Joseph Johnson No. 441 gold pair-cased pocket chronometer
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1815-1816
This gold pair-cased pocket chronometer is catalogued as made by Joseph Johnson of Liverpool around 1815–1816, bearing movement number 441. The watch features an 18ct gold pair case hallmarked for Chester (1815–16), with an engine-turned outer case and a plain inner case.
Its white enamel dial displays Roman numerals, gold hands, and a large subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The source reports a gilded full-plate movement incorporating a spring detent escapement, an Earnshaw-type balance with moveable timing weights, a blued steel helical spring, and a fusee with chain.
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
- Type
- Pair cased pocket chronometer
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Escapement type
- Spring detent escapement
- Movement number
- 441
- Maker / attribution
- Joseph Johnson
- Outer case diameter
- 60 mm
- Hallmark date and assay
- Chester 1815-16
Design
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track. • Gold hands with a heart or spade motif near the tip of the hour hand. • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the bottom with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals. • Outer bezel features an engraved scrolling pattern around the crystal. • Gold pendant and stirrup bow attached at 12 o'clock.
- Dial and Visual Presentation
- Visual observation of the watch shows a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track. Time is marked by gold hands, including an hour hand featuring a heart or spade motif near its tip, accompanied by a subsidiary seconds dial at the bottom marked with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals. The outer bezel features an engraved scrolling pattern around the crystal, and a gold pendant and stirrup bow are attached at the 12 o'clock position.
- Case Construction and Hallmarks
- According to the auction cataloguer, the watch has an 18ct gold pair-case construction. The outer case measures 60 mm in diameter and is described as featuring bright-cut engine-turned decoration centered with a vacant cartouche, while the inner case measures 54 mm, is plain polished, and has a winding aperture on the back. The total weight is recorded as approximately 190 g. Both inner and outer cases are reported to be hallmarked for Chester 1815–16 with maker's mark 'EJ incuse with crescent moon'. The inner case is additionally recorded with an incuse mark 'JJ' and numbered 441.
- Reported Movement Specification
- The movement is not visible in the provided image and is documented from the auction description. It is catalogued as a gilded full plate with cylindrical pillars, signed 'Joseph Johnson, Liverpool, No. 441'. The cataloguer notes a spring detent escapement, an Earnshaw-type large bi-metallic balance with two moveable keystone timing weights, a blued steel helical spring, a diamond endstone, and a fusee with chain.
Identification
- Serial number
- 441
- 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 internal movement, helical spring, and hallmarks are reported by the cataloguer and not visible in the provided image.
- Research required: The rear case decoration and inner case are not visible in this front view.