English 18K yellow gold open faced pocket watch Circa 1820

Gold open faced key winding lever watch
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A fine English 18 carat yellow gold open faced pocket watch made by J. Johnson in Liverpool, circa 1820. This watch has a mechanical key winding movement with a chain driven fusee mechanism, a lever escapement with an Earnshaw weighted balance wheel, and an exceptionally fine, fully and intricately hand engraved brass movement plate decorated with detailed floral and foliage scrollwork, featuring blued steel screws, a prominent engraved balance cock with a regulator index marked FAST and SLOW, and signed J. Johnson, Liverpool. The white enamel dial features black Roman numerals for the hours, an outer minute track with Arabic five minute numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and spade hands (minute hand missing), signed Timekeeper.
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The timepiece is housed in a round, 18 carat solid yellow gold open faced case with a finely engine turned reverse back cover, a delicately decorated caseband, a sturdy round suspension bow, and a solid 18 carat gold inner protective cuvette stamped with the matching serial number.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Weight: 132.5 g
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Signed: J. Johnson, Liverpool
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Joseph Johnson of Liverpool was a highly esteemed English master watchmaker who operated from around 1795 until his death in 1827 from his workshop at 28 Church Street. Renowned for his craftsmanship and technical innovation, he specialized in high grade lever escapement pocket watches and precise marine chronometers. His timepieces were celebrated for their reliability and durability, making them sought after for international trade, particularly in the United States, where they were widely used by early American railroad pioneers before the domestic watch industry matured. Johnson’s movements are recognizable to collectors by their detailed, hand engraved gilt brass plates and advanced features like temperature compensated Earnshaw balance wheels. After his passing, his family maintained the prestigious Liverpool firm under the same name well into the mid 19th century.