What is a deck watch chronograph?

A deck watch is a high-precision timekeeping instrument used aboard ships to aid in navigation by maintaining accuracy relative to the primary marine chronometer.

What materials were traditionally used in turn-of-the-century deck watches?

These watches typically featured solid silver or nickel cases, white vitreous enamel dials, blued steel hands, and high-grade mechanical movements housed with glass crystals.

How can one identify an authentic antique split-seconds deck watch?

Authentic examples feature dual central chronograph hands controlled by pushers, precise sub-dials for fractional second measurements, hallmark stampings on silver cases, and maker inscriptions on the dial or movement.

How can an antique deck watch be styled in a modern setting?

An antique deck watch can be displayed on a dedicated brass pocket watch stand, mounted within a velvet-lined dome display, or presented on a desk accessory tray in a study.

How should an antique silver pocket watch be maintained and cared for?

Store the timepiece in a dry, temperature-controlled environment away from magnetic fields, clean the silver case using a soft microfibre cloth, and have the mechanical movement serviced by a professional horologist every three to five years.

for sale €1,047 $1,137

£895

Oliver Sargent Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2013

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Specialists in vintage military watches & clocks and antique oriental ceramics & works of art

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Id #SA1235525

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Rare Antique Silver Deck Watch Chronograph with 1/5th-second Split-seconds Dial – Circa 1900

1900 - 1920

For Sale by Oliver Sargent Antiques

Description

Rare Antique Silver Deck Watch Chronograph with 1/5th-Second Split-Seconds Dial – Circa 1900

Price: £895.00 – UK delivery included

A fine and unusually large antique silver-cased deck watch chronograph, dating to approximately 1900, featuring the particularly rare 1/5th-second split-seconds chronograph dial and a scarce Ascot Patent chronograph movement, with the patent dating from 1897.

This substantial pocket watch is housed in a continental .935 silver case, complete with its original silver movement dust cover. The case is exceptionally well preserved, with excellent, tight hinges, and is fully hallmarked throughout.

One of the principal attractions of this example is its rare 1/5th-second chronograph dial. The dial remains in fine original, unrestored condition, retaining an exceptionally fresh appearance and being close to mint condition. The original deep-blued hands are equally well preserved.

Another particularly attractive detail is the rose-coloured gold-looking pin-set button and shroud, providing an unusual contrast against the silver case.

The watch retains its original Ascot Patent chronograph movement, covered by a patent dated 1897. Ascot Patent chronograph movements are seldom encountered today, making this a particularly interesting example for the collector of late 19th- and early 20th-century precision chronograph watches.

The dial is retailer signed, with the surviving retailer information indicating London as the remaining location, suggesting that the watch was supplied through the English market.

Key Specifications

• Type: Antique pocket watch / deck watch chronograph

• Date: Circa 1900

• Case: Continental .935 silver

• Case: Fully hallmarked throughout

• Movement: Ascot Patent chronograph

• Patent: 1897

• Chronograph dial: Rare 1/5th-second split-seconds configuration

• Dial: Original, unrestored, exceptionally well preserved

• Hands: Original deep-blued hands

• Case feature: Rose-coloured gold-looking pin-set button and shroud

• Movement cover: Original silver dust cover

• Diameter: Approximately 59 mm, excluding stem tube and crown

• Depth: Approximately 20 mm

• Condition: Fine original condition

Collector's Note

Large silver deck watches and precision chronographs from around 1900 are highly appealing to collectors for their combination of substantial proportions, technical interest and period craftsmanship. The combination of a .935 silver case, rare 1/5th-second split-seconds dial and Ascot Patent chronograph movement makes this an especially interesting example.

A rare and impressive circa-1900 antique silver pocket watch chronograph, offered in fine original condition.

Price: £895.00, including shipping within the UK.

