Pocket Watch 1928 Menston Mental Hospital Inscription 7 Jewel Swiss FWO

Gentleman's highly impressive original Swiss 7 jewel pocket watch with beautiful ivory porcelain dial in a chunky 14 size, 9ct rose gold (fully hallmarked) swing out case with fabulous Menston Mental Hospital (Yorkshire) inscription. Looks to have been much loved and very well taken care of - her condition certainly reflects this. Full working order and is an excellent timekeeper (within +2/-2 minutes per 24 hours) with plenty of room on the regulator (which is sat correctly in the central position) for any further fine tuning. Fully checked, serviced by my highly experienced watchmaker and is guaranteed to be 100% authentic - a timepiece to grace any collection! Dial:- Impressive and distinctive, high gloss ivory coloured porcelain dial in mint condition - absolutely hairlines, marks or nibbles. Clearly stamped in black arched script to base of sub dial; Swiss Made. Beautifully scrolled black Arabic numbers (note the lovely little arrow tip to number 4) with black minute markers, bolder black 5 minute markers and diamond shaped 15 minute markers to chapter ring. Large sub dial with black Arabic numbers and black seconds chapters. Finely cut, original bright blued steel spade and whip hands and blued steel arrow tip seconds hand all in lovely straight order. Original thick bevel edge, slightly domed glass (not acrylic) in clear and bright condition which is free from any surface scratches or marks. Case:- The highly polished chunky 9ct rose gold swing out case (4.7cm diameter / 6.5cm from top of bow to base is heavy (has a pleasing solid feel in the hand and total watch weight is 85.8 grams), robust and in wonderful condition (please excuse the reflections/dark shadows in the pictures, was extremely difficult to photograph) - absolutely no indentations or wear and just a few extremely light and fine little (micro) overall surface scratches commensurate with age and use in her 97 years service (looks to have had very little if any use, perhaps only high days and holidays). All covers (both inside and out) still retain their original, high gloss, mirror finish. The front bezel is hinged at the 6 position, opens correctly to exactly 90 degrees closing tightly with a very reassuring click. Clearly hallmarked to the inside with an oblong shaped cartouche; 9 .375. The back cover is beautifully inscribed in very fancy and totally un-worn script; Presented To C.E. Harrison By The Staff Of Menston Mental Hospital As A Token Of Esteem After 26 Years Service 20. 3. 29 (Menston Mental Hospital was located near Menston in West Yorkshire. It opened in 1888 and was originally named; West Riding Pauper & Lunatic Asylum). Clearly hallmarked to the inside (within different shaped, large recessed cartouches); 9 (9ct gold), Anchor (Birmingham assay) and fancy scrolled capital letter D - dating to 1928. Also stamped; Dennison Watch Case Co Ltd, hallmarked again; .375, A.L.D (Aaron Lufkin Dennison - one of the founding Fathers of the Waltham Watch Co., who moved to England to establish the Dennison Watch Case Company, they made cases for all the leading watch manufacturers of the era including Rolex and Omega) and is numbered; 433834 S - the S is the first letter of the surname of the Goldsmith at the Dennison factory who pinned the case joints, I have been able to identify him - Albert Spears. Also carries a service mark from my long standing watch repairer dated; 3/25 (March 2025). Still retains the original highly polished nickel dust cover (press fit) which is correctly numbered as per the case; 433834 and is clearly stamped; Solid Nickel Movement:- The stem wound and set 7 ruby jewelled 3/4 plate lever movement (accessed from the case by opening the front bezel and swinging the hinged movement outwards) is in superb clean and bright order and as mentioned above has just been checked/serviced by my highly experienced watch maker. Carries the most wonderful subtle wavy engine turning to the top plates - the detail of which remains as crisp and clear today as the day they were made. Has a compensated balance wheel with brass balance screws and two brass meantime screws (for precision timing), steel balance spring which is true, in the round and 'breathing' well, ruby end stone, ruby pallet jewels, attractive 'swirl' engine turning to the mainspring and ratchet barrel covers and original matching steel case screws. Stamped clearly on the top plates in arched script; Swiss Made. Balance action is absolutely tremendous in all positions (could not be any better) and is keeping excellent time with a sure, strong positive action - runs like a train. Winds extremely smoothly and fully (do not be afraid to fully wind, over-winding is the greatest horological myth!) Hand set operates smoothly and correctly - the pull up/push down action is very firm and true. Hallmarked to the front of the stem within totally un-rubbed, recessed cartouches; 9 .375. Lovely original large totally un-worn rose gold 'onion' crown and original big firm totally un-worn Dennison safety bow (looks to have never been carried on a watch chain) which is again clearly hallmarked to the front; 9 .375 and stamped; Dq - Dennison Quality. Appraisal;- A very handsome and highly impressive Gentleman's Swiss timepiece which has an interesting provenance and as mentioned earlier was much loved and proudly cared for by the original owner - she will make a perfect gift and a heirloom to be enjoyed by your future generations! Ready to wear or display. Will be delivered in a new presentation box and be very securely and safely packed. I always have a good selection of antique/vintage rolled gold watch chains listed and in stock which will compliment this watch well - please contact me if you have any specific requirements. If you would like to discuss this watch with me over the telephone; Sarah Dunkley (9am - 5pm, Mon - Fri) please click on the 'Contact Details' at the bottom of the listing. ***Will Ship Worldwide*** UK - Free! Royal Mail Next Day Signed For Delivery