Tiffany & Co. / IWC Open Face Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1930
Dating to circa 1930 according to Christie's, this open-face pocket watch was manufactured by International Watch Co. for retailer Tiffany & Co. The timepiece is housed in a 14-karat gold case measuring 45.5 mm in diameter, accented by a distinctive trapezoidal bow at the 12 o'clock winding position.
Its silvered dial is configured with applied gilt Arabic numerals, baton hour markers, a beaded outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The dial is signed 'TIFFANY & Co.', while the manual-winding time-only movement is signed 'International Watch Co.' The case back is reportedly engraved with the monogram 'P.H.L'.
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
- Silvered
- Type
- Open-face watch
- Circa
- 1930
- Diameter
- 45.5mm
- Movement
- Manual
- Accessories
- Tiffany & Co. Presentation Box
- Case Material
- 14K gold
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Movement Signature
- International Watch Co.
- Case Back Engraving
- P.H.L
- Maker / attribution
- IWC / Tiffany & Co.
Design
- Visible features
- • Prominent dark discoloration and tarnish around the gold bezel rim • Silvered dial featuring applied gilt even Arabic numerals alternating with baton markers • Embossed or drilled beaded outer minute divisions • Subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock with 'SWISS' printed along the lower dial edge • Angular, trapezoidal Art Deco style bow over the fluted crown • Dial signed 'TIFFANY & Co.' in serif capital lettering below the 12 position
- Dial Configuration
- The watch features a silvered dial with applied gilt even Arabic numerals alternating with baton hour markers, bounded by an outer beaded minute track. A subsidiary seconds register is situated at 6 o'clock. The dial is signed 'TIFFANY & Co.' in serif capital lettering beneath 12 o'clock, with 'SWISS' visible at the bottom edge. The cataloguer notes that the dial, hands, and applied markers have developed patina, but condition assertions in the auction report are seller claims rather than verified facts.
- Case Form and Metalwork
- Christie's records the case as 14K gold with a diameter of 45.5 mm. Visual observation notes an angular, trapezoidal Art Deco style bow fitted over the fluted crown at the 12 o'clock position. Prominent dark discoloration and tarnish are visible along the gold bezel rim. The auction condition report notes that the case exhibits light scratches and patina, and that the case back is engraved "P.H.L", though the reverse is not shown in the primary photograph.
- Identity and Retail Context
- According to Christie's catalogue description, this open-face pocket watch dates to circa 1930 and was made for the retailer Tiffany & Co. The retailer's name appears on the dial, while the auction cataloguer states that the movement is signed "International Watch Co." The lot documentation lists an accompanying Tiffany & Co. presentation box. Movement serial numbers and specific calibre designations are not recorded in the source.
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: Internal movement signature, movement calibre, and serial numbers are not visible in the photograph; details rely on the auction house catalogue description
- Research required: Case back engraving 'P.H.L' is documented in the condition report but not shown in the single front-facing photograph