Swiss silver Jones caliber type H pocket watch Circa 1874

Silver lever watch with signed enamel dial
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A Jones caliber type H pocket watch in a very rare original case made by the International Watch Company in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, circa 1874. The case of this watch was crafted from silver and has gold elements. The white enamel dial features Roman hours, an outer minute track, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock and steel moon hands. The numbered Jones caliber type H movement features a lever escapement and is marked International Co. New York.
The dial is signed.
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Diameter: 53.5 mm
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Weight: 136 g
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Signed: Int^nl Watch Co
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The Jones caliber refers to the first series of pocket watch movements made in the late 19th century by the International Watch Company (IWC) in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

These movements are named after the American founder of IWC, Florentine Ariosto Jones, who came to Switzerland in 1868 to combine American industrial mass production techniques with Swiss craftsmanship.

The movements in question, in which the gear train is covered by a single large ¾ plate bridge instead of multiple small bridges, were produced between approximately 1872 and 1876. Another characteristic is the long, arrow shaped index hand on the balance bridge, also known as the “Jones arrow” or “Jones pointer”.

The movements were produced in various grades and sometimes signed with names such as “Romney”, “Greenleaf”, or “Craig”. There are various Jones calibers, in different sizes, designated as caliber 1 to 17.