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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Deck watch

Victor Kullberg silver open-face deck watch No. 9017

Partially verified

This silver open-face deck watch numbered 9017 is by Victor Kullberg, dating to circa 1915. The silver case is hallmarked for London 1915–16 with sponsor's mark T.R.A. for Thomas Richard Arnott of Coventry and case number 52797. The white enamel dial features black Roman numerals, Arabic fifths-of-seconds markings, blued steel spade and poker hands, and a centre seconds pointer with a counterpoised tail. It is signed beneath XII with 'KULLBERG / LONDON / 9017 / ↑'. The gilt-brass half-plate keyless going barrel movement has four turned pillars and a ratchet tooth lever escapement with a free-sprung compensation balance.

Victor Kullberg silver open-face deck watch No. 9017, circa 1915.
Victor Kullberg silver open-face deck watch No. 9017, circa 1915. — National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.rmg.co.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Deck watch
Maker / attribution
Victor Kullberg
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
ZAA0165
Source-reported date
circa 1915
Country
Not established
Source-reported serial
9017

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

Construction and Case Identity

The silver open-face case is hallmarked for London 1915–16. It is stamped with the sponsor's mark ‘T.R.A.’ for Thomas Richard Arnott of Coventry and is numbered ‘52797’.

The watch features a gilt winding crown and a brass hand-setting push-piece located at the one o’clock position. A two-tier mahogany deck box, described as 'much altered', is associated with the object, featuring a brass insert that holds the watch under a screwed brass bezel.

Evidence for this section
  • “The silver open-face case is hallmarked for London 1915-16 and is stamped with the sponsors mark ‘T.R.A.’ (Thomas Richard Arnott of Coventry) and is numbered ‘52797’.”
  • “The watch has a gilt winding crown and brass push-piece for hand setting at one o’clock.”
  • “Two-tier mahogany deck box (much altered) with a brass insert holding the watch under a screwed brass bezel.”

Dial and Timekeeping Configuration

The two-piece white enamel dial features black Roman numerals and an Arabic numeral track for fifths-of-seconds. It is signed below the XII position with the text: ‘KULLBERG / LONDON / 9017 / ↑’.

The watch is fitted with polished blued steel spade and poker hands, accompanied by a fine-pointer blued steel second hand with a counterpoised tail.

Evidence for this section
  • “The two-piece, centre seconds white enamel, has black roman numerals, Arabic fifths of seconds figures, and is signed below XII: ‘KULLBERG / LONDON / 9017 / ↑’.”
  • “It has polished blued steel spade and poker hands with a fine pointer blued steel second hand with a counter poised tail.”

Mechanism and Technical Specifications

The movement is a gilt-brass half-plate keyless going barrel type, featuring four turned pillars secured by polished and blued steel screws. The top of the half-plate is engraved with the maker's details and the serial number 9017.

The escapement is a ratchet-tooth lever type with a free-sprung compensation balance and a blued steel spiral balance spring with overcoil. The movement is jewelled to the centre wheel.

Evidence for this section
  • “It also has a gilt-brass half-plate keyless going barrel movement with four turned pillars fixed with polished and blued steel screws.”
  • “The top of the half plate is engraved: ‘Victor Kullberg, 105 Liverpool Road London / ↑ / No.9017’.”
  • “The watch has a ratchet tooth lever escapement with free-sprung compensation balance and blued steel spiral balance spring, with over coil.”
  • “Jewelled to the centre wheel.”

Procurement and Service History

The watch was supplied to Kullberg’s by J.G. Morrall of Coventry in July 1915, with finishing work completed by December 1915. It was ordered by the Admiralty in December 1915 and delivered in January 1916 for £21.

The watch remained in Navy service until 1965 and was held in Ministry of Defence workshops until 1972, at which point it was sent on loan to the National Maritime Museum.

Evidence for this section
  • “The complete watch is cased and with movement almost finished, was first supplied to Kullberg’s by J.G.Morrall of Coventry in July 1915.”
  • “Finishing work took place quickly over the next few months until December 1915 when the Admiralty ordered the watch. It was delivered in January 1916, costing £21.”
  • “The watch was in Navy service through until 1965 and remained in the MoD workshops until 1972 when it was sent on loan to the NMM.”

Open research questions

  • What is the nature of the relationship between the case number '52797' and the watch serial number '9017'?
  • What specific modifications define the deck box as 'much altered'?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Victor Kullberg silver open-face deck watch No. 9017
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Hallmarks and MakerLondon 1915-16, sponsor mark T.R.A. (Thomas Richard Arnott)“The silver open-face case is hallmarked for London 1915-16 and is stamped with the sponsors mark ‘T.R.A.’ (Thomas Richard Arnott of Coventry) and is numbered ‘52797’.”
Dial InscriptionSigned KULLBERG / LONDON / 9017 / ↑ below XII“signed below XII: ‘KULLBERG / LONDON / 9017 / ↑’.”
Movement InscriptionEngraved Victor Kullberg, 105 Liverpool Road London / ↑ / No.9017“The top of the half plate is engraved: ‘Victor Kullberg, 105 Liverpool Road London / ↑ / No.9017’.”
EscapementRatchet tooth lever escapement with free-sprung compensation balance“The watch has a ratchet tooth lever escapement with free-sprung compensation balance and blued steel spiral balance spring, with over coil.”
Measurements82 x 58 x 20 mm“Overall: 82 x 58 x 20 mm”
Overall Dimensions82 x 58 x 20 mm“Overall: 82 x 58 x 20 mm”

Visible details

  • Fluted gilt winding crown fitted within a round silver pendant bow at the 12 o'clock position.
  • Brass pin or hand-setting push-piece projecting from the case shoulder near the 1 o'clock marker.
  • White enamel dial displaying black Roman hour numerals, blued steel hands, and a broad arrow insignia below '9017'.

Research qualifications

  • The altered two-tier mahogany deck box described in the source is not shown in the photograph.

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

Consulted source

9017 | Royal Museums Greenwich

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 524140830d

Terms in this record

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

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