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Antique Pocket Watch Type Slide Rule/calculator, C1890
Sold by The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
sold SA1234243
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company

The Vintage Wrist Watch Company

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2011
Browse dealers 262 items
  • About Us
    Specialists in antique and vintage wrist watches and pocket watches
Id #SA1234243
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Antique Pocket Watch Type Slide Rule/calculator, C1890

19th century
Sold 28 October 2026 · The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
This “Antique Pocket Watch Type Slide Rule/calculator, C1890” found a buyer.

It was listed by The Vintage Wrist Watch Company. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

Description

Antique pocket watch type slide rule/calculator, c1890

The Calculigraphe chronograph was made in Paris at the end of the 19th Century by Henri Chatelain.

It solves multiplication, divisions, fractions, squares and square roots, cube and cube roots, miscellaneous roots and power, logarithms, areas of circles, sines, cosines, and tangent of angles.

The circular slide rule closely follows the design of the Boucher Calculator, which was introduced in 1876 and is thought to have been the first commercialized circular slide rule.

One dial is fixed and has four circles represent two scales, the outermost circle is a scale of equal parts, and the inner three circles are separate sections of cubic root of a number specified by the pointer on the opposite side.

The dial on the other side of the calculator can be rotated by turning the crown, on which there are three different scales on four circles, the outmost circle is a scale of logarithms of sines of angles, the second one is the ordinary logarithmic scale, and the inner two circles are the square roots of the number on the logarithmic scale. There is a fixed pointer engraved on the glass cover, and the movable pointer can be rotated by pressing down the small side button while turning the crown.

The calculator is in good condition and working well. A little brown marking around some of the screws but not too noticeable to the naked eye. Original blued steel hands.

The case is nickel plated, there is some wear to the sides.

The calculator has a glass lens on each side, both in good condition, one has a 5mm mark but not very noticeable at all.

52mm diameter excluding the crown and the button.

The watch comes in a new presentation box.

Date of Manufacture

The Vintage Wrist Watch Company has dated this Circular Pocket Slide Rule to the 1890s.

Independent Date Check ID 09639701
Dealer's Item Date1890s
Sellingantiques Date1890s
Sellingantiques agingItem 115-140 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1890s:
English text Made in France: export marking required from the early 1890s onward.
Nickel plating worn through to brass on the rims: long handling and pocket use.
Fluted winding crown and suspended bow: standard pocket-watch casing of the late nineteenth century.
Finely tapered blued-steel hands: precision horological work prior to modern mass stamping.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1234243
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
Antique pocket watch type slide rule/calculator, c1890

The Calculigraphe chronograph was made in Paris at the end of the 19th Century by Henri Chatelain.

“
It solves multiplication, divisions, fractions, squares and square roots, cube and cube roots, miscellaneous roots and power, logarithms, areas of circles, sines, cosines, and tangent of angles.
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
fig 1. A pocket watch styled mechanical circular slide rule with a nickel case, white dial featuring concentric scales, and text reading Calculigraphe H.C. Paris.
fig 1. Antique Pocket Watch Type Slide Rule/calculator, C1890

The circular slide rule closely follows the design of the Boucher Calculator, which was introduced in 1876 and is thought to have been the first commercialized circular slide rule.

One dial is fixed and has four circles represent two scales, the outermost circle is a scale of equal parts, and the inner three circles are separate sections of cubic root of a number specified by the pointer on the opposite side.

fig 2. A pocket watch styled mechanical circular slide rule with a nickel case, white dial featuring concentric scales, and text reading Calculigraphe H.C. Paris.
fig 2. Antique Pocket Watch Type Slide Rule/calculator, C1890

The dial on the other side of the calculator can be rotated by turning the crown, on which there are three different scales on four circles, the outmost circle is a scale of logarithms of sines of angles, the second one is the ordinary logarithmic scale, and the inner two circles are the square roots of the number on the logarithmic scale. There is a fixed pointer engraved on the glass cover, and the movable pointer can be rotated by pressing down the small side button while turning the crown.

The calculator is in good condition and working well. A little brown marking around some of the screws but not too noticeable to the naked eye. Original blued steel hands.

The case is nickel plated, there is some wear to the sides.

The calculator has a glass lens on each side, both in good condition, one has a 5mm mark but not very noticeable at all.

