J Penlington English Lever Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
early nineteenth century
This early nineteenth-century open-face pocket watch is housed in an 18-karat gold case. The timepiece is signed 'J Penlington Liverpool' on the movement, which is identified by serial number 2731.
The movement is a traditional key-wound, full-plate fusee caliber with gilt finish, equipped with Harrison’s maintaining power and an English table roller lever escapement. Features include a gold three-arm balance, diamond endstone, and a blued-steel Bosley regulator. The gold dial displays a matte background with multi-colored gold relief ornamentations and polished Roman numerals, accompanied by blued-steel hands.
The exterior case features hand-engraved and chased decorations on the middle bands, bezels, pendant, and bow. The back of the case is engine-turned with a vacant circular cartouche. The watch includes a gilt dust cover. The auction description reports that the operational status and recent service history are unknown.
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
- Dial
- Gold with multi-colored relief
- Type
- Open-face pocket watch
- Maker
- J Penlington
- Balance
- Three-arm gold
- Regulator
- Bosley
- Escapement
- English table roller lever
- Case material
- 18-karat gold
- Place recorded
- England
- Maker / attribution
- J Penlington
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is an open-face model with an 18-karat gold case. The middle sections, bezels, pendant, and bow are detailed with hand-engraved and chased floral patterns. The back cover exhibits engine-turned decoration centered on a vacant circular cartouche. The manufacturer's mark, 'SB', is stamped within a rectangular frame on the case. The dial is constructed from gold and features a matte finish. It is ornamented with multi-colored gold relief elements located at the center and periphery. The hours are indicated by polished gold Roman numerals, and the time is read via blued-steel hands.
- Visible features
- • Decorative hand-engraved gold bow and pendant • Multi-colored gold relief ornamentation on the dial • Polished Roman numerals on a matte gold dial • Engine-turned back case with a blank circular cartouche
- Movement and Mechanism
- The movement follows a traditional full-plate design with gilt finishing. It is a key-wound mechanism utilizing a fusee and chain. The escapement is an English table roller lever type, complemented by a three-arm gold balance wheel, a diamond endstone, and a blued-steel Bosley regulator with a spiral hairspring. The movement incorporates Harrison’s maintaining power for consistent force transmission during winding. The balance cock is plain, featuring the engraved words 'Detachd' on the table and 'Lever' on the foot. A gilt dust cover protects the movement from external debris.
- Signatures and Condition
- The watch is signed 'J Penlington Liverpool' on the movement, accompanied by the serial number 2731. The auction description reports that the functional state of the watch is not stated, and the history of recent servicing is unknown. Prospective owners are advised to seek professional assessment of the balance jewels, fusee chain, and the lubrication of the escapement prior to operation.
Identification
- Serial number
- 2731
- 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: Operational state and service history are not specified
- Research required: Specific date within the early nineteenth century is not provided