English 18K yellow gold open faced pocket watch Circa 1830

Gold open faced key winding lever watch
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A fine English 18 carat yellow gold open faced pocket watch with a detached lever escapement, made by Samuel Isaac Tobias & Co. in Liverpool, circa 1830. It features a mechanical keywound full plate fire gilded brass movement with a chain driven fusee, a jewelled train, a bimetallic compensation balance wheel, a diamond endstone, and a hand pierced and engraved gilt balance cock decorated with detailed scrollwork. This is protected beneath its original removable gilt brass dust cap. The movement plate is signed in cursive script Saml. I. Tobias & Co. / Liverpool. The gold dial has applied gold Roman numerals on a radial engine turned chapter ring, an intricately hand engraved centre decorated with floral and foliate scrollwork in relief, an engine turned subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and blued steel spade hands (hour hand bent).
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The timepiece is housed in an 18 carat yellow gold open faced case with an engine turned (guilloché) reverse back cover centring a vacant shield shaped cartouche. It is surrounded by hand chased scrollwork and floral motifs along the outer bezels, caseband, spherical pendant, and bow. It is stamped internally with English 18K gold hallmarks, case maker’s marks, and serial numbering.
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Diameter: 45 mm
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Weight: 78 g
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Signed: Saml. I. Tobias & Co., Liverpool
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Samuel Isaac Tobias & Co. was one of Liverpool’s most prominent and prolific manufacturers of high grade English lever pocket watches during the early 19th century. Liverpool watchmakers were world renowned for pairing mechanical precision such as detached lever escapements, bimetallic balance wheels for temperature compensation, and diamond endstones with opulent decorative arts. Features like the high relief chased scrollwork caseband, engine turned back cover, and richly engraved gold dial with applied Roman numerals represent the pinnacle of luxury Georgian and early Victorian horological craftsmanship.