at the 12 o'clock position”

Dial Layout and Visible Condition

Observations of the dial show a black surface bearing white Arabic numeral hour markers alongside an outer track. Positioned inside the hour track is an inner 13-24 hour scale printed in red numerals.

A subsidiary dial is located at the 6 o'clock position. Visible fine scratches or hairline marks appear across the crystal or dial surface.

Evidence for this section
  • “Black dial displaying white Arabic numeral hour markers alongside an outer track”
  • “Inner 13-24 hour scale printed in red numerals”
  • “Subsidiary dial positioned at 6 o'clock”
  • “Visible fine scratches or hairline marks across the crystal or dial surface”

Open research questions

  • What specific movement caliber is fitted within the case, and does it carry Seikosha factory markings or jewel specifications?
  • Does the case back feature military, government, or civilian issue engravings?
  • Are the hairline markings located on the protective crystal or on the underlying dial surface?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Seikosha nickel plated keyless wind open face chronograph pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerSeikosha“Seikosha”
Case MaterialNickel plated“nickel plated”
Winding MechanismKeyless wind“keyless wind”
FormatOpen face chronograph pocket watch“open face chronograph pocket watch”
DateCirca 1940“Circa 1940”
Lot Number101“Lot 101”
French Title DescriptionChronographe de poche à cadran ouvert en nickel plaqué remontoir au pendant“Chronographe de poche à cadran ouvert en nickel plaqué remontoir au pendant”
Auction Lot NumberLot 101“Lot 101”

Visible details

  • Black dial displaying white Arabic numeral hour markers alongside an outer track
  • Inner 13-24 hour scale printed in red numerals
  • Subsidiary dial positioned at 6 o'clock
  • Pendant and winding crown with bow situated at the 12 o'clock position
  • Visible fine scratches or hairline marks across the crystal or dial surface

Research qualifications

  • Movement caliber and internal case markings are neither illustrated nor described in the auction text
  • Case back is not depicted

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

Consulted source

Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr : Seikosha. A nickel plated keyless wind open face chronograph pocket watch Seikosha. Chronographe de poche à cadran ouvert en nickel plaqué remontoir au pendant Circa 1940

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 2cc61a04b5

Terms in this record

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

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