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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Wandering hours pocket watch

Unsigned Wandering Hours Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This unsigned silver manual-wind pocket watch, documented by Antiquorum as originating in Switzerland circa 1820, features a wandering hours time display. Measuring 59 mm in diameter, the piece displays an upper white enamel minute sector graduated from 0 to 60. Beneath the sector scale, a rotating framework carries revolving hour numerals that indicate the passing minutes as they transit across the arc. The catalog reports a 51 mm gilt brass movement incorporating four jewels, an unusual bridge calibre, a large free-standing barrel, a cylinder escapement, and a jewelled balance with a flat balance spring.

Dial view of the unsigned wandering hours silver pocket watch showing the enamel minute sector and hour satellites
Dial view of the unsigned wandering hours silver pocket watch showing the enamel minute sector and hour satellites — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Wandering hours pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
179
Source-reported date
Circa 1820
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 Configuration and Display

The timepiece employs a wandering hours layout configured with an arched white enamel sector graduated with Arabic numerals and minute markers from 0 to 60. The open front displays a central gilt brass wheel carrying rotating satellites with skeletonized Arabic hour numerals that indicate passing minutes across the arc.

The supporting dial plate is rendered in gilt brass and secured by visible blued and polished screws beneath the enamel sector.

Evidence for this section
  • “Arched white enamel sector dial graduated with Arabic numerals and markers from 0 to 60 minutes”
  • “Open front displaying a central gilt brass wheel and rotating satellites with skeletonized Arabic hour numerals”
  • “Gilt brass dial plate secured by visible blued and polished screws”

Case Construction

The watch is housed in a large silver case measuring 59 mm in diameter. Visible physical features include a top pendant and a round suspension bow located at 12 o'clock.

The catalog assesses the case grade as "2-8 Very good Slightly scratched." Specific internal hallmarks or casemaker stamps are not recorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “A very fine and rare, large, silver, manual wind "wandering hour" pocket watch.”
  • “Diameter 59 mm.”
  • “Silver case with top pendant and round suspension bow at 12 o'clock”
  • “Case: 2-8 Very good Slightly scratched”

Movement Specifications and Catalog Attribution

The auction catalog attributes the unsigned manual-wind watch to Switzerland with a dating of circa 1820. The movement is documented as a 51 mm gilt brass bridge calibre incorporating 4 jewels, an unusual bridge design, a large free-standing barrel, a cylinder escapement, a jewelled balance, and a flat balance spring.

Because internal images of the movement bridges and train are not shown in the primary photograph, these mechanical details rely strictly on the auctioneer's catalog listing. The movement is graded in the catalog as "3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense."

Evidence for this section
  • “Year Circa 1820”
  • “Brand Unsigned, Switzerland”
  • “51 mm., 4 jewels, gilt brass, unusual bridge calibre, large free-standing barrel, cylinder escapement, flat balance spring, balance jewelled.”
  • “Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Open research questions

  • Are any casemaker initials, serial numbers, or Swiss/French silver hallmarks recorded inside the caseback or cuvette?
  • What specific gearing or star-wheel mechanism is used beneath the dial plate to index the skeletonized hour satellites?
  • Does the unsigned 51 mm bridge calibre correspond to documented cylinder wandering hours movements produced in Geneva or the Jura region around 1820?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Unsigned Wandering Hours Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case MaterialSilver“A very fine and rare, large, silver, manual wind "wandering hour" pocket watch.”
Case Diameter59 mm“Diameter 59 mm.”
Caliber Description51 mm., 4 jewels, gilt brass, unusual bridge calibre, large free-standing barrel, cylinder escapement, flat balance spring, balance jewelled“51 mm., 4 jewels, gilt brass, unusual bridge calibre, large free-standing barrel, cylinder escapement, flat balance spring, balance jewelled.”
DateCirca 1820“Year Circa 1820”
Overall Catalog GradeAAA Excellent“Grade: AAA Excellent”
Dial Condition Grade3-8-01 Good Slightly scratched“Dial: 3-8-01 Good Slightly scratched”
Hands Catalog NoteOriginal“HANDS Original”
Auction Sale PriceCHF 13,750“Sold: CHF 13,750”

Visible details

  • Arched white enamel sector dial graduated with Arabic numerals and markers from 0 to 60 minutes
  • Open front displaying a central gilt brass wheel and rotating satellites with skeletonized Arabic hour numerals
  • Silver case with top pendant and round suspension bow at 12 o'clock
  • Gilt brass dial plate secured by visible blued and polished screws

Research qualifications

  • Attributed to Switzerland and dated circa 1820 by the auction house; movement is unsigned
  • Movement bridges and inner case marks are not visible in the provided photograph

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

Consulted source

UNSIGNED, SWITZERLAND, WANDERING HOURS, LARGE POCKET WATCH WITH ENAMEL DIAL, SILVER | | Geneva, November 8th-9th, 2025

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 4e851ce3b1

Terms in this record

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