Antique Subsidiary Dial Watch
An antique subsidiary dial watch brings precision pocket timekeeping to your hand, valued for its separate seconds register.
Antique Subsidiary Dial Watch
An antique subsidiary dial watch is a traditional pocket timepiece featuring a secondary small dial, usually positioned at the six o'clock mark, dedicated solely to tracking seconds. These mechanical pieces span from the Victorian period through the Edwardian era into the Art Deco and 1940s military periods.
The selections you encounter on this page range from standard pocket watches to half hunters and full hunters, alongside related items like a travel clock. Materials utilised across these pieces include silver, gold plate, steel, nickel, metal, and brass.
Makers and origins represented include Cyma, Waltham, Equity Watch Co Boston, Record, Cambridge, Urania, Horos, Revue, Bravingtons Renown, and Meyer & Studeli, with some pieces bearing specific geographical or institutional connections such as Kings Lynn, Stonehaven, and police interest.
What varies in quality
The grade of materials used for the case and movement influences the standing of each piece, moving from standard brass and base metals up to solid silver and gold plate.
The reputation of the maker, from established houses like Waltham and Cyma to regional retailers, plays a significant part in the character of the watch.
Antique Subsidiary Dial Watch Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for subsidiary dial watch among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings feature periods spanning the Victorian era, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940s military.
Cyma·Waltham·Equity Watch Co Boston·Record·Urania·Horos·Revue·Bravingtons Renown·Meyer & Studeli
The Antique Subsidiary Dial Watch Glossary
- Subsidiary dial
- A smaller secondary dial on the watch face, typically used for tracking seconds independently of the main hour and minute hands.
- Half hunter
- A pocket watch case featuring a small glass or open circle in the outer cover, allowing the time to be read without opening the case.
- Full hunter
- A pocket watch with a solid protective metal outer cover that springs open via a push-piece to reveal the dial.
- Enamel
- A smooth, glossy substance fused to the dial surface under high heat, providing a crisp background for painted numerals.
Antique Subsidiary Dial Watch: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a subsidiary dial on a watch?
A subsidiary dial is a small secondary circle set into the main watch face, dedicated to measuring seconds.
This layout separates the main timekeeping hands from the seconds indicator for clarity.
What materials were used for these watches?
Casings are constructed from a variety of substances including silver, gold plate, steel, nickel, metal, and brass.
Dials typically feature enamel surfaces protected by glass covers.
How do I identify the period of a pocket watch?
Dating relies on stylistic clues, case hallmarks, and the known operational years of makers like Waltham or Cyma.
Pieces span from Victorian examples through early twentieth-century designs to 1940s military issues.