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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Automaton verge pocket watch

Automaton Verge Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This late 18th-century automaton verge pocket watch features a polychrome enamel dial depicting the Battle of Arcola. The dial incorporates a sub-dial with Arabic numerals and blued steel hands, while the lower section depicts Napoleon Bonaparte on horseback crossing a bridge. A semicircular aperture in the enamel contains a rotating disc linked to the watch movement, which creates motion as the watch operates. An inscription in German, 'Bataille bei Arcola gewonnen von Bonaparte – d16ten Novbr 1795', appears on the dial. The watch is housed in a silver pair case, accompanied by a matching pendant and bow. The movement is a gilt full-plate fusee type with a verge escapement. The balance cock is pierced and engraved, set with an endstone. The movement plate is signed 'G. Masterman London' and bears a serial number. The auction description reports the watch is in running condition.

View of the enamel dial showing the Battle of Arcola scene with the automaton aperture and the movement plate signed by G. Masterman.
View of the enamel dial showing the Battle of Arcola scene with the automaton aperture and the movement plate signed by G. Masterman. — Zamanito / Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Automaton verge pocket watch
Maker / attribution
G. Masterman
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
late 18th century
Source-reported place
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
14772

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Automaton

The timepiece features a white enamel dial with a secondary offset dial for timekeeping, displaying Arabic numerals and fitted with blued steel hands. The remaining space on the dial is decorated with a miniature enamel painting of the Battle of Arcola, illustrating Napoleon Bonaparte on a black horse and military forces engaged in artillery fire.

A semicircular aperture integrated into the bridge of the painted scene reveals a rotating disc connected to the movement. This mechanism allows the painted figures to move while the watch is functioning, intended to mimic the action of cavalry crossing the bridge. The dial also carries an inscription detailing the battle and date.

Evidence for this section
  • “صفحه ساعت از جنس مینای سفید با یک صفحه فرعی کوچک برای نمایش زمان شامل ارقام عربی و عقربه‌های فولادی آبی‌رنگ ساخته شده است.”
  • “در میانه پل، یک برش نیم‌دایره‌ای تعبیه شده که دیسک دوار متصل به سازوکار ساعت را نمایان می‌سازد؛ با کارکرد ساعت، سوارکاران نقاشی‌شده روی دیسک به چرخش درآمده”

Movement and Escapement

The watch is powered by a gilt full-plate movement equipped with a fusee mechanism. The balance cock is finished with pierced, manual engravings and features an endstone set into a polished steel base. The movement includes a three-armed gilt balance wheel with a blued steel hairspring.

Regulation of the watch is managed via a silver disc with a gilt indicator located on the main plate. The plate is inscribed with the signature of G. Masterman of London and a serial number, consistent with the construction of late 18th-century English verge timepieces.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت از نوع فول‌پلیت طلااندود (Gilt full plate) مجهز به زنجیر فیوزه (Fusee) است.”
  • “خروسک تعادل (Bridge cock) آن با ظرافت مشبک‌کاری و حکاکی شده و ممتد با نگین انتهایی درون بستر پولیش‌خورده فولادی قرار دارد.”
  • “روی پلیت موتور نام G. Masterman London و شماره سریال به صورت دست‌نویس حکاکی شده است.”

Case and Condition

The watch is encased in a pair case manufactured from silver, including a matching silver pendant and bow. The cases are described as being correctly fitted to each other. The inner case contains silver hallmarks, though the auction description reports that these markings are faint or obscured by wear.

The auction description reports the watch is currently in running condition and that the automaton disc operates as intended.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه ساعت از نوع قاب دوبل نقره (Pair case) بوده و به همراه آویز و حلقه نقره‌ای تطبیق‌یافته عرضه شده است”
  • “قاب داخلی حاوی نشان‌های اصالت (Hallmarks) کم‌رنگ و محوشده نقره است.”
  • “این ساعت در وضعیت کارکرد («as the watch runs») قرار دارد و دیسک متحرک آن در حین چرخش فعال می‌شود.”

Open research questions

  • What is the full provenance of the Masterman signature in relation to known late 18th-century London workshops?
  • Can the date of the enamel painting be verified as contemporaneous with the watch movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Automaton Verge Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerG. Masterman“نام G. Masterman London”
Serial14772“شماره سریال به صورت دست‌نویس حکاکی شده است”
Case materialSilver“بدنه ساعت از نوع قاب دوبل نقره (Pair case) بوده”
Dial featuresPolychrome enamel scene of the Battle of Arcola“بازنمایی رویداد نظامی نبرد آرکولا (Battle of Arcola) بر روی صفحه با هنر میناکاری چندرنگ (پلی‌کروم) است.”
Dial inscriptionBataille bei Arcola gewonnen von Bonaparte – d16ten Novbr 1795“عبارت آلمانی «Bataille bei Arcola gewonnen von Bonaparte – d16ten Novbr 1795» درج شده است.”
Condition statusRunning“این ساعت در وضعیت کارکرد («as the watch runs») قرار دارد”

Visible details

  • Rotating automaton disc showing a horseman within the enamel dial scene
  • Engraved and pierced balance cock on the gilt movement plate
  • Silver pair case construction
  • Blue steel hands and Arabic numeral sub-dial

Research qualifications

  • The auction description notes hallmarks on the inner case are faint and obscured
  • The auction house recommends independent verification of the historical correspondence of the dial inscription and date
  • Condition of fusee chain and internal components remains unverified by third party

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Rare Napoleonic Automaton Verge

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 3537137188

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.