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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Duplex pocket watch

William Gardner Chester Hallmarked Duplex Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This English silver open-face pocket watch dates to 1855, with the seller reporting Chester hallmarks inside the case. The watch features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, blued steel hands, an outer minute ring, and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at six o'clock under a bevelled glass crystal. According to the seller, the key-wound gilt movement is built in a three-quarter plate configuration, is fitted with a duplex escapement with blued screws, and is signed 'William Gardner Manchester' alongside serial number 1040. The engine-turned silver case measures 51 mm in diameter and weighs 104 grams.

Dial view of the silver pocket watch showing Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds
Dial view of the silver pocket watch showing Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds — Euro Antique Watches / Antiques Atlas. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiques-atlas.com
Category
Pocket watch · Duplex pocket watch
Maker / attribution
William Gardner
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
as834a524
Source-reported date
1855
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
1040

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 Visual Presentation

The pocket watch features an open-face white enamel dial with black Roman numeral hour indices and blued steel hands, including a spade-tipped hour hand. A subsidiary seconds subdial with ten-second numerical markers is positioned at 6 o'clock.

Above the dial, a plain polished silver bow and pendant are positioned at 12 o'clock. The seller reports that the dial is covered and protected by an original bevelled glass crystal.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial featuring black Roman numeral hour indices.”
  • “Blued steel hands including a spade-tipped hour hand.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds subdial at the 6 o'clock position with ten-second numerical markers.”
  • “Polished silver bow and pendant at 12 o'clock.”
  • “The dial is protected by an original bevelled glass.”

Reported Movement and Mechanism

According to the seller, the watch is fitted with a key-wound, gilt three-quarter full-plate movement that is signed 'William Gardner Manchester' and numbered 1040. The listing references page 291 of Brian Loomes's dictionary in connection with the maker.

The seller describes the movement as possessing a duplex escapement, blued screws, and a finely regulated balance assembly. It is stated to be in good working condition, though the seller notes accuracy cannot be guaranteed due to age. None of these internal features are shown in the single dial-side photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Key wind Gilt ¾ full-plate movement signed William Gardner Manchester (see Brian Loomes dictionary page 291) and numbered 1040”
  • “with duplex escapement, blued screws, and finely regulated balance assembly, in a good working condition however we cannot guarantee accuracy due to the age of the piece.”

Case Construction and Documentation Constraints

The silver case has a reported diameter of 51 mm and a total weight of 104 grams. The vendor describes the case exterior as engine-turned with a central cartouche, a gold hinged cover, and a plain polished bow and pendant.

The inside of the case is reported by the seller to carry Chester hallmarks dated to 1855. However, visual verification is strictly limited to the dial-side image provided; the case back, engine-turning, cartouche, and interior hallmarks are not visible in the source photography.

Evidence for this section
  • “Engine-turned silver case with central cartouche, gold hinged cover, and plain polished bow and pendant.”
  • “The inside of the case is Chester hallmark 1855.”
  • “Diameter: 51mm”
  • “Weight: 104g”

Open research questions

  • What specific Chester date letter, hallmark symbols, and case maker's sponsor mark are stamped inside the case to independently verify the 1855 date?
  • Does direct photographic inspection of the movement confirm the duplex escapement layout, plate configuration, and serial number 1040?
  • What specific entry appears on page 291 of Brian Loomes's watchmaker dictionary regarding William Gardner of Manchester?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for William Gardner Chester Hallmarked Duplex Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerWilliam Gardner Manchester“signed William Gardner Manchester”
Movement Number1040“numbered 1040”
EscapementDuplex escapement“featuring a duplex escapement movement”
HallmarkChester 1855“The inside of the case is Chester hallmark 1855.”
Diameter51mm“Diameter: 51mm”
Weight104g“Weight: 104g”
Plate ConfigurationGilt ¾ full-plate (seller-reported)“Key wind Gilt ¾ full-plate movement”
Case FeaturesEngine-turned with central cartouche and gold hinged cover (seller-reported)“Engine-turned silver case with central cartouche, gold hinged cover”
CrystalOriginal bevelled glass (seller-reported)“The dial is protected by an original bevelled glass.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial featuring black Roman numeral hour indices.
  • Blued steel hands including a spade-tipped hour hand.
  • Subsidiary seconds subdial at the 6 o'clock position with ten-second numerical markers.
  • Polished silver bow and pendant at 12 o'clock.

Research qualifications

  • The movement plate, serial number, and case hallmarks are reported in the listing text but not pictured in the single dial-side photograph.
  • Case back engine-turning and central cartouche are noted by the seller but not visible in the provided image.

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

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - Silver English Hallmark 1855 - Duplex Escapement as834a524 / Silver English Hallmark 1

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record a576b5fcc4

Terms in this record

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

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