Trenton Watch Co. 18-Size Open Face Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c1895
This American pocket watch by the Trenton Watch Co dates to circa 1895. Built in an 18 size, the source states it houses a 7-jewel nickel full-plate lever movement decorated with damascening, signed 'Trenton Watch Co, Trenton, NJ' under number 302569.
Stem-wound and lever-set, the movement is cased in a gold-plated open-face housing measuring 55 mm wide by 20 mm deep, featuring chased scrolling foliate relief along the bezel and sides. The white enamel dial displays Arabic numeral hour markers, blued steel hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock.
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
- Case
- Gold plated open face case
- Type
- Open-face watch
- Maker
- Trenton Watch Co
- Dimensions
- 55mm wide x 20mm deep
- Place recorded
- United States
- Size and Jewels
- 18 size, 7 jewels
- Maker / attribution
- Trenton Watch Co
- Winding and Setting
- Stem wound / lever set
- Movement Serial Number
- 302569
Design
- Visible features
- • Full-face view showing white enamel dial with Arabic numerals and script 'Trenton Watch Co.' signature • Engraved foliate scrolling on the bezel and visible case rim • Fluted winding crown and rounded bow at the 12 o'clock position • Sunken subsidiary seconds register located at 6 o'clock • Blued steel spade hands
- Dial and Visual Presentation
- The timepiece presents a white enamel dial with Arabic numeral hour markers, an outer minute track, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at the 6 o'clock position. The dial is signed 'Trenton Watch Co' in script below the 12 o'clock marker and features blued steel spade hands. The source description states that the dial has a hairline crack located between the 10 and 11 markers. The listing and observation also record that the watch lacks a glass crystal, leaving the dial and hands exposed.
- Case Construction and Ornamentation
- The movement is fitted in a gold-plated open-face case measuring 55 mm wide by 20 mm deep. The case is constructed with a screw-off back and a screw-off front bezel. Visual observation indicates engraved foliate scrolling on the bezel and visible rim, complemented by a fluted winding crown and rounded bow at the 12 o'clock position. The source further describes the case as having richly chased sides with floral engraving and engine turning.
- Reported Movement and Operating Mechanism
- Because the interior mechanism is not visible in the provided photograph, technical details are based on dealer documentation. The seller describes an 18-size, stem-wound and lever-set nickel full-plate lever movement decorated with damascening. The plate is reported to be signed 'Trenton Watch Co, Trenton, NJ' with serial number 302569 and 7 jewels. The seller notes light scratches on the movement and offered the watch without warranty in their restoration section, noting it ran to approximately 2–3 minutes a day.
Identification
- Serial number
- 302569
- 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 source reports the watch lacks a glass crystal
- Research required: Movement is described by the source but not visible in the provided photograph