Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Pocket watch movement

Trenton Watch Company pocket watch movement, serial 41585

Partially verified

This early pocket watch movement was manufactured by the Trenton Watch Company, with the source dating it to circa 1888. The full-plate mechanism is visibly stamped with 'TRENTON WATCH CO.', 'PATENTED', and the serial number 41585. A curved balance cock secures the balance assembly, which features visible balance screws and a regulator index scale marked from slow to fast. The brass plate surface shows significant oxidation, patination, and unthreaded or empty screw holes without a case.

Top plate of the Trenton Watch Company pocket watch movement, serial 41585
Top plate of the Trenton Watch Company pocket watch movement, serial 41585 — Nathan Moore. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
blog.pocketwatchdatabase.com
Category
Movement · Pocket watch movement
Maker / attribution
Trenton Watch Company
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
c. 1888
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
41585

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 Markings

The object is an uncased full-plate pocket watch movement produced by the Trenton Watch Company. The visible movement plate is stamped 'TRENTON WATCH CO.', 'PATENTED', and serial '41585'.

The source text introduces the photograph as "An example of an earlier movement manufactured by the Trenton Watch Company, c.1888 #41858", indicating a circa 1888 production date while containing a typographical transposition in the serial number compared to the visibly stamped plate.

Evidence for this section
  • “Full-plate movement plate stamped 'TRENTON WATCH CO.', 'PATENTED', and serial '41585'”
  • “An example of an earlier movement manufactured by the Trenton Watch Company, c.1888 #41858”

Visible Movement Construction

The movement features a curved balance cock secured by a screw, displaying an index pointer over an engraved regulator scale.

A balance wheel with timing screws is visible, along with escapement wheel teeth underneath. The aged, unpolished brass or gilt surface exhibits patination and surface wear, and the movement is photographed mounted on a clear display stand without dial, hands, or casing.

Evidence for this section
  • “Curved balance cock secured by a screw, displaying an index pointer over an engraved regulator scale”
  • “Visible balance wheel with timing screws and escapement wheel teeth underneath”
  • “Aged, unpolished brass or gilt surface exhibiting patination and surface wear”
  • “Photographed mounted on a clear display stand without dial, hands, or casing”

Historical Context and Documentation Limits

According to the source, "The Trenton Watch Company produced watches from c.1887-1908 before the company was absorbed by Robert H. Ingersoll & Bros."

The record provides only a photograph of the top movement plate. Casing, dial, hands, and unseen internal specifications such as jewel count or movement size are not recorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “The Trenton Watch Company produced watches from c.1887-1908 before the company was absorbed by Robert H. Ingersoll & Bros.”
  • “Photographed mounted on a clear display stand without dial, hands, or casing”

Open research questions

  • What movement size and factory model grade correspond to Trenton serial number 41585?
  • What jewel count and escapement design are positioned beneath the full plate?
  • What dial, hands, and case configuration were originally fitted to this movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Trenton Watch Company pocket watch movement, serial 41585
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerTrenton Watch Company“Trenton Watch Company”
Production Datec. 1888“c.1888”
Company Operational Erac. 1887–1908“The Trenton Watch Company produced watches from c.1887-1908”
Subsequent Corporate OwnershipRobert H. Ingersoll & Bros.“before the company was absorbed by Robert H. Ingersoll & Bros.”

Visible details

  • Full-plate movement plate stamped 'TRENTON WATCH CO.', 'PATENTED', and serial '41585'
  • Curved balance cock secured by a screw, displaying an index pointer over an engraved regulator scale
  • Visible balance wheel with timing screws and escapement wheel teeth underneath
  • Aged, unpolished brass or gilt surface exhibiting patination and surface wear
  • Photographed mounted on a clear display stand without dial, hands, or casing

Research qualifications

  • The source text caption mistakenly references the serial number as '#41858', whereas the movement plate is clearly stamped '41585'
  • Dial side, dial, hands, and case are not depicted

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

Consulted source

c.1890 Trenton Watch Company Trade Card - Pocket Watch Database Blog

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record f0e319ba9c

Terms in this record

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

Other pocket watch movement records