Victorian 18ct gold open-face fob watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1867
This Victorian 18ct gold open-face fob watch is hallmarked London 1867 and bears the case sponsor's mark JW, attributed probably by the seller to Joseph Walton.
Measuring 40mm in diameter with a gross weight of 49.2g, the case is numbered 32292 and features an engine-turned back with a vacant central cartouche. The timepiece has an engraved gilt dial decorated with floral and scrolling motifs, black Roman numerals, and blued steel hands. It hinges open to reveal an inner dust cover and key-winding arbor, and is accompanied by a decorative watch key and a later box from James Keir Ltd of Cardiff.
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
- Type
- Open-face watch
- Case Number
- 32292
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Dial Decoration
- Engraved gilt dial with Roman numerals and blued steel hands
- Operating Status
- Currently non-running
- Maker / attribution
- Joseph Walton
- Dimensions and Weight
- 40mm case; 49.2g gross weight
- Hallmark and Material
- 18ct gold, hallmarked London 1867
- Case Maker Attribution
- Probably Joseph Walton (sponsor mark JW)
Design
- Visible features
- • Engraved gilt dial with central floral and scrollwork detailing. • Black Roman numeral hour markers and blued steel hour and minute hands. • Gold open-face case fitted with a rounded bow and spherical pendant. • Accompanied by a watch key featuring a six-pointed star medallion. • Resting in a later fitted presentation case lined with blue textured fabric.
- Dial Design and Measurements
- The watch features an engraved gilt dial decorated with floral and scrolling motifs. Hour indications are delineated by black Roman numerals and indicated by blued steel hour and minute hands. The case diameter is recorded as 40mm, with listed overall dimensions of 4cm in width by 5cm in height. The gross weight of the timepiece is stated as 49.2g.
- Condition and Accompanying Accessories
- The watch is key-wound via an arbor accessed through the inner dust cover. The seller records the movement as currently non-running; caliber specifications, jewel counts, and escapement type are not documented in the listing. The timepiece is accompanied by a decorative watch key adorned with a six-pointed star medallion. It is housed in a later fitted presentation case lined with blue textured fabric and printed for retailer James Keir Ltd, 8 Royal Arcade, Cardiff.
- Case Construction and Maker Attribution
- The open-face fob watch is housed in an 18ct gold case hallmarked for London 1867 and stamped with the case number 32292. The exterior reverse features engine turning centered by an unengraved vacant cartouche, and the case is fitted with a rounded bow and spherical pendant. Opening the hinged back provides access to an inner dust cover protecting the movement. The case carries the sponsor's mark 'JW', which the seller notes is probably attributable to Joseph Walton following his registration of a JW mark at the London Assay Office in 1867. This maker attribution is reported by the dealer rather than verified by an independent assay archive extract in this record.
Identification
- Serial number
- 32292
- 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: Maker attribution to Joseph Walton is based on the sponsor mark JW and London Assay Office records, but is noted as probable rather than definitive.
- Research required: Movement caliber and escapement details are not documented in the listing.
- Research required: The seller reports the watch as currently non-running.