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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch

Enamelled gold pocket watch by Gregson

Partially verified

This pocket watch, manufactured in Paris in 1789, features an enamelled gold case and a quarter-repeating movement. The watchmaker responsible for the mechanism is Gregson, who signed the movement as 'Gregson Horr du Roy A Paris'. The case was produced by the jeweller Jean-Jacques Le Bain and includes a grisaille enamel scene depicting a cupid standing before an altar of flaming hearts. The movement is equipped with a virgule escapement and is numbered 2296. The object was acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum as a bequest from Mr. John George Joicey. The watch measures 6.4 cm in height, 5.1 cm in width, and 1.8 cm in depth. The white enamel dial is set within the gold case, which shows decorative blue enamel details on the borders.

View of the back of the watch showing the enamel grisaille scene of a cupid.
View of the back of the watch showing the enamel grisaille scene of a cupid. — Victoria and Albert Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.vam.ac.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Gregson; Jean-Jacques Le Bain
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
M.195-1919
Source-reported date
1789
Source-reported place
France
Source-reported serial
2296

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 Construction

The watch is encased in gold, finished with enamel techniques. The exterior of the case displays a deep blue enamel over a guilloché pattern, bordered by a series of blue dots. A central medallion on the back cover shows a grisaille enamel scene of a cupid standing beside an altar containing flaming hearts.

The dial is made of white enamel and features Arabic numerals. It is integrated into the case, with the accession number M.195-1919 clearly visible at the bottom edge of the dial face. Blued steel hands are used to indicate time, and the assembly is finished with a gold pendant and bow.

Evidence for this section
  • “enamelled gold case by Jean-Jacques Le Bain with grisaille scene of a cupid at an altar of flaming hearts”
  • “Enamelled gold watch, signed 'Gregson Horr du Roy A Paris', with casemaker's mark for Jean-Jacques Le Bain”

Movement and Escapement

The internal mechanism is a quarter-repeating movement. The movement is attributed to the watchmaker Gregson and features a virgule escapement. The back plate of the movement is signed by the maker and includes the specific serial number 2296.

The movement plate layout includes engraving for the regulation of the balance, marked 'Retard' and 'Avance'.

Evidence for this section
  • “1/4 repeating movement with virgule escapement by Gregson, no. 2296”
  • “Gregson Horr du Roy A Paris No. 2296 Bt”

Provenance and Documentation

The watch is currently held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. It entered the collection as part of the bequest of

The object is catalogued under the accession number M.195-1919, which is permanently marked on the dial. The museum records confirm the dual contribution of the maker Gregson and the casemaker Jean-Jacques Le Bain, dating the creation of the piece to 1789.

Evidence for this section
  • “Accession number: M.195-1919”
  • “Bequeathed by Mr John George Joicey”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific historical relationship between Gregson and Jean-Jacques Le Bain?
  • Does the accession number marking on the dial represent a later museum-added identification or a period feature?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Enamelled gold pocket watch by Gregson
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerGregson (watchmaker); Le Bain, Jean-Jacques (jeweller)“Maker: Gregson (watchmaker); Le Bain, Jean-Jacques (jeweller)”
Date1789“Date: 1789”
Place of originParis“Place of origin: Paris (made)”
Movement number2296“no. 2296”
Escapementvirgule escapement“virgule escapement”
Materialsenamelled gold“enamelled gold”
Accession numberM.195-1919“Accession number: M.195-1919”
InscriptionsGregson Horr du Roy A Paris No. 2296 Bt“Gregson Horr du Roy A Paris No. 2296 Bt”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with Arabic numerals and a minute track.
  • Movement plate engraved with 'Gregson Horr du Roy A Paris' and 'No. 2296'.
  • Outer case features a blue guilloché ground with a central grisaille medallion.
  • Blued steel hands for hours and minutes.

Research qualifications

  • Accession number M.195-1919 is painted directly onto the dial surface.
  • The full extent of the repeating mechanism's components is not visible in the provided imagery.

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

Consulted source

Watch

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 54937286ad

Terms in this record

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

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