Gunmetal Open-Face Chronograph Pocket Watch from Sewill of Liverpool, 1910

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A contrasting combination of dark gunmetal and warm gilt metal defines this open-face chronograph pocket watch. Retailed by the historic … Read more A contrasting combination of dark gunmetal and warm gilt metal defines this open-face chronograph pocket watch. Retailed by the historic maritime firm Sewill of Liverpool, the timepiece measures 51 mm in diameter and pairs an industrial blackened case with a gilt bezel, fluted onion winding crown, top bow and chronograph pusher. The crisp white enamel dial features bold black Roman hour numerals bordered by an outer chapter track calibrated for fifths of a second. Two inset subsidiary dials provide a 30-minute elapsed counter beneath 12 o'clock and running constant seconds above 6 o'clock. Time is indicated by blued steel spade hands alongside a slender flyback central seconds hand. The dial is signed ""Sewill, Liverpool"" across the centre and marked ""Swiss Made"" below the six. Housed beneath a protective gunmetal cuvette, the Swiss-made keyless movement dates to circa 1910. It is built on a frosted gilt three-quarter plate layout with a going barrel and exposed, finely grained steel flyback chronograph levers. The regulating assembly comprises an uncut bimetallic balance, overcoil hairspring, polished index regulator, and club-foot lever escapement. The chronograph functions operate via the case button at one o'clock to start, stop and reset the sweep hand, and the movement is reported to be in full working order. Founded in 1839, Joseph Sewill of Liverpool built an international reputation as a maker of high-precision marine chronometers and navigational instruments, regularly supplying the British Admiralty. Alongside their naval work, the business retailed high-grade Swiss pocket watches to civilian customers before the company was wound up in 2003. See less