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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter pocket watch

Cade & Robinson Silver Hunter Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This gents silver hunter pocket watch, produced by the London-based firm Cade & Robinson, dates to circa 1813. The watch, identified by the maker’s mark and the serial number 4849 engraved on the back plate, features a white enamel dial with roman numerals. The movement is key-wound and utilizes a fusee and chain mechanism alongside a verge escapement with a steel scape wheel. The hunter case bears London hallmarks corresponding to the 1813-1814 period, as well as the maker's initials 'IG'. An inner case inscription documents that the watch was presented to William Ballingall of the ship Superb in April 1822 by a Mr. Oswald of Cavens. The item is held within the collection of Museums Victoria, identified by the registration number ST 24754.

Silver hunter pocket watch, registration number 24754, with the hunter cover open.
Silver hunter pocket watch, registration number 24754, with the hunter cover open. — Museums Victoria. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.museumsvictoria.com.au
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Cade & Robinson
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
ST 24754
Source-reported date
circa 1813
Source-reported place
England
Source-reported serial
4849

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

Case and Dial

The watch is housed in a silver hunter case, providing a protective metal cover over the dial. The dial itself is composed of white enamel and features black Roman numerals for hour indication. A notable physical feature of the case design is the detachable cover, which allows the user to inspect the movement. This cover includes a specific cut-away section that provides visibility of the internal jewel, decorative engraving, and the slow-to-fast adjustment mechanism.

The silver casing is verified by the inclusion of London hallmarks corresponding to the 1813-1814 period, specifically incorporating the lion, crowned leopard, and a capital 's'.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial has roman numerals. Detachable cover is cut away to show jewel, engraving, and slow to fast adjustment.”
  • “Silver hunter case has London hallmark for 1813-1814 (lion, crowned leopard, capital s), and letters 'IG'.”

Movement and Mechanism

Power is transmitted through a fusee and chain, which was designed to equalize the torque exerted by the mainspring. The escapement is of the verge type, a traditional arrangement using a steel scape wheel to regulate the movement.

This allows for manual regulation of the watch's rate via a clearly marked slow-to-fast adjustment lever. The serial number 4849 and the maker's signature are prominently displayed on the movement's back plate.

Evidence for this section
  • “Key wound spring; verge escapement. Fusee and chain. Steel scape wheel.”
  • “Back plate is marked 'Cade & Robinson, London, no 4849'.”

Provenance and Documentation

The historical context of the watch is established by an inscription found on the inner case. It records that the object was a gift presented to William Ballingall of the ship 'Superb' in April 1822. The donor was identified as Mr. Oswald of Cavens. The ship mentioned, the 'Superb', is documented as part of the London and Edinburgh Shipping Company's fleet by 1828.

The firm Cade & Robinson is associated with London, though academic sources such as G.H. Baillie suggest varying activity dates for the makers. The watch is currently catalogued under the registration number ST 24754, forming part of the science and measurement collection at Museums Victoria. This documentation provides a clear link between the manufacture of the piece and its subsequent ownership history.

Evidence for this section
  • “Inner case is marked 'A Gift from Mr Oswald of Cavens to Wm Ballingall of the Superb, Leith, April 1822'.”
  • “The Superb was one of the ships operated by The London and Edinburgh Shipping Company in 1828.”

Open research questions

  • What is the identity of the 'IG' silversmith responsible for the case construction?
  • How does the serial number 4849 align with the production timelines of Cade & Robinson given the discrepancy with Baillie's dates?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Cade & Robinson Silver Hunter Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerCade & Robinson“Cade & Robinson, London, no 4849”
Serial Number4849“no 4849”
Datecirca 1813“circa 1813”
EscapementVerge“verge escapement”
Hallmarks1813-1814 London hallmarks“London hallmark for 1813-1814 (lion, crowned leopard, capital s)”
ProvenanceWilliam Ballingall“A Gift from Mr Oswald of Cavens to Wm Ballingall of the Superb, Leith, April 1822”
Dimensions5.5 cm diameter“5.5 cm (Outside Diameter)”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with Roman numeral indices
  • Hunter-style protective metal outer casing
  • Detachable movement cover with cut-out for regulation access
  • Pendant-style winding bow attached to the case

Research qualifications

  • The exact operational status of the verge escapement movement is not stated
  • The maker's operational dates cited in Baillie conflict with the hallmark date

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

Consulted source

Pocket Watch - Cade & Robinson, London, circa 1813

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record b208a7c021

Terms in this record

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

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