Pocket Watch Case

Here is your chance to acquire a rare precision watch for civil or military use, s pecially designed and manufactured for exploration and surveying in hostile climes. This is a Royal Geographical Society pattern explorers watch of the b est quality. It retains the original three tier mahogany box with the original numbered plaque. The diameter of the watch is 57 mm and the box 12.7 x 9.5 x 6 cms. With its original key, the box is in excellent condition with no marks or bruising and appears to have had little use. The silver case is in its original state as found and has not been shined up. Someone has nibbled at the edge with a knife (see picture) but this could be polished out. The movement runs well and keeps time but may need cleaning and adjustment. Such watches were employed during the various expeditions and explorations at the time of the expansion of the British Empire in the nineteenth century. This is a late example with a silver case bearing the hallmarks for 1913-14. A number were produced from around during the last quarter of the nineteenth century towards the verge of WW1 both in silver and (extremely rarely) in gold and with different technical specifications depending on their particular requirements. The case is of heavy gauge as they always are, but unusually the movement here is of the highest grade which is not always the case. They were designed with a special dust proof case in which the milled back and bezel are screwed on, both with leather gaskets to seal off dust or moisture. In addition, the winding crown was covered with a screwed on cap connected with a safety chain. In these’explorers’ watches there was never any provision for setting the hands after the case was sealed as this would enable ingress of water, dirt etc. Hence the high precision free sprung movement which would have been adjusted to time and then sealed. It must have been assumed that the timekeeping would have a perfectly accurate rate for long periods. The fine enamel dial is surmounted by bold blued steel hands with sunken subsidiaries for seconds and state of wind (or’Up and Down’) There is an almost invisible hairline crack at 6 and a small chip at the very edge, however this is not visible when the bezel is screwed down. The’half plate’ movement was probably supplied by Usher & Cole (movement maker stamped JP for Joseph Prest) and has a reverse fusee with keyless winding. The detached lever escapement is fully jewelled with cap jewels and a diamond endstone. Also a compensation balance fitted with a free sprung balance spring with a single overcoil. Although the highest precision watches of the period had a chronometer detent escapement, these were more for observatory use than for exploration. So they would have been considered less robust in such watches used for exploration which could survive being jarred or jolted. I use a shipper who gives an efficient and excellent service, they will professionally pack and arrange for dispatch via themselves or a recognized courier. POTENTIAL BUYERS OVERSEAS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT IMPORT DUTY ON THIS ITEM MAY HAVE TO BE PAID. I WILL NOT SEND OVERSEAS. BY REGULAR POSTAL SERVICE. The item “RARE POCKET WATCH for EXPLORERS by BLOCKLEY SPECIAL CASE & FITTED BOX H. M. 1913″ is in sale since Saturday, July 25, 2020. This item is in the category “Jewellery & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Watches\Pocket Watches”. The seller is “*cadenza*” and is located in Greater London. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Number of Jewels: Not Applicable
• Water Resistance: Not Water Resistant
• Model: Blockley
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
• Department: Men
• Style: Military
• Case Material: Silver
• Escapement Type: Lever
• Dial Style: 12-Hour Dial
• Movement: Mechanical (Hand-winding)
• Type: Pocket Watch
• Features: Enamelled Dial
• Dial Colour: White
• Year Manufactured: 1910-1919
• Closure: Open Face
• Display: Analog
• Brand: Unbranded
• Customised: No