English 18K yellow gold open faced pocket watch Circa 1830

Gold open faced key winding lever watch
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A fine and exceptionally decorative English 18 carat yellow gold open faced pocket watch made by H. Pinninton in Liverpool, circa 1830. It features a mechanical key winding full plate fire gilded brass movement with a chain driven fusee, a lever escapement, jewelled pivots, a mono metallic balance wheel, a bimetallic regulator curb, and a hand pierced and engraved gilt balance cock decorated with floral scrollwork centring a diamond endstone. The movement has a gilt brass dust cover, with the movement plate signed H. PINNINTON / LIVERPOOL. The solid gold engine turned dial has applied gold Roman numerals for the hours, a central medallion hand engraved with a landscape scene featuring a medieval castle, a tricolour chased outer floral border, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and blued steel spade hands.
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The timepiece is housed in a round, three body, 18 carat solid yellow gold open faced case with a plain, polished reverse back cover fitted with an engraved gold winding aperture grommet, a spherical pendant, and a circular suspension bow. It is stamped internally with English 18K gold hallmarks and matching serial number.
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Diameter: 46 mm
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Weight: 97 g
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Signed: H. Pinninton, Liverpool
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H. Pinninton was a skilled watchmaker operating in Liverpool during the early 19th century, a golden era when the port city was a premier global hub for precision horological innovation and decorative arts. English presentation pocket watches with pictorial dials—specifically romantic, hand engraved architectural scenes like castles framed by tricoloured gold floral appliques—were labour intensive luxury items reserved for wealthy clientele. Mechanically, the watch pairs a robust chain driven fusee with a bimetallic curb on the balance spring to compensate for temperature fluctuations and ensure accurate timekeeping. Weighing 97 grams and retaining matching serial numbers on both the movement and solid 18K gold case, this timepiece is a magnificent, pristine example of late Georgian / early Victorian English watchmaking.