You can find more items of interest and purchase through our website, using all major credit cards:

please visit: www.oliversargentantiques.com

Declaration

Oliver Sargent Antiques has dated this Silver Deck Watch Chronograph to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1235525

Dealers Internal Reference

OSA1609

Description

Rare Antique Silver Deck Watch Chronograph with 1/5th-Second Split-Seconds Dial – Circa 1900

Price: £895.00 – UK delivery included

A fine and unusually large antique silver-cased deck watch chronograph, dating to approximately 1900, featuring the particularly rare 1/5th-second split-seconds chronograph dial and a scarce Ascot Patent chronograph movement, with the patent dating from 1897.

This substantial pocket watch is housed in a continental .935 silver case, complete with its original silver movement dust cover.

“

The case is exceptionally well preserved, with excellent, tight hinges, and is fully hallmarked throughout.

Oliver Sargent Antiques

fig 1. An open-face silver pocket watch featuring a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, split-seconds hands, a subsidiary seconds dial, and a brass onion crown at the top. — fig 1. Rare Antique Silver Deck Watch Chronograph with 1/5th-second Split-seconds Dial – Circa 1900

One of the principal attractions of this example is its rare 1/5th-second chronograph dial. The dial remains in fine original, unrestored condition, retaining an exceptionally fresh appearance and being close to mint condition. The original deep-blued hands are equally well preserved.

fig 2. An open-face silver pocket watch featuring a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, split-seconds hands, a subsidiary seconds dial, and a brass onion crown at the top. — fig 2. Rare Antique Silver Deck Watch Chronograph with 1/5th-second Split-seconds Dial – Circa 1900

Another particularly attractive detail is the rose-coloured gold-looking pin-set button and shroud, providing an unusual contrast against the silver case.

The watch retains its original Ascot Patent chronograph movement, covered by a patent dated 1897. Ascot Patent chronograph movements are seldom encountered today, making this a particularly interesting example for the collector of late 19th- and early 20th-century precision chronograph watches.

fig 3. An open-face silver pocket watch featuring a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, split-seconds hands, a subsidiary seconds dial, and a brass onion crown at the top. — fig 3. Rare Antique Silver Deck Watch Chronograph with 1/5th-second Split-seconds Dial – Circa 1900

The dial is retailer signed, with the surviving retailer information indicating London as the remaining location, suggesting that the watch was supplied through the English market.

Key Specifications

• Type: Antique pocket watch / deck watch chronograph

fig 4. An open-face silver pocket watch featuring a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, split-seconds hands, a subsidiary seconds dial, and a brass onion crown at the top. — fig 4. Rare Antique Silver Deck Watch Chronograph with 1/5th-second Split-seconds Dial – Circa 1900

• Date: Circa 1900

• Case: Continental .935 silver

• Case: Fully hallmarked throughout

• Movement: Ascot Patent chronograph

• Patent: 1897

• Chronograph dial: Rare 1/5th-second split-seconds configuration

• Dial: Original, unrestored, exceptionally well preserved

fig 5. An open-face silver pocket watch featuring a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, split-seconds hands, a subsidiary seconds dial, and a brass onion crown at the top. — fig 5. Rare Antique Silver Deck Watch Chronograph with 1/5th-second Split-seconds Dial – Circa 1900

• Hands: Original deep-blued hands

• Case feature: Rose-coloured gold-looking pin-set button and shroud

• Movement cover: Original silver dust cover

• Diameter: Approximately 59 mm, excluding stem tube and crown

fig 6. An open-face silver pocket watch featuring a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, split-seconds hands, a subsidiary seconds dial, and a brass onion crown at the top. — fig 6. Rare Antique Silver Deck Watch Chronograph with 1/5th-second Split-seconds Dial – Circa 1900

• Depth: Approximately 20 mm

• Condition: Fine original condition

Collector's Note

Large silver deck watches and precision chronographs from around 1900 are highly appealing to collectors for their combination of substantial proportions, technical interest and period craftsmanship. The combination of a .935 silver case, rare 1/5th-second split-seconds dial and Ascot Patent chronograph movement makes this an especially interesting example.