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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Key-wind openface pocket watch

Swiss Key-Wind Openface Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This antique open-face pocket watch is attributed by the seller as a Swiss mechanical timepiece dating to the late 19th to early 20th century. The watch features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, an outer minute track, gilt triangular markers, and ornate vintage-style hands. Key-wind and key-set, it is housed in a 46.5 mm silver-tone engraved double-hinged case measuring 15 mm in thickness and 58 mm across including the pendant and bow. Accompanied by a dual-tone winding key, it is cataloged under SKU WA-6018.

Front view of the pocket watch resting on a wooden display stand beside its winding key
Front view of the pocket watch resting on a wooden display stand beside its winding key — SECOND HAND HOROLOGY. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Pocket watch · Key-wind openface pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
WA-6018
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Late 1800s–Early 1900s
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 a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track. Distinct gilt triangular hour markers are placed between the hour positions, complemented by ornate, pierced vintage-style hands.

Positioned at 12 o'clock are a bow and pendant without a winding crown, consistent with its key-operated design. The watch is accompanied by an unattached dual-tone winding key.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial displaying black Roman numerals and gilt triangular markers between numerals.”
  • “Ornate openwork pierced hands and an engraved patterned case band.”
  • “Prominent bow and pendant at 12 o'clock without a winding crown.”
  • “Accompanied by a separate dual-tone winding key.”

Case Construction and Measurements

The timepiece is housed in a silver-tone case with an engraved patterned band. Reported dimensions include a case size of 46.5 mm, a thickness of 15 mm, and an overall diameter of 58 mm across the pendant and bow, which the listing labels as 'Case Diameter w/Crown'.

The dealer's listing presents conflicting descriptions of the case style, designating the closure as 'Open face with protective front cover' while also calling it a 'double hinged hunter-style case (double cuvette)' with an acrylic crystal. Only an open face is visible in the provided primary image.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case Size: 46.5”
  • “Case Thickness: 15”
  • “Case Diameter w/Crown: 58”
  • “double hinged hunter-style case (double cuvette)”
  • “Closure: Open face with protective front cover”
  • “Crystal: Acrylic”

Reported Movement and Origin Discrepancies

The listing documentation contains conflicting provenance details. The titles and general description describe an antique Swiss key-wind and key-set mechanical timepiece dating to the late 1800s to early 1900s, stating 'Country of Manufacture: Switzerland'. However, the specifications table explicitly states 'Brand: Waltham'.

The seller reports that the movement was serviced in December 2025. Because internal images of the movement and cuvette are not provided in the source record, caliber identification, maker hallmarks, and internal serial numbers remain unrecorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Brand: Waltham”
  • “Country of Manufacture: Switzerland”
  • “Key wind / key set”
  • “SERVICED ON 12/2025”
  • “Late 1800s–Early 1900s – Antique”

Open research questions

  • Does inspection of the inner movement plate reveal Swiss hallmarks or American Waltham manufacture markings?
  • What metal stamps or purity hallmarks are present inside the double cuvette case?
  • Does the case retain a front cover consistent with the hunter-style description, or is it strictly an open-face construction?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Swiss Key-Wind Openface Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Size46.5 mm“Case Size: 46.5”
Case Diameter with Crown58 mm“Case Diameter w/Crown: 58”
Case Thickness15 mm“Case Thickness: 15”
Movement MechanismKey wind / key set“Key wind / key set”
Country of ManufactureSwitzerland“Country of Manufacture: Switzerland”
SKUWA-6018“SKU: WA-6018”
Listing SKUWA-6018“SKU: WA-6018”
Original Box and PapersNo“Box & Papers: NO”
Stated Crystal MaterialAcrylic“Crystal: Acrylic”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial displaying black Roman numerals and gilt triangular markers between numerals.
  • Ornate openwork pierced hands and an engraved patterned case band.
  • Prominent bow and pendant at 12 o'clock without a winding crown.
  • Accompanied by a separate dual-tone winding key.

Research qualifications

  • Listing table contains contradictory brand attribution, listing 'Brand: Waltham' alongside 'Country of Manufacture: Switzerland'.
  • Movement caliber and internal case markings are not depicted in the listing image.

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

Consulted source

Antique Swiss Key Wind Pocket Watch Double Cuvette Late 1800s – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record abcd429f4e

Terms in this record

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