Rare Diablotine Duplex Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1870
This pocket watch, dated by the seller to circa 1870, features an engraved sterling silver case reported at 55 mm in diameter. According to the seller, the watch houses a fully engraved golden brass movement equipped with a duplex escapement and diablotine complication, where a center seconds hand beats half-seconds and a subsidiary hand at 6 o'clock beats quarter-seconds.
The white enamel dial is styled with black Roman numerals and openwork hands. It is wound and set via 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
- Dial
- White enamel with Roman numerals
- Type
- Open-face watch
- Diameter
- 55 mm
- Escapement
- Duplex escapement
- Case material
- Sterling silver
- Movement finish
- Fully engraved golden brass
- Winding and setting
- Key-operated
Design
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial displaying black Roman hour numerals and an outer minute track with dotted subdivisions. • Ornate openwork hands along with a central seconds hand and a subdial pointer at the 6 o'clock position. • Silver-toned metal case with a spherical pendant, round bow, and reeded edge band.
- Dial and Visible Display
- Direct observation of the front face reveals a white enamel dial with black Roman hour markers and an outer minute track detailed with dotted subdivisions. Time is indicated by ornate openwork hands, supplemented by a long central seconds hand and an auxiliary pointer positioned within a subdial at 6 o'clock. According to the seller, this layout corresponds to a diablotine configuration where the center hand beats half-seconds while the subsidiary hand at 6 o'clock measures quarter-seconds. The dealer describes the hands as original and characterizes the diablotine complication as displaying fractions of a second with a jumping hand.
- Reported Movement and Complication
- The internal mechanism is not visible in the provided photograph, meaning mechanical specifications rely entirely on dealer statements. The seller reports that the watch is powered by a fully engraved golden brass movement fitted with a duplex escapement. The listing notes that winding and time setting are operated by a key. Condition statements by the dealer claiming excellent condition and proper functioning are unverified promotional assertions.
- Case Construction and Documentation Caveats
- Visual inspection shows a silver-toned metal casing fitted with a spherical pendant, round bow, and a reeded band around the case edge. The listing text notes the material as sterling silver and describes an engraved landscape on the case, though this decorative scene is not visible in the front-facing photograph. The listing includes a clerical discrepancy in dimensions, stating 'Diameter: 55cm' in the structured attributes while citing 'Diameter 55mm' in the description text. Maker and origin marks are not recorded in this source, and the date attribution of circa 1870 is dealer-provided.
Identification
- Reference
- 1680755
- 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: Dealer listing has a clerical discrepancy specifying 'Diameter: 55cm' in specifications but 'Diameter 55mm' in description.
- Research required: Movement details and landscape case engraving described by the seller are not visible in the supplied front photograph.