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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Unsigned Swiss Openface Pocket Watch

Partially verified

According to the seller, this vintage Swiss openface pocket watch dates to approximately the 1940s to 1950s. The unsigned white analog dial features black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer minute scale with five-minute Arabic indices, ornate Louis XV-style hands, and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock. The timepiece operates via an unsigned manual-winding mechanical movement paired with a pin-set hand-setting mechanism. It is cased in a round silver-tone metal case measuring 46.8 mm in diameter, featuring a hinged case back stamped 'METAL'.

Dial and front view of the unsigned Swiss openface pocket watch
Dial and front view of the unsigned Swiss openface pocket watch — Second Hand Horology. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-0961
Source-reported date
ca. 1940s–1950s
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

Dial and Hands

The watch features a white analog dial with painted black Roman numeral hour indices, an outer minute scale with five-minute Arabic markers, and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock.

Time is marked by an ornate gilded or brass-tone Louis XV-style hour hand and a slender minute hand. In the provided front view, the dial surface exhibits no maker signatures or branding.

Evidence for this section
  • “White analog dial with painted black Roman hour numerals and outer five-minute Arabic markers.”
  • “Small subsidiary seconds dial located at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Ornate gilded or brass-tone Louis XV-style hour hand and slender minute hand.”

Case Form and Configuration

The round case has a listed size of 46.8 mm, a diameter with crown of 58.7 mm, and a thickness of 14.6 mm. It is fitted with an acrylic crystal, a fixed bezel, an oval silver-tone bow, and a fluted gilt winding crown.

Hand setting is controlled by a pin-set push piece located on the bezel rim near the 1 o'clock position relative to the stem. The seller notes a hinged case back bearing the internal stamping "METAL", while also listing the case composition as "Metal (and 0.800 Silver)".

Evidence for this section
  • “Case Size: 46.8”
  • “Case Diameter w/Crown: 58.7”
  • “Case Thickness: 14.6”
  • “Crystal: Acrylic”
  • “Pin-set button situated on the bezel rim near the 1 o'clock position relative to the dial stem.”
  • “Fluted gilt winding crown fitted within an oval silver-tone bow.”
  • “Case back stamped “METAL””
  • “Metal (and 0.800 Silver)”

Movement and Source Inconsistencies

The timepiece is described as operating via an unsigned manual-winding mechanical movement of reported Swiss manufacture, estimated by the seller to date to circa the 1940s–1950s. Specific movement caliber identification, jewel count, and internal hallmarks are not detailed in the source documentation.

A notable discrepancy exists within the source description: while the specifications list "Closure: Open face" and the front photograph shows an open-face watch, the seller's narrative overview also refers to the watch as "housed in a 46.8mm silver-tone hunter case with beautiful floral engraving on the outer lid".

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch operates via a manual-wind mechanical movement. The movement is unsigned but consistent with mid-20th century Swiss designs.”
  • “Year / Era: ca. 1940s–1950s - Vintage”
  • “Country of Manufacture: Switzerland”
  • “Closure: Open face”
  • “housed in a 46.8mm silver-tone hunter case with beautiful floral engraving on the outer lid”

Open research questions

  • What specific movement caliber or ebauche powers the watch, and are there any manufacturer marks beneath the balance wheel or dial?
  • Why does the seller list both 'Metal' and '0.800 Silver' alongside a case back stamped 'METAL', and are there official Swiss silver hallmarks present?
  • Did the seller erroneously merge text from another listing regarding the claim of a 'hunter case with beautiful floral engraving on the outer lid'?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Unsigned Swiss Openface Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Size46.8 mm“Case Size: 46.8”
Closure ConfigurationOpen face“Closure: Open face”
Setting MechanismPin-set“pin-set mechanism”
Case Back MarkingMETAL“Case back stamped “METAL””
Country of ManufactureSwitzerland“Country of Manufacture: Switzerland”
Case Diameter with Crown58.7 mm“Case Diameter w/Crown: 58.7”
Case Thickness14.6 mm“Case Thickness: 14.6”
Crystal MaterialAcrylic“Crystal: Acrylic”
Bezel TypeFixed“Bezel: Fixed”

Visible details

  • White analog dial with painted black Roman hour numerals and outer five-minute Arabic markers.
  • Small subsidiary seconds dial located at 6 o'clock.
  • Ornate gilded or brass-tone Louis XV-style hour hand and slender minute hand.
  • Pin-set button situated on the bezel rim near the 1 o'clock position relative to the dial stem.
  • Fluted gilt winding crown fitted within an oval silver-tone bow.

Research qualifications

  • The source description contains contradictory case style text, mentioning a 'silver-tone hunter case with beautiful floral engraving on the outer lid' in the overview while the specifications table and the image show an openface configuration with 'Closure: Open face'.
  • Movement caliber and interior case hallmarks are not visible in the provided image; maker attribution remains unsigned.

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

Consulted source

Vintage Swiss Pocket Watch Openface White Dial Roman Numerals Engraved – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8ff64fbc15

Terms in this record

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

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