Victor Kullberg silver open-face deck watch No. 9017

Technical characteristics

Type

Pocket chronometer & deck watch

Escapement

Ratchet tooth lever escapement with free-sprung compensation balance

Measurements

82 x 58 x 20 mm

Dial Inscription

Signed KULLBERG / LONDON / 9017 / ↑ below XII

Maker / attribution

Victor Kullberg

Movement Inscription

Engraved Victor Kullberg, 105 Liverpool Road London / ↑ / No.9017

Case Hallmarks and Maker

London 1915-16, sponsor mark T.R.A. (Thomas Richard Arnott)

Design

Visible features

• Fluted gilt winding crown fitted within a round silver pendant bow at the 12 o'clock position. • Brass pin or hand-setting push-piece projecting from the case shoulder near the 1 o'clock marker. • White enamel dial displaying black Roman hour numerals, blued steel hands, and a broad arrow insignia below '9017'.

Construction and Case Identity

The silver open-face case is hallmarked for London 1915–16. It is stamped with the sponsor's mark ‘T.R.A.’ for Thomas Richard Arnott of Coventry and is numbered ‘52797’. The watch features a gilt winding crown and a brass hand-setting push-piece located at the one o’clock position. A two-tier mahogany deck box, described as 'much altered', is associated with the object, featuring a brass insert that holds the watch under a screwed brass bezel.

Procurement and Service History

The watch was supplied to Kullberg’s by J.G. Morrall of Coventry in July 1915, with finishing work completed by December 1915. It was ordered by the Admiralty in December 1915 and delivered in January 1916 for £21. The watch remained in Navy service until 1965 and was held in Ministry of Defence workshops until 1972, at which point it was sent on loan to the National Maritime Museum.

Dial and Timekeeping Configuration

The two-piece white enamel dial features black Roman numerals and an Arabic numeral track for fifths-of-seconds. It is signed below the XII position with the text: ‘KULLBERG / LONDON / 9017 / ↑’. The watch is fitted with polished blued steel spade and poker hands, accompanied by a fine-pointer blued steel second hand with a counterpoised tail.

Mechanism and Technical Specifications

The movement is a gilt-brass half-plate keyless going barrel type, featuring four turned pillars secured by polished and blued steel screws. The top of the half-plate is engraved with the maker's details and the serial number 9017. The escapement is a ratchet-tooth lever type with a free-sprung compensation balance and a blued steel spiral balance spring with overcoil. The movement is jewelled to the centre wheel.

Identification

Serial number

9017

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.