Silver Open Face Watch
A silver open face watch offers the direct legibility of a pocket timepiece without a hinged front cover.
Silver Open Face Watch
A silver open face watch is a pocket timepiece designed without a protective lid over the dial, allowing the time to be read at a single glance. These pieces span the late Victorian era through the mid-twentieth century, encompassing both civilian timekeepers and specialised railway or military issues.
The specimens seen on this page include standard pocket watches, chronograph variants, and examples paired with albert chains or compass fobs. Origins range from English provincial watchmakers to Swiss workshops, reflecting diverse production methods across the decades.
Materials and construction
Silver forms the primary case material, frequently bearing hallmarks or Sterling designations, whilst glass protects the dial and enamel provides a smooth, white surface for painted numerals. Brass, steel, nickel, chrome and metal appear within the internal movements and secondary components.
Early examples utilise traditional fusee movements with chain-driven gear systems, whereas later twentieth-century pieces rely on standard mainspring barrels. Dial decoration varies from clean railway layouts to detailed subsidiary seconds dials and chronograph scales.
Silver Open Face Watch Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for silver open face 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.
Distinctions in quality
The calibre of a silver open face watch rests largely upon the fineness and complexity of its movement, ranging from standard mass-produced cylinders to adjusted lever escapements with multiple jewels. Hand-finished English fusee mechanisms and Swiss chronographs represent higher tiers of watchmaking skill.
Case weight, the crispness of hallmarks, and the preservation of the enamel dial without hairline fractures also determine the standing of an individual piece. Retaining original matched chains or fitted boxes adds to the integrity of the surviving object.
Kendal & Dent·J W Benson·Guinand·Camerer Cuss·Waltham·Tavannes·Cyma·Octava·Silvana·Stauffer·Omega·Hebdomas·J G Graves·Thommen
The Silver Open Face Watch Glossary
- Fusee
- A conical pulley used in older pocket watches to equalise the torque of the mainspring as it unwinds. This mechanism ensures more consistent timekeeping throughout the duration of the wind.
- Chronograph
- A watch equipped with a secondary independent sweep second hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero. It allows the measurement of elapsed time intervals.
- Albert chain
- A short length of chain attached to a pocket watch, designed to secure the timepiece to a waistcoat buttonhole. It often supports ancillary items such as fobs or compasses.
- Enamel
- A glassy substance fused to a metal dial substrate through high-temperature firing. It creates a durable, glossy white surface that resists tarnishing.
- Hallmark
- An official stamp applied to precious metals indicating purity, origin and assay office. On these pieces, it confirms the silver standard of the case.
Silver Open Face Watch: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I wind a silver open face watch?
Most pieces require turning the crown clockwise until firm resistance indicates a full mainspring. Key-wound specimens utilise a separate metal key applied to a square arbor accessed via the inner dust cover.
Care should be taken not to overwind the mechanism, as this places undue strain on the internal spring. Regular, gentle winding at a consistent time of day preserves the longevity of the movement.
How can I date my pocket watch?
Dating relies primarily upon matching case hallmarks to official assay office date letters and consulting movement serial numbers against manufacturer records. Stylistic details such as dial typography and hand shapes offer secondary clues.
Railways and military contracts often stamp specific issue numbers or service marks directly onto the case back or movement plates, providing a narrower window of origin.
Can I wear a pocket watch daily?
Daily wear is entirely practical provided the timepiece receives routine mechanical servicing and careful handling. Securing the watch properly with an albert chain prevents accidental drops.
Exposure to strong magnetic fields and moisture should be avoided, as vintage movements lack modern anti-magnetic and waterproof seals. Storing the piece in a soft pouch when not worn protects the silver case from surface scratches.