English Duplex Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1812
This English duplex pocket watch, dated to approximately 1812, is housed in an 18-carat gold consular case. The rear of the case features four-color gold embossed floral ornamentation, protected by an opening glass cover.
The watch mechanism is a full-plate fire-gilt movement, featuring a fusée and chain transmission with Harrison’s maintaining power. The movement includes a pierced and engraved balance cock set with a large diamond endstone, a steel three-arm balance, a blued steel hairspring, a duplex escapement, and a brass escape wheel. The dial is crafted from gold, finished with engine-turned geometric patterns, and displays raised gold Arabic numerals on a matte ground, paired with pierced, gilt hands.
The watch is presented with a long gold snake chain, incorporating two sliders with matching four-color gold decoration, a decorated T-bar, a short snake chain, and a winding key.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 1812
- Type
- Duplex escapement pocket watch
- Country
- England
- Escapement
- Duplex
- Case Material
- 18-carat gold
- Movement Type
- Full-plate fire-gilt, fusée and chain
- Place recorded
- England
- Case Decoration
- Four-color gold floral patterns
- Maintaining Power
- Harrison's
Design
- Accessories
- The watch is accompanied by a suite of matching accessories, including a long snake-link chain. This chain is fitted with two sliding ornaments adorned with four-color gold decoration that matches the case back. Additionally, the ensemble includes a short snake chain, a T-bar, and a matching winding key, all designed to coordinate with the watch case.
- Case and Dial
- The watch is encased in an 18-carat gold consular case, characterized by a ribbed middle band and a hinged back. The reverse side of the case exhibits decorative floral arrangements executed in four-color gold. Access to the back and front bezel is facilitated by a split-button mechanism located within the pendant. The dial is constructed from gold and features intricate engine-turned geometric engraving. It is accented with raised Arabic numerals in gold set against a matte background. The time is indicated by pierced, gilt hands, which complement the overall decorative scheme of the gold case and matching accessories.
- Visible features
- • Case back features four-color gold floral motifs • Dial features engine-turned patterns • Movement features a large diamond endstone • Movement is equipped with a gold dust cover with pierced apertures
- Movement and Escapement
- The movement is a full-plate design finished with fire gilding. It features a gold dust cover that includes pierced apertures for observing the balance cock and silver regulating disk. The timing mechanism incorporates a steel three-arm balance, a blued steel hairspring, and a duplex escapement with a brass escape wheel. Power is delivered via a fusée and chain system equipped with Harrison’s maintaining power. The balance cock is pierced and engraved, supporting a prominent diamond endstone.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The specific maker is not identified in the source text
- Research required: The exact date of 1812 is approximate