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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Calendar pocket watch

Calendar watch by Thomas Alcock

Partially verified

This calendar watch, assigned the accession number 17.190.1470 by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, is attributed to the London-based watchmaker Thomas Alcock. Alcock was a recorded watchmaker known to have been working by 1630 and was admitted to the Clockmakers’ Company in 1632. He died before 1688. The watch is dated circa 1650 and measures 1-3/4 inches (4.4 cm) in diameter. The construction consists of an inner silver case housed within an outer case made of leather-covered silver with silver piqué work. The movement is fabricated from gilt brass, steel—featuring parts that are blued—and silver.

Front view of the calendar watch in its case, showing the dial with lunar and star motifs.
Front view of the calendar watch in its case, showing the dial with lunar and star motifs. — The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Calendar pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Thomas Alcock
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
17.190.1470
Source-reported date
ca. 1650
Source-reported place
British, London

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 Construction

The outer case is composed of leather-covered silver embellished with silver piqué work, providing an aesthetic finish to the exterior protective housing. Inside this outer shell, the watch is contained within a silver inner case.

The dimensions of the timepiece are documented as 1.75 inches (4.4 cm) in diameter, consistent with portable timekeepers of the mid-17th century.

Evidence for this section
  • “Outer case: leather-covered silver with silver piqué work; Inner case: silver”
  • “Diam. 1-3/4 in. (4.4 cm).”

Movement and Dial Details

The movement is constructed from a combination of gilt brass, steel, and silver. Some of the steel components are specified as having a blued finish. This internal mechanism drives the calendar and timekeeping functions displayed on the face.

The dial surface incorporates a celestial motif, featuring a moon face centered over a pattern of stars. The dial architecture is designed to accommodate multiple tracks for the indication of calendar data alongside standard timekeeping.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: gilt brass, steel, partly blued, and silver.”
  • “The museum records its materials as: Outer case: leather-covered silver with silver piqué work; Inner case: silver; Movement: gilt brass, steel, partly blued, and silver.”

Maker and Documentation

Thomas Alcock, the attributed maker of this calendar watch, was active in London during the 17th century. Records indicate he was working by 1630 and achieved membership in the Clockmakers’ Company in 1632. He remained active in the trade until his death before 1688.

The watch is currently held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art under the accession number 17.190.1470. The museum's records serve as the primary source for the physical attributes and historical attribution of the object.

Evidence for this section
  • “Watchmaker: Thomas Alcock (recorded working 1630, Clockmakers’ Company 1632, died before 1688)”
  • “The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this object as 17.190.1470”

Open research questions

  • What specific mechanisms define the calendar function on this movement?
  • Are there visible hallmarks on the silver cases to confirm the place and year of assay?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Calendar watch by Thomas Alcock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerThomas Alcock“Watchmaker: Thomas Alcock (recorded working 1630, Clockmakers’ Company 1632, died before 1688)”
Dateca. 1650“dated ca. 1650”
Place of ManufactureLondon, UK“British, London”
Dimensions1-3/4 in. (4.4 cm)“Diam. 1-3/4 in. (4.4 cm).”
Outer Case MaterialsLeather-covered silver with piqué work“Outer case: leather-covered silver with silver piqué work”
Movement MaterialsGilt brass, steel, and silver“Movement: gilt brass, steel, partly blued, and silver.”
Accession Number17.190.1470“The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this object as 17.190.1470”

Visible details

  • The outer case displays an intricate silver piqué pattern on a dark background
  • The inner dial features a moon face and a star-studded field

Research qualifications

  • The exact provenance prior to its acquisition by The Metropolitan Museum of Art is not detailed
  • The internal state and full functionality of the movement are not described in the source

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

Consulted source

Calendar watch, Thomas Alcock, ca. 1650

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record f800a579d7

Terms in this record

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

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