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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-faced pocket watch

William Anthony Gilt Brass and Paste-Set Open-Faced Watch, No. 1940

Partially verified

This open-faced pocket watch is attributed by the source to William Anthony of London, dating to circa 1790 for the Chinese market. It features a 74 mm two-body case engraved with swags, set with red, green, and white paste stones on the bezels, and backed with carved agate. The white enamel dial is inscribed 'ANTHONY LONDON' and presents radial Roman numerals, Arabic quarter numerals, gold spade hands, and a large subsidiary seconds dial. According to the source, the calibre 23''' frosted gilt movement incorporates an experimental six-day power reserve driven by twin spring barrels with a duplex escapement.

Dial view of the William Anthony open-faced pocket watch No. 1940
Dial view of the William Anthony open-faced pocket watch No. 1940 — EveryWatch. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
everywatch.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-faced pocket watch
Maker / attribution
William Anthony
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1790
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
1940

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 Case Construction

The object is recorded as a large, gilt brass open-faced watch catalogued under number 1940 and dated circa 1790 for the Chinese market. The source lists its dimensions as 74 mm in diameter, with materials comprising brass, chalcedony, and imitation stones. According to the cataloguing description, it features a two-body case engraved with swags, bezels set with red, green, and white paste, an agate back carved with a stylized flower, and a gilt brass dust cover.

Visual observation of the front face confirms that the front bezel is set with alternating faceted red, green, and clear paste stones. In addition, the outer metal bezel rim and the pendant display visible tarnishing and wear across the gilded surface.

Evidence for this section
  • “NO 1940 CIRCA 1790 brass, chalcedony, imitation stones diameter 74 mm”
  • “two-body case engraved with swags, the bezels set with red, green and white paste, agate back carved with a stylized flower • gilt brass dust cover”
  • “Front bezel is set with alternating faceted red, green, and clear paste stones.”
  • “Outer metal bezel and pendant display visible tarnishing and wear to the gilt surface.”

Dial Configuration

The dial is described and observed as white enamel, signed 'ANTHONY LONDON' beneath 12 o'clock. It features radial Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track marked with Arabic numerals at the quarter hours, and gold-toned spade hands.

A large subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at 6 o'clock. Visual observation confirms that this subsidiary dial occupies a major portion of the lower dial plane, marked with Arabic increments and minute divisions.

Evidence for this section
  • “white enamel with radial Roman numerals, Arabic quarter hour numerals, gold spade hands, large subsidiary seconds, outer minute track”
  • “Dial is signed 'ANTHONY LONDON' below 12 o'clock.”
  • “White enamel dial displays radial Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track with Arabic quarters, and an oversized subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.”

Reported Movement and Mechanism

The internal mechanism is reported by the source as a calibre 23''' frosted gilt full plate movement with ringed cylindrical pillars and foliate engraved backplate furniture. The source notes that both the dial and movement are signed William Anthony, London, and attributes an experimental six-day power reserve movement to the watch.

The power train and escapement are documented in the source as dual-wound twin spring barrels secured by a semi-circular bridge sharing a single chain and fusee, maintaining power, a duplex escapement, and a three-arm balance with peripheral timing screws, a blued steel flat balance spring, an index regulator, and a diamond endstone. As the movement is not visible in the provided image, these technical specifications rest entirely on the auction cataloguing text.

Evidence for this section
  • “cal. 23''' frosted gilt full plate, ringed cylindrical pillars, foliate engraved backplate furniture, dual-wound twin spring barrels secured by a semi-circular bridge and sharing a single chain and fusee, maintaining power, duplex escapement, three-arm balance with peripheral timing screws, blued steel flat balance spring, diamond endstone, index regulator, experimental 6 day power reserve movement”
  • “dial and movement signedWilliam Anthony, London”

Open research questions

  • Which auction house and specific auction session offered lot 1940 for 10,000 CHF?
  • What is the physical condition and carved motif visible on the agate case back and dust cover, which cannot be seen from the front dial view?
  • What specific dual-barrel gearing arrangement is utilized beneath the semi-circular bridge to provide the reported six-day duration?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for William Anthony Gilt Brass and Paste-Set Open-Faced Watch, No. 1940
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Number1940“NO 1940 CIRCA 1790”
Diameter74 mm“diameter 74 mm”
EscapementDuplex escapement“duplex escapement”
Bezel stonesRed, green and white paste“the bezels set with red, green and white paste”
Dial and movement signatureWilliam Anthony, London“dial and movement signedWilliam Anthony, London”
Movement Calibre23'''“cal. 23''' frosted gilt full plate”
Reported Power Reserve6-day duration (experimental)“experimental 6 day power reserve movement”
Case Back Material and DesignAgate carved with a stylized flower“agate back carved with a stylized flower”

Visible details

  • Front bezel is set with alternating faceted red, green, and clear paste stones.
  • White enamel dial displays radial Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track with Arabic quarters, and an oversized subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.
  • Dial is signed 'ANTHONY LONDON' below 12 o'clock.
  • Gold-toned spade hands indicate hours and minutes.
  • Outer metal bezel and pendant display visible tarnishing and wear to the gilt surface.

Research qualifications

  • The carved agate back and the movement details are reported by the source and cannot be confirmed from the primary front image.
  • The auction house name and specific lot number are truncated in the source text.

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

Consulted source

William Anthony Brass White 1790 | EveryWatch

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e4fbeb80be

Terms in this record

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

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