This is a little antique early Victorian pocket watch holder. It would be something that you would use to store your pocket watch on your bedside table or to keep your watch safe when travelling.
The lid has a glazed aperture so that you can still see the face of your watch with the box lid closed - and it has a lovely little turned rim section around the glass. A nice mark of quality. It is much more unusual to find a watch box with its original bevelled glass window built into the lid - with such a fine quality to the moulding. It looks like a picture frame to set off a special timepiece.
The box lid is hinged with a fine brass piano hinge along the back - and this raises up easily with a spring action. The interior section moves up on a little angled easel stand and when the lid is open - it stays at a 45-degree angle. When your watch is placed inside the fitted case interior you can easily see it on your bedside table when you are in bed.
Below the angled watch holder section - there is a nice space for you to pop your watch chain below and to keep it safe.
The watch holder is made of walnut and the interior has a blue velvet lining material in the circular area and also in the base area for the chain. The lining is original to the box.
The box is closed with a little brass clasp at the front - the lock is a wide strap with a little hole in the middle - this slots over a little pin section - this keeps the box firmly closed when it is being moved about. There are also four little brass pin feet (original to the box) on the base - so that the wood of the box does not get scuffed when you are putting it down at night. There is a lovely antique patina to the wood and the graining is just delightful.
I have taken some images with an old pocket watch inside. Please note that THE WATCH IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS ITEM - it is just the little wooden travelling case or walnut box which is on sale here.
Dimensions: The length is 4 inches. The width is 3 1/4 inches and the height (closed) is 1 3/4 inches.
The diameter of the circular interior fitted section inside is 2 inches. The length for a watch including the ring would be 2 5/8 inches.
The box is in excellent condition with no damage. I really unusually and lovely item for a collector of pocket watches. It is certainly beautifully made. Please look carefully at all my images as these form part of my description. Given the quality, condition and rarity of one with a window on the lid - my price for this is certainly a fair one.
UK Postage - would cost £4.95 with the Royal Mail Recorded Post. This would be applied to your order at checkout.