The altimeter measures 69mm diameter excluding the stem and the loop, so larger than the standard 50mm size.
It is believed that an altimeter of this size would have been used aboard an observation balloon during the first World War… the observer would have worn thick gloves so a larger altimeter would have been easier to handle.
Identical altimeters were manufactured by Thomas Watson Scientific Instruments Ltd, a London based optical and scientific instrument manufacturer and this is probably one of their pieces.
The altimeter is functioning although has not been tested for accuracy.
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declaration
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company has clarified that the Large Antique Altimeter, Poss Military Observation Balloon (LA562402) is genuinely of the period declared with the date/period of manufacture being 1910s