
Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
Large Silver Swiss Centre Seconds Chronograph, 1894
- Maker / attribution
- Unrecorded in source
- Date
- 1894
- Historical period
- Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Pocket watch
- Materials / technique
- silver
- Dealer
- WatchMuseum.org shop
- Stock no.
- Product 6320
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 6320)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Large Silver Swiss Centre Seconds Chronograph (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 6320), this is a pocket watch, made in Switzerland, dated 1894. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: silver. The record is illustrated with 4 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop
The “Large Silver Swiss Centre Seconds Chronograph – 1894” is a stunning testament to the artistry and precision of late 19th-century Swiss watchmaking. This remarkable timepiece is encased in an elegant English silver open face case, which not only enhances its visual appeal but also speaks to the era’s sophisticated design sensibilities. At its heart lies a keywind movement, distinguished by a luxurious gilt three-quarter plate design with a going barrel, ensuring exceptional precision and reliability. The craftsmanship is further evidenced by the intricately engraved cock and polished steel regulator, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail that defines this chronograph. The compensation balance, paired with a blue steel overcoil hairspring, guarantees accurate timekeeping, while the white enamel dial, adorned with Roman numerals, a striking blue steel centre seconds hand, and elegant gilt hands, exudes a timeless sophistication. The large English plain silver open face case is thoughtfully designed with a slide in the band, allowing for convenient stopping of the watch as needed. The plain back, featuring a vacant oval cartouche, is complemented by a silver cuvette that facilitates winding and setting. Notably, the maker’s mark “LJ” is proudly displayed in a rectangle, marking its authenticity. Signed Swiss and hallmarked in Birmingham, this exquisite chronograph, with a diameter of 61 mm, crafted in 1894, remains in good condition, encapsulating the timeless elegance and unrivaled precision of Swiss horology. This exquisite timepiece is a remarkable Swiss chronograph from the late 19th century. It features a unique English silver open face case, adding to its allure. The keywind movement showcases a luxurious gilt three quarter plate design with a going barrel, providing exceptional precision. Its engraved cock and polished steel regulator demonstrate the craftsmanship and attention to detail put into this timepiece. The compensation balance with a blue steel overcoil hairspring ensures accurate timekeeping. The white enamel dial boasts Roman numerals, a centre seconds hand in blue steel, and elegant gilt hands, adding a touch of sophistication. The large English plain silver open face case includes a slide in the band for convenience, allowing you to stop the watch when needed. The plain back features a vacant oval cartouche, accompanied by a silver cuvette that enables winding and setting. Look out for the maker’s mark, “LJ,” displayed in a rectangle. This exquisite Swiss chronograph encapsulates both timeless elegance and unrivaled precision. Signed Swiss Hallmarked Birmingham Date of Manufacture: 1894 Diameter: 61 mm Condition: Good
Historical context
Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
American interchangeable-parts manufacture; railroad time standards; Swiss and German factory systems.
Machine production with interchangeable parts, pioneered by Waltham (1850s) and adopted by Elgin, Longines, Omega and others, made reliable lever watches widely affordable. Keyless winding became standard, railroad watch standards were introduced (1890s), and Swiss and American industries competed globally.
Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Precision & Scientific Horology
Atlas type guide
Chronographs and split-seconds watches
A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.
Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.
What to look for
- Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
- Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
- Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
- Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).
Dating clues
- Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
- Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
- Automatic chronographs: from 1969.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph
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