52mm diameter excluding the crown and the button.

The watch comes in a new presentation box.

Date of Manufacture

The Vintage Wrist Watch Company has dated this Circular Pocket Slide Rule to the 1890s.

Independent Date Report ID 09639701
Dealer's Item Date1890s
Sellingantiques dating1890s
Sellingantiques agingItem 115-140 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1890s:
English text Made in France: export marking required from the early 1890s onward.
Nickel plating worn through to brass on the rims: long handling and pocket use.
Fluted winding crown and suspended bow: standard pocket-watch casing of the late nineteenth century.
Finely tapered blued-steel hands: precision horological work prior to modern mass stamping.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1234243
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

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A pocket watch styled mechanical circular slide rule with a nickel case, white dial featuring concentric scales, and text reading Calculigraphe H.C. Paris. SOLD28 OCT 26
1 / 3
Archive I A pocket watch styled mechanical circular slide rule with a nickel case, white dial featuring concentric scales, and text reading Calculigraphe H.C. Paris. SOLD28 OCT 26

Antique Pocket Watch Type Slide Rule/calculator, C1890

Archive II A pocket watch styled mechanical circular slide rule with a nickel case, white dial featuring concentric scales, and text reading Calculigraphe H.C. Paris. View II
Archive III A pocket watch styled mechanical circular slide rule with a nickel case, white dial featuring concentric scales, and text reading Calculigraphe H.C. Paris. View III
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 01386 750 238
Location
Worcestershire
United Kingdom
Verified Since Jul 2011
Items For Sale 262
Items Sold 6,717
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
Verified Since Jul 2011
View Dealer Info
Location: Worcestershire, United Kingdom
Verified
Jul 2011
For Sale
262
Sold
6,717
A pocket watch styled mechanical circular slide rule with a nickel case, white dial featuring concentric scales, and text reading Calculigraphe H.C. Paris.
Antique pocket watch type slide rule/calculator, c1890
Ref: SA1234243
A pocket watch styled mechanical circular slide rule with a nickel case, white dial featuring concentric scales, and text reading Calculigraphe H.C. Paris.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Archival Detail
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.
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.
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.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectScientific Instruments
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian Industrial
  • MaterialNickel, Glass, Steel
  • ColourSilver
  • MotifsPocket watch casing, Concentric logarithmic scales, Central indicator hand, Fluted winding crown

This Victorian Industrial scientific instrument is an 1890 pocket watch type slide rule calculator, made in silver nickel-plated metal with a white dial and original blued steel hands. The circular casing features a fluted winding crown, a suspension ring loop, concentric logarithmic scales, a glass lens, and a central indicator hand with text reading Calculigraphe H.C. Paris. The instrument measures 52 mm in diameter excluding the crown and button, and displays minor wear to the sides of the case along with a small brown mark on the dial. It serves as an engaging decorative display piece or desk accessory for an office desk in a gentleman's library, study, or home library. Designed to solve mathematical functions including multiplication, division, squares, roots, logarithms, and trigonometric angles, the calculator operates via a rotating dial and mechanical pointer system. The nickel-plated metal reflects light from the silver case and winding crown, while the white dial provides contrast against the fine black scale markings and blue steel hands. The piece rests flat on a desk or shelf surface, bringing a historical scientific aesthetic to contemporary interiors.

A pocket watch style circular slide rule is a compact mechanical calculation device developed in the late 19th century, designed to perform logarithmic calculations using concentric rotating scales housed within a pocket watch casing.

Late Victorian circular slide rules were commonly constructed with nickel-plated brass or sterling silver pocket watch cases, featuring paper or enamelled dials, protective glass crystals, and steel indicator hands.

Authentic pieces generally exhibit makers marks or patents inscribed on the dial, precisely printed or engraved concentric scales, fine mechanical tolerances, and natural patina or light oxidisation on metallic components.

These compact technical instruments are often styled on an office desk, arranged within a glass display cloche, or incorporated into a shelf display among antique leather-bound books and metallic desktop curios.

Wipe the metal casing gently with a soft microfibre cloth to remove fingerprints, avoid abrasive polishing compounds, and store the instrument in a dry environment to prevent dial foxing and corrosion.
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