Austrian silver open faced verge pocket watch Circa 1805

Silver open faced keywind verge watch
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A fine Austrian silver open faced pocket watch made by Carl Wagner in Vienna, circa 1805. This watch has a mechanical key winding movement with a verge escapement and a decorated balance cock. The white enamel dial shows black Roman numerals for the hours, a winding aperture at 9 o’clock, a hand setting activation piece at 3 o’clock, an outer minute track, and blued steel spade hands. The timepiece is housed in a solid silver open faced case with an intricately engraved case back and a smooth, polished bezel. A separate winding key is included.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Signed: Carl Wagner
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Wagner was a top Viennese watchmaker during Vienna’s golden age of mechanical innovation and luxury, alongside Paris and London. His workshop crafted high quality clocks and pocket watches for nobility and the wealthy. Known for intricate, striking mechanisms, his watches from around 1805–1820 featured recognisable Viennese style elements that competed with French haute horlogerie: verge escapement with fusee and chain, ornate balance cocks with floral and Baroque engravings, and white enamel dials with sleek Roman numerals. The signature Carl Wagner in Wien on cases or dials signifies top tier early 19th century Austrian craftsmanship.