Search 0
25,988  PAGES BROWSED TODAY PAGES TODAY • 107 ANTIQUES UPLOADED TODAYNEW ARRIVALS
Sorted by
Per page
DEALER LOGIN
Selling Antiques Logo
0
Saved
107 ITEMS ADDED TODAY
Home
Return
Dealer Login
500+ Shops
Dealers
Newly Added
0
Saved
Sort Order
Items Per Page
sellingantiques.co.uk
Browse Categories
Sort order
Relevant Links
Items per page
ID #SA1195095
FOR SALE
£195
Email Buy
Save
Large Antique Altimeter, Poss Military Observation Balloon
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
for sale €228     $248
£195
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company

The Vintage Wrist Watch Company

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2011
View Dealers Stock Page
  • About Us
    Specialists in antique and vintage wrist watches and pocket watches
Relevant Links
Id #SA1195095
PDF SHARE
SAVE

Large Antique Altimeter, Poss Military Observation Balloon

1900 - 1920
Description

Large antique altimeter, poss military observation balloon.

The altimeter measures 69mm diameter excluding the stem and the loop, so larger than the standard 50mm size.

It is believed that an altimeter of this size would have been used aboard an observation balloon during the first World War… the observer would have worn thick gloves so a larger altimeter would have been easier to handle.

Identical altimeters were manufactured by Thomas Watson Scientific Instruments Ltd, a London based optical and scientific instrument manufacturer and this is probably one of their pieces.

The altimeter is functioning although has not been tested for accuracy.

Declaration

The Vintage Wrist Watch Company has dated this Antique Brass Pocket Altimeter to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1195095
Dealers Notes

ALL PRICES INCLUDE UK POSTAGE (because of GPSR legislation, we no longer post items less than 100 years old to Europe, including Northern Ireland).

Please contact us regarding international shipping.

All of our watches are checked over before listing, and are also checked for accuracy which is usually within around +/- two to three minutes over 24 hours (unless otherwise stated), which is considered respectable for a vintage watch.

We are a VAT registered company and all purchases are covered by Consumer Regulations.

Credit / debit card purchases up to £300 can be made over the telephone on 01386 750238 or you can proceed via the 'Purchase Antique' button on each listing page. Alternatively, there is a Paypal payment link if you scroll down the page and we also accept bank transfers.

We are an on-line only business and do not have facilities for callers. Our offices are open from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

With regards to appraisals / valuations, we receive a huge number of information requests each day and unfortunately do not have the manpower to deal with them all individually. Our advice would be to contact a local auctioneer for a full appraisal.

Description
Large antique altimeter, poss military observation balloon.
“
The altimeter measures 69mm diameter excluding the stem and the loop, so larger than the standard 50mm size.
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company

It is believed that an altimeter of this size would have been used aboard an observation balloon during the first World War… the observer would have worn thick gloves so a larger altimeter would have been easier to handle.

fig 1. A circular antique brass pocket altimeter featuring a calibrated dial marked in feet and inches, with a top suspension loop.
fig 1. Large Antique Altimeter, Poss Military Observation Balloon

Identical altimeters were manufactured by Thomas Watson Scientific Instruments Ltd, a London based optical and scientific instrument manufacturer and this is probably one of their pieces.

The altimeter is functioning although has not been tested for accuracy.

Date of Manufacture

The Vintage Wrist Watch Company has dated this Antique Brass Pocket Altimeter to the 1910s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1195095
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2011

Specialists in antique and vintage wrist watches and pocket watches

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the The Vintage Wrist Watch Company Profile Page

PDF SHARE
SAVE
A circular antique brass pocket altimeter featuring a calibrated dial marked in feet and inches, with a top suspension loop.
1 / 3
Archive I A circular antique brass pocket altimeter featuring a calibrated dial marked in feet and inches, with a top suspension loop.

Large Antique Altimeter, Poss Military Observation Balloon

Archive II A circular antique brass pocket altimeter featuring a calibrated dial marked in feet and inches, with a top suspension loop. View II
Archive III A circular antique brass pocket altimeter featuring a calibrated dial marked in feet and inches, with a top suspension loop. View III
Enlarged Archival View
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company

The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
Telephone 01386 750 238
Location
Worcestershire
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/vintagewristwatch
Verified Since Jul 2011
Items For Sale 246
Items Sold 6,645
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
Verified Since Jul 2011
View Dealer Info
Location: Worcestershire, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/vintagewristwatch
Verified
Jul 2011
For Sale
246
Sold
6,645
A circular antique brass pocket altimeter featuring a calibrated dial marked in feet and inches, with a top suspension loop.
Large antique altimeter, poss military observation balloon
Ref: SA1195095
A circular antique brass pocket altimeter featuring a calibrated dial marked in feet and inches, with a top suspension loop.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Archival Detail

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.

Secure Transit

Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.

The Sustainable Choice

Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.

FAQs

An antique pocket altimeter was used by surveyors, aeronauts, and military observers to measure elevation above sea level based on changes in atmospheric pressure.

These instruments were typically constructed with a solid brass outer casing, a bevelled glass lens, and an internal aneroid capsule mechanism connected to a printed dial.

Authentic pieces feature dual-calibrated scales for barometric pressure and altitude in feet, hand-cut components, aged brass patination, and often display the word Compensated on the dial face.

Display the object on an office desk, inside a glazed cabinet of curiosities, or set atop a stack of leather-bound books to add a touch of historic intellect to the space.

Keep the item in a climate-controlled room away from moisture, avoid abrasive chemical polishes that remove natural patination, and dust gently using a dry microfibre cloth.
items
Add keywords to the filter
Price
£100
£250000
Era
Movements
Material
Origin
Stock Location
Freshness
Online Payments
Categories