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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Washington Watch Co. Liberty Bell Grade 69 open-face pocket watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch, dated to 1908 by the source, features a mechanical movement signed Washington Watch Co. and reported as manufactured by the Illinois Watch Co. Configured as an 18-size, model 6 movement with 17 jewels and lever setting, it is identified as Grade 69 Liberty Bell under serial number 1747124. The white dial presents Arabic hour numerals, red outer five-minute markers, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The watch is cased in a 53.8 mm nickel Star Watch Case Co. housing with coin-edge border detailing.

Dial view of the Washington Watch Co. Liberty Bell Grade 69 open-face pocket watch
Dial view of the Washington Watch Co. Liberty Bell Grade 69 open-face 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
Illinois Watch Co.
Reference
WA-4974
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1908
Source-reported place
United States
Source-reported serial
1747124

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 Provenance

This timepiece is marketed as a Washington Watch Co. Liberty Bell, identified as Grade 69. The source identifies the internal mechanism as a product manufactured by the Illinois Watch Co. for a private label, noting that movements marked "Washington Watch Co." are typically produced by the Illinois Watch Company.

The object is recorded with movement serial number 1747124 and an associated manufacture date of 1908. As the movement and interior case back are not visible in the provided photographic evidence, these details are dependent upon the source reporting.

Evidence for this section
  • “This manual-wind pocket watch features the original Washington Watch Co. mechanical movement manufactured by the Illinois Watch Co.”
  • “With very rare exception, movements marked "Washington Watch Co." are private labels manufactured by the Illinois Watch Company”
  • “Washington Watch Co. 17 Jewels Liberty Bell 1747124”

Dial and Visual Features

The watch features a white dial signed 'Washington Watch Co.' in cursive script positioned below the 12 o'clock marker. The display utilizes Arabic hour numerals accompanied by an outer perimeter track.

Time is indicated by blued steel hands, with a subsidiary seconds register located at the 6 o'clock position marked in ten-second increments.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial signed 'Washington Watch Co.' in cursive script below 12 o'clock.”
  • “The original white dial showcases bold Arabic numerals, a black minute track, and matching blue steel hands.”
  • “The sub-second dial, located at 6 o’clock, has Arabic numerals marking every 10 seconds.”

Construction and Case Specifications

The movement is housed in a 53.8 mm nickel-finished case produced by the Star Watch Case Co. The exterior design includes coin-edge detailing along the bezel.

The watch features a large shaped bow and a winding crown positioned at 12 o'clock. The total case height is reported as 67 mm including the crown, with a thickness of 17.2 mm.

Evidence for this section
  • “Encased in a 53.8mm round case, this pocket watch is finished in nickel”
  • “coin engraved design on the border”
  • “Star W.C.Co. Nickel 5887476”
  • “Case with Crown 67”
  • “Case Thickness 17.2”

Open research questions

  • What specific archival records from the Illinois Watch Company correlate serial number 1747124 to the 1908 production year?
  • Can the retailer attribution to Montgomery Ward & Co. be independently verified through external horological databases?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Washington Watch Co. Liberty Bell Grade 69 open-face pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement GradeGrade 69“It has a grade 69, includes 17 jewels, model 6, 18s, lever set and an open face design.”
Movement Serial Number1747124“Washington Watch Co. 17 Jewels Liberty Bell 1747124”
Case Serial Number5887476“Star W.C.Co. Nickel 5887476”
Case Diameter53.8 mm“Encased in a 53.8mm round case, this pocket watch is finished in nickel”
Country of ManufactureU.S.A.“The movement also has a sub-second hand and was crafted in the U.S.A.”
Movement Specifications17 jewels, model 6, 18-size, lever set“It has a grade 69, includes 17 jewels, model 6, 18s, lever set and an open face design.”

Visible details

  • White dial signed 'Washington Watch Co.' in cursive script below 12 o'clock.
  • Outer perimeter displays red Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals.
  • Coin-edge reeding along the outer bezel perimeter surrounding the crystal.
  • Large shaped bow with ribbed winding crown positioned at 12 o'clock.
  • Subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals marking ten-second increments.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and interior case back markings are not visible in the supplied photograph and rely on source description.
  • Clear acrylic display stand visible in the image is not part of the watch.

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

Consulted source

1908 WASHINGTON Pocket Watch Openface 18s Liberty Bell Grade 69 by Ill – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record da2cdda1b2

Terms in this record

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

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