Pocket watch · Duplex hunter pocket watch

Duplex Pocket Watch in Gilt Silver Case by Vulliamy

Partially verified

This pocket watch with duplex escapement is housed in a gilt silver hunter case hallmarked for 1823. Recorded by the Science Museum Group as made in London by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy, the timepiece features a white enamel dial with Roman numeral hour markers, an outer five-minute scale, and an off-centre subsidiary seconds dial located between the 7 and 8 o'clock positions. In its open configuration, the watch measures approximately 70 mm by 80 mm by 55 mm and weighs 0.15 kg.

Duplex pocket watch in open gilt silver hunter case by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy — Science Museum Group. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category: Pocket watch · Duplex hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution: Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 1916-182
Source-reported date: 1810-1823, hallmarked 1823
Country: United Kingdom

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

Identity and Attribution

The object is recorded in the Science Museum Group Collection as a duplex pocket watch attributed to Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy and made in London. The collection title dates the object to 1810-1823, with a specific record noting it was hallmarked in 1823.

Catalogued under object number 1916-182, the watch entered the collection with credit to Mr. Evan Roberts. A descriptive caption in the source record identifies it as a 'Duplex watch in gilt silver hunter case by Vulliamy, London, no.xx a m. Hall marked 1823'.

Evidence for this section

“Duplex Pocket Watch in Gilt Silver Case by Vulliamy, 1810-1823”
“Made: hallmarked 1823”
“maker: Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy”
“credit: Mr. Evan Roberts”
“Duplex watch in gilt silver hunter case by Vulliamy, London, no.xx a m. Hall marked 1823”

Case Construction and Dimensions

Direct visual observation confirms that the front hinged hunter lid is open, displaying internal hallmarks stamped into the metal. The case perimeter relative to the dial orientation features a rounded pendant and a circular suspension bow mounted at approximately 4 to 5 o'clock.

According to the source documentation, the overall dimensions in an open configuration are 70 mm by 80 mm by 55 mm, with a recorded weight of .15kg. Stated materials for the piece include silver, gilding, brass, enamel, and springs.

Evidence for this section

“Front hinged hunter lid is open, displaying internal hallmarks stamped into the metal.”
“A rounded pendant and circular suspension bow are fitted at the 4 to 5 o'clock perimeter of the case relative to the dial orientation.”
“overall (open): 70 mm x 80 mm x 55 mm, .15kg”
“Materials: brass (copper, zinc alloy) , enamel , silver , gilding , hallmark , chronological , timers , regulating , double action , free-standing and springs (elastic objects)”

Dial Presentation and Movement

The visible dial is executed in white enamel with black Roman numeral hour indices. An off-centre subsidiary seconds register is positioned between the 7 and 8 o'clock markers, and a maker signature inscription appears directly below the 12 o'clock position.

The collection catalogues the object as both a 'pocket watch' and a 'duplex watch'. However, the internal duplex movement mechanism is not exposed in the visual record, and its mechanical details remain source-reported rather than directly verifiable from the photograph.

Evidence for this section

“White enamel dial displays black Roman numeral hour indices and an off-centre subsidiary seconds register between 7 and 8 o'clock.”
“The dial bears a maker signature inscription below the 12 o'clock position.”
“type: pocket watch and duplex watch”

Open research questions

What specific number and letters were originally intended by the source transcript 'no.xx a m.'?
What specific hallmarks and maker's marks are struck inside the front hunter lid?
Does the movement utilize a single-escape-wheel or two-escape-wheel duplex configuration?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Duplex Pocket Watch in Gilt Silver Case by Vulliamy
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy	“maker: Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy”
Hallmark Date	1823	“Made: hallmarked 1823”
Place of Manufacture	London	“in London”
Object Number	1916-182	“Object Number: 1916-182”
Dimensions	70 mm x 80 mm x 55 mm, .15kg	“overall (open): 70 mm x 80 mm x 55 mm, .15kg”
Object Type	pocket watch and duplex watch	“type: pocket watch and duplex watch”
Donor Credit	Mr. Evan Roberts	“credit: Mr. Evan Roberts”
Materials	Brass, enamel, silver, gilding, springs	“Materials: brass (copper, zinc alloy) , enamel , silver , gilding , hallmark , chronological , timers , regulating , double action , free-standing and springs (elastic objects)”
Source Caption Transcribed Marking	no.xx a m.	“Duplex watch in gilt silver hunter case by Vulliamy, London, no.xx a m. Hall marked 1823”

Visible details

Front hinged hunter lid is open, displaying internal hallmarks stamped into the metal.
White enamel dial displays black Roman numeral hour indices and an off-centre subsidiary seconds register between 7 and 8 o'clock.
A rounded pendant and circular suspension bow are fitted at the 4 to 5 o'clock perimeter of the case relative to the dial orientation.
The dial bears a maker signature inscription below the 12 o'clock position.

Research qualifications

The internal duplex movement mechanism is not exposed in the photograph; duplex type is source-reported.
The full serial number is rendered indistinctly in the source record as 'no.xx a m.'.

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

Consulted source

Duplex Pocket Watch in Gilt Silver Case by Vulliamy, 1810-1823 | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 2e6a4e156c

Terms in this record

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