Barraud & Co. London - Argento - 1553 - Earlier than 1850

Antique Silver Pocket Watch "Barraud & Co. London" - Serialised Movement - Working

Splendid and substantial pocket watch from a refined English manufactory, an excellent collectible piece that combines refined aesthetics with high-quality mechanics.

Movement: Manual-wind mechanical, currently functioning. The calibre features a full-plate structure with golden finish, designed to open on a hinge and flip out of the case. The plate is adorned with elegant blued steel screws and a smooth balance bridge with a wide cap jewel at the center.
The movement bears a splendid autograph with the inscription "Barraud & Co. / London" and carries the serial number "No 1553".
A precise arc-regulation scale is also present, engraved with the terms "Slow" and "Fast".

Dial: White enamel, characterized by a clean and highly legible design. The hour ring is marked with black Roman numerals, while at 6 o’clock there is an elegant small seconds subdial, with baton markers and Arabic numerals in 10s. The three hands (hours, minutes, and seconds) are blued steel and feature a distinctive lance-shaped profile.

Case: Made of solid silver. The inside of the back cover and the case are rich with historical British silver hallmarks: the lion passant (sterling silver fineness), the leopard’s head (London Assay Office mark), and the date letter, as well as the maker’s mark "WF". Inside, there are also faint hand-scratched scratches typical of old watchmakers during vintage servicing. The pendant collar also bears a small identifying mark.

Exterior design: The outer rear of the case is magnificently decorated with a dense geometric guilloché engraving, enriched at the center by a shield cartouche framed by scrollwork, left plain and free of personal monograms. The front bezel that supports the glass is fitted with a hinge for opening the front.

Condition: The watch is functioning and offered in excellent overall aesthetic condition for its era. The enamel dial appears intact, and the guilloché adornment of the back remains well raised. As with all antique mechanical timepieces, for daily ongoing use a normal servicing/cleaning by a trusted watchmaker is always recommended.