Pocket watch · Chinese market duplex pocket watch

Silver Chinese Market Duplex pocket watch

Partially verified

This antique pocket watch is reported by the seller as a Swiss-made timepiece manufactured around 1850 for the Chinese market. It features a gilt bridge movement equipped with a crab tooth duplex escapement, a freestanding mainspring barrel, and a bevelled gilt balance wheel. The movement bridges and plate display carved and polished foliate scrollwork over a brushed gilt ground, complemented by blued screws and jewel settings. It is housed in an unhallmarked silver case measuring 47 mm in diameter by 17 mm in depth, characterized by coin-edged sides, a hinged cuvette inscribed 'Duplex', and key winding and setting.

Movement view of the Chinese market duplex pocket watch showing engraved gilt bridges and balance cock — Atlam Watches via Antiques Boutique. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.antiquesboutique.com
Category: Pocket watch · Chinese market duplex pocket watch
Maker / attribution: Not established
Reference: 4.107 (AB-65002)
Catalogue / lot identifier: itm65002
Source-reported date: c. 1850
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

Movement Architecture and Finishing

In the available movement view, the mechanism is arranged as a gilt bridge caliber displaying carved and engraved foliate scrollwork across the bridges and bottom plate over a brushed gilt ground. Heat-blued movement screws and jeweled pivot settings are visible, and the balance cock is fitted with an index regulator and polished steel pointer governing a gilt balance wheel.

According to the seller's description, the movement features a crab tooth duplex escapement, a bevelled gilt balance wheel, and a freestanding mainspring barrel. Visible beneath the barrel bridge is the squared winding arbor used for key winding.

Evidence for this section

“Carved and engraved foliate scrollwork across the gilt bridges and bottom plate”
“Heat-blued movement screws alongside jeweled settings”
“Balance cock fitted with an index regulator and polished steel pointer”
“gilt bridge movement has a crab tooth duplex escapement and a bevelled gilt balance wheel. The movement has a freestanding mainspring barrel”
“the whole movement is decorated with carved polished decoration against a brush gilt background”

Case Construction and Exterior Elements

The movement is fitted into a silver case measuring 47 mm in width by 17 mm in depth, characterized by coin-edged sides, an attached pendant, and a bow. The seller notes that the housing includes a hinged back, a hinged bezel, and a domed mineral glass crystal.

The interior contains a hinged inner cuvette signed 'Duplex'. The exterior case back is reported by the seller to be decorated with an engraved church and lakeside scene, though this exterior decoration is not depicted in the provided movement image.

Evidence for this section

“Coin-edged rim on the silver case with attached pendant and bow”
“The watch measures 47mm wide x 17mm deep”
“The case has a hinged inner cover signed “Duplex” and has a hinged back and bezel. The case has coin edged sides and is decorated on the back with a church and lakeside scene.”
“The watch has a domed mineral glass”

Reported Dial Configuration and Seller Attributions

The dial is described in the listing as white enamel fitted with a pair of gilt filigree hands and a blued steel center seconds hand, with the seller noting four faint hairlines in the center. Operation is via key winding and key setting, accompanied by a key.

Attribution to Swiss origin around 1850 for the Chinese market is reported by the seller. The seller also notes that the silver case lacks hallmarks, and the source description mentions no maker signatures or serial numbers.

Evidence for this section

“Dial – the white enamel dial has a pair of gilt filigree hands and a blue steel centre seconds hand. The dial is in 80% mint condition – 4 faint hairlines in the centre”
“The watch is key wound / key set and comes with a key”
“This is a Swiss pocket watch made for the Chinese market.”
“Case – the movement comes in a silver case, which has no hallmarks.”

Open research questions

Are there any maker's marks, purity stamps, or workshop numbers stamped on the inside of the silver case or cuvette?
What chapter ring format and numerals (Roman, Arabic, or Chinese characters) are present on the white enamel dial?
Can the specific caliber layout and floral engraving pattern be attributed to a documented Fleurier workshop producing duplex watches for the Chinese export trade?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Silver Chinese Market Duplex pocket watch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Escapement	Crab tooth duplex escapement	“gilt bridge movement has a crab tooth duplex escapement”
Origin and Market	Swiss, made for Chinese market	“This is a Swiss pocket watch made for the Chinese market.”
Movement Features	Freestanding mainspring barrel and bevelled gilt balance wheel	“bevelled gilt balance wheel. The movement has a freestanding mainspring barrel”
Dimensions	47 mm wide by 17 mm deep	“The watch measures 47mm wide x 17mm deep”
Winding Mechanism	Key wound and key set	“The watch is key wound / key set and comes with a key”
Inner Cover Marking	Signed 'Duplex'	“hinged inner cover signed “Duplex””
Escapement	Crab tooth duplex escapement (seller-reported)	“gilt bridge movement has a crab tooth duplex escapement”
Case Back Scene	Church and lakeside scene (seller-reported)	“decorated on the back with a church and lakeside scene”

Visible details

Carved and engraved foliate scrollwork across the gilt bridges and bottom plate
Heat-blued movement screws alongside jeweled settings
Balance cock fitted with an index regulator and polished steel pointer
Freestanding barrel bridge with an open winding square
Coin-edged rim on the silver case with attached pendant and bow

Research qualifications

The white enamel dial, hands, and the reported lakeside case back scene are not visible in this movement view
The case lacks assay hallmarks; silver metal content and Swiss provenance rely on the dealer's description

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

Consulted source

Silver Chinese Market Duplex pocket watch c1850 in Antique Silver Clocks

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 550f0259f9

Terms in this record

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