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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Cylinder pocket watch

Swiss cylinder escapement pocket watch with subsidiary seconds hand

Partially verified

According to the Science Museum Group, this Swiss cylinder escapement pocket watch dates from 1850 to 1899. The movement is fitted with eight jewels, and both the movement and case carry the mark 'GT'. The watch case is constructed from brass, silver, and silver-plated metal, featuring an engine-turned silver back insert. The interior of the case back is marked '800M' and numbered 254161. On the dial side, it features black Roman numerals, decorative hands, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at the 6 o'clock position.

Dial view of Swiss cylinder escapement pocket watch showing subsidiary seconds subdial
Dial view of Swiss cylinder escapement pocket watch showing subsidiary seconds subdial — The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Cylinder pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
2001-666
Source-reported date
1850-1899
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
254161

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

Direct visual inspection shows a white dial framed by a circular metal case displaying some edge wear. The dial is laid out with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track, with time shown via decorative blued steel hour and minute hands. Positioned above the 6 o'clock mark is a subsidiary seconds subdial.

At the top of the case, a pendant and suspension bow are visible without a winding crown. The case back and movement are not shown in the primary dial photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track”
  • “Subsidiary seconds dial positioned above 6 o'clock”
  • “Suspension bow and pendant at top without a winding crown”
  • “Decorative blued steel hour and minute hands”
  • “Circular metal case showing some edge wear”

Case Construction and Markings

According to the Science Museum Group catalogue entry, the watch case measures 14 x 45 mm and is made from brass, silver, and silver-plated metal. It is described as a plated case featuring an engine-turned silver back insert.

The interior of the case back is documented as being stamped '800M' and numbered 254161, with both the case and movement bearing the mark 'GT'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Materials: brass , silver plated metal and silver”
  • “Measurements: 14 x 45 mm”
  • “in plated case with engine-turned silver back insert, case also marked 800M and numbered 254161 inside back”
  • “movement and case marked GT”

Reported Movement and Technical Details

The museum record catalogues this timepiece as a Swiss cylinder escapement pocket watch dating to between 1850 and 1899, equipped with 8 jewels.

Because the movement is not visible in the available front photograph, its physical arrangement, finish, and mechanical operation cannot be evaluated directly from the image and remain strictly source-reported.

Evidence for this section
  • “Swiss cylinder escapement pocket watch with subsidiary seconds hand, 8 jewels, movement and case marked GT”
  • “Made: 1850-1899 in Switzerland”

Open research questions

  • Which Swiss maker or factory used the 'GT' mark stamped on the movement and case?
  • Does the '800M' mark denote 0.800 continental silver fineness?
  • Is the movement wound and set via a key through the inner cuvette or dial?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Swiss cylinder escapement pocket watch with subsidiary seconds hand
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
EscapementCylinder escapement“Swiss cylinder escapement pocket watch with subsidiary seconds hand”
Jewel Count8 jewels“8 jewels”
Maker MarkGT“movement and case marked GT”
Case Mark800M“case also marked 800M”
Serial Number254161“numbered 254161 inside back”
Object Number2001-666“Object Number: 2001-666”
Dimensions14 x 45 mm“Measurements: 14 x 45 mm”
MaterialsBrass, silver plated metal and silver“Materials: brass , silver plated metal and silver”
CreditPierson, John“credit: Pierson, John”
Object TypePocket watch and cylinder watch“type: pocket watch and cylinder watch”

Visible details

  • White dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned above 6 o'clock
  • Suspension bow and pendant at top without a winding crown
  • Decorative blued steel hour and minute hands
  • Circular metal case showing some edge wear

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement, cylinder escapement, and case-back marks are source-reported and not visible in the front photograph

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

Consulted source

Swiss cylinder escapement pocket watch with subsidiary seconds hand | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 3bc354830d

Terms in this record

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

Other cylinder pocket watch records