Sarton Silver Pocket Watch with Regulator Dial
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1795
This large silver pocket watch was made by Hubert Sarton, a clockmaker who settled in Liège, approximately in 1795. The timepiece is characterized by its regulator-type white enamel dial, which indicates the meantime with a small chapter ring featuring Arabic numerals, along with outer dot minute divisions.
The dial also includes indications for the days of the week and a peripheral track for seconds with Arabic five-second numerals. The watch is housed in a polished, double-body Directoire silver case with a concealed hinge. Internally, it features a 55 mm hinged gilt brass full-plate movement with cylindrical pillars. The watch is powered by a fusee and chain mechanism equipped with a verge escapement featuring micrometric potence adjustment.
It utilizes a plain brass three-arm balance and a flat balance spring. The movement is finished with a gilt brass continental cock containing a polished steel endplate and a silver regulation dial.
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 1795
- Type
- Open-face watch
- Maker
- Hubert Sarton
- Case Style
- Directoire
- Escapement
- Verge with micrometric potence adjustment
- Case Number
- 3520
- Place recorded
- Liège
- Condition: Dial
- Hairline present
- Movement Diameter
- 55 mm
- Maker / attribution
- Hubert Sarton
Design
- Case and Dial
- The timepiece is housed in a large, polished silver case constructed with a double-body design and a concealed hinge. The dial is executed in white enamel and follows a regulator layout. It incorporates a smaller chapter ring for the meantime display, marked with Arabic numerals and accompanied by outer dot minute divisions. Additionally, the dial records the days of the week and features an outermost ring specifically for seconds, graduated with Arabic numerals at five-second intervals.
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial with regulator layout • Polished silver case with concealed hinge • Visible seconds track on the outermost dial circumference • Gilt brass continental balance cock
- Movement and Escapement
- The watch is powered by a hinged, gilt brass full-plate movement measuring 55 mm in diameter. The construction utilizes cylindrical pillars to secure the plates. The energy transmission is managed by a traditional fusee and chain mechanism. Precision in the timekeeping is provided by a verge escapement that incorporates a micrometric potence adjustment. The oscillating system consists of a plain brass three-arm balance paired with a flat balance spring. Further regulation is facilitated by a gilt brass continental cock, which includes a polished steel endplate and an integrated silver regulation dial.
- Signatures and Provenance
- The watch is signed by Hubert Sarton, a clockmaker originally born in Paris in 1748 who later established his practice in Liège. The auction description confirms that the movement is signed. The case is identified with the serial number 3520.
Identification
- Serial number
- 3520
- 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 auction description reports a hairline in the enamel dial
- Research required: Overhaul of the movement is recommended by the auction house