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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Vintage Westclox Pocket Ben Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This is a vintage Westclox Pocket Ben open-face pocket watch made in the United States. According to the seller, the timepiece is powered by a manual-winding mechanical movement featuring a central sweep-seconds mechanism. The circular silver-tone case measures 50 mm in diameter, 54.4 mm across including the crown, and 16.4 mm in thickness. The dial displays a silver-tone sunburst finish with black Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, and matching black hands. It is signed 'WESTCLOX POCKET BEN' below the 12 o'clock numeral and marked 'MADE IN U.S.A.' along the lower dial margin.

Front view of the Westclox Pocket Ben pocket watch on an acrylic display stand
Front view of the Westclox Pocket Ben pocket watch on an acrylic display stand — 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
Westclox
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-4247
Source-reported date
Not established
Country
United States

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 Display Configuration

The timepiece features an open-face analog dial configuration displaying a silver-tone sunburst finish. Time is indicated by black Arabic numerals framed by an outer black minute and seconds track, accompanied by matching black hands.

Visual observation of the dial identifies the printed manufacturer and model signature reading 'WESTCLOX POCKET BEN' positioned below the 12 marker, along with the marking 'MADE IN U.S.A.' printed at the bottom rim below the 6 marker. The center hand assembly carries an hour, minute, and central sweep-seconds hand. The seller markets this display as an 'original silver-tone sunburst dial with black Arabic Numerals'.

Evidence for this section
  • “original silver-tone sunburst dial with black Arabic Numerals”
  • “black minute/seconds track and matching hands”
  • “Printed dial signature reading 'WESTCLOX POCKET BEN' below the 12 marker”
  • “Marking 'MADE IN U.S.A.' printed at the bottom rim below the 6 marker”
  • “Central sweep-seconds hand mounted with hour and minute hands”

Case Form and Dimensions

The watch is encased in an open-face silver-tone circular housing with an arched top bow positioned above a fluted winding crown. The vendor lists the primary case diameter at 50 mm, expanding to 54.4 mm across including the winding crown.

The total case thickness is reported as 16.4 mm. The listing provides no details concerning specific metal composition, alloy hallmarks, or caseback closure construction.

Evidence for this section
  • “Open-face silver-tone case with an arched top bow over a fluted winding crown”
  • “Case 50”
  • “Case w/Crown 54.4”
  • “Case Thickness 16.4”

Reported Movement and Technical Limitations

According to the seller description, the watch is 'a manual-winding pocket watch powered with a mechanical movement featuring a sweep-second and made in U.S.A.', with movement origin further recorded as 'U.S.A.' The vendor also asserts that it 'Runs very well, keeps great time', though no third-party timegrapher data or mechanical servicing records are presented.

The internal mechanism is neither illustrated in the catalog photography nor described with caliber markings, jewel counts, or plate signatures. In addition, while the listing includes a generic corporate overview of the Westclox brand and its history in Peru, Illinois, no specific year or period of production is recorded for this individual watch.

Evidence for this section
  • “It is a manual-winding pocket watch powered with a mechanical movement featuring a sweep-second and made in U.S.A.”
  • “Movement: U.S.A.”
  • “Runs very well, keeps great time.”

Open research questions

  • What specific Westclox caliber powers the watch, and does the movement plate bear any factory date codes or patent marks?
  • What is the metal composition and caseback opening mechanism (e.g., snap-on or screw-off) of the silver-tone case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Vintage Westclox Pocket Ben Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
SKUWA-4247“SKU: WA-4247”
Case diameter50 mm“Case 50”
Case diameter with crown54.4 mm“Case w/Crown 54.4”
Case thickness16.4 mm“Case Thickness 16.4”
Movement originU.S.A.“Movement: U.S.A.”
Dial descriptionOriginal silver-tone sunburst dial with black Arabic Numerals“original silver-tone sunburst dial with black Arabic Numerals”

Visible details

  • Open-face silver-tone case with an arched top bow over a fluted winding crown
  • Silver-tone sunburst dial with black Arabic hour markers and an outer minute track
  • Central sweep-seconds hand mounted with hour and minute hands
  • Printed dial signature reading 'WESTCLOX POCKET BEN' below the 12 marker
  • Marking 'MADE IN U.S.A.' printed at the bottom rim below the 6 marker

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement caliber and plate markings are not depicted or specified
  • The specific production date is not reported by the source

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

Consulted source

Vintage WESTCLOX Pocket Ben Pocket Watch - Silver-Tone Round Case U.S. – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 076514f351

Terms in this record

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

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