Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Swiss Lever Watch with Tourbillon Movement

Partially verified

This Swiss pocket watch is catalogued by the Science Museum Group under object number 1938-318, with an estimated production date between 1850 and 1910. The museum describes the piece as a Swiss lever watch with a tourbillon movement, though its maker is listed as unknown. Its materials comprise enamel, brass, steel, and unidentified metal, with overall dimensions of 23 mm by 53 mm by 74 mm and a weight of 0.1 kg. The white enamel dial features an eccentric upper time subdial and a long central hand over an outer track, bearing the inscription 'Fureur / TOURBILLON / SWISS MADE'.

Front view of the open-face pocket watch showing the white dial and off-centre time subdial
Front view of the open-face pocket watch showing the white dial and off-centre time subdial — Science Museum Group. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1938-318
Source-reported date
1850-1910
Source-reported place
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

Identity and Institutional Attribution

Catalogued under object number 1938-318 by the Science Museum Group, this Swiss open-face pocket watch is recorded with an estimated production date spanning 1850 to 1910. The museum credits the piece to Mr. Cyril G. B. Judd and categorises it under time measurement as a pocket watch.

Although the museum lists the maker as unknown, the dial carries specific branding inscriptions. The institution designates the overall piece as a "Swiss lever watch with tourbillon movement, 1850-1910", establishing Swiss origin while leaving the specific manufacturing workshop unrecorded in the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Object Number: 1938-318”
  • “Swiss lever watch with tourbillon movement, 1850-1910”
  • “maker: Unknown”

Dial Configuration and Visual Characteristics

The watch features a white enamel dial laid out with an eccentric subsidiary dial occupying the upper portion, marked with Arabic numerals 1 through 12 and fitted with blued steel hands.

A long central hand traverses an outer chapter track calibrated to 60 units with numerals at five-unit intervals. The lower portion of the dial is inscribed in black lettering with 'Fureur / TOURBILLON / SWISS MADE'.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial with an upper eccentric subdial marked with Arabic numerals 1 through 12 and blued steel hands.”
  • “Central hand traversing an outer chapter track calibrated to 60 units with numerals at five-unit intervals.”
  • “Lower portion of the dial inscribed in black lettering: 'Fureur / TOURBILLON / SWISS MADE'.”

Case Construction and Movement Limitations

The timepiece measures overall 23 mm by 53 mm by 74 mm, with a recorded weight of 0.1 kg. The museum documents its materials as enamel, brass (copper, zinc alloy), steel (metal), and metal (unknown). Visually, it presents an open-face dark metal case fitted with a ribbed brass-toned winding crown and suspension bow at the pendant.

While institutional cataloguing titles the object as a "Swiss lever watch with tourbillon movement, 1850-1910", the internal escapement mechanism is not visible in the available front dial view. Observations regarding the movement mechanism are therefore limited to the museum's documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “Measurements: overall: 23 mm x 53 mm x 74 mm, .1 kg”
  • “Materials: enamel , brass (copper, zinc alloy) , steel (metal) and metal (unknown)”
  • “Open-face dark metal case fitted with a ribbed brass-toned winding crown and suspension bow at the pendant.”

Open research questions

  • What specific workshop, patentee, or retailer was associated with the brand name 'Fureur' in late 19th- or early 20th-century Swiss watchmaking?
  • Does internal inspection of the movement confirm a tourbillon or karrusel construction, and are any calibre or patent markings present on the plates?
  • What specific metallic composition corresponds to the 'metal (unknown)' recorded in the museum's materials register?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Swiss Lever Watch with Tourbillon Movement
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Object Number1938-318“Object Number: 1938-318”
Date1850-1910“Made: 1850-1910”
OriginSwitzerland“in Switzerland”
MakerUnknown“maker: Unknown”
MaterialsEnamel, brass, steel, and metal“Materials: enamel , brass (copper, zinc alloy) , steel (metal) and metal (unknown)”
Measurements23 mm x 53 mm x 74 mm, .1 kg“Measurements: overall: 23 mm x 53 mm x 74 mm, .1 kg”
CreditMr. Cyril G. B. Judd“credit: Mr. Cyril G. B. Judd”
Museum CategoryTime Measurement“Category: Time Measurement”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with an upper eccentric subdial marked with Arabic numerals 1 through 12 and blued steel hands.
  • Central hand traversing an outer chapter track calibrated to 60 units with numerals at five-unit intervals.
  • Lower portion of the dial inscribed in black lettering: 'Fureur / TOURBILLON / SWISS MADE'.
  • Open-face dark metal case fitted with a ribbed brass-toned winding crown and suspension bow at the pendant.

Research qualifications

  • The internal tourbillon escapement mechanism is not visible in the front dial photograph.
  • The maker is catalogued as unknown by the museum despite the brand inscription 'Fureur' on the dial.

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

Consulted source

Pocket Watch with Tourbillon Mechanism, 1850-1910 | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 40c51d0e2b

Terms in this record

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

Other open-face pocket watch records