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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Enamelled gold pocket watch (Rijksmuseum BK-NM-9309)

Partially verified

This gold pocket watch is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, under accession number BK-NM-9309. The object is formally catalogued by the museum as an 'horloge'. Its physical construction is defined by a gold case featuring decorative enamelling. The enamel work depicts a scene of a lady selecting a rose from the flower basket held by a flower girl standing beside her. According to the institution's official records, the watch measures 5.1 cm in diameter, 7.2 cm in total height, and 2.1 cm in depth. While the museum assigns a broad date range of approximately 1400 to 1950 to the entry, the specific production details, maker identity, and internal movement characteristics remain largely unverified by the provided documentation. The watch is classified by the museum under jewellery and wrist watch categories, though its visible form is that of a traditional pendant or pocket watch design.

The obverse of the gold pocket watch, showing the white dial with Arabic numerals and the blue-and-white enamelled edge.
The obverse of the gold pocket watch, showing the white dial with Arabic numerals and the blue-and-white enamelled edge. — Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-NM-9309
Source-reported date
c. 1400 - c. 1950
Source-reported place
Not established

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 Decoration

The object is constructed from gold and features intricate enamel work on the exterior case. The decorative scheme includes a figurative scene depicting a flower girl presenting a basket of blooms to a lady who is selecting a rose. The perimeter of the watch case is further ornamented with a repeating blue and white geometric pattern.

The pendant assembly includes a gold bow and a small stem, which are integrated with the enamel design. The overall construction displays the dimensions of 5.1 cm in diameter and 2.1 cm in depth, identifying it as a standard pocket-sized timepiece.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold watch. The case is enamelled with a depiction of a lady taking a rose from the flower basket of a flower girl next to her.”
  • “diameter 5.1 cm x height 7.2 cm x width 5.1 cm x depth 2.1 cm”

Dial and Timekeeping

The watch features a white dial characterized by clear, black-printed Arabic numerals arranged in a circle. The minutes are marked by thin index lines surrounding the outer circumference of the dial.

The hand assembly comprises two primary hands. The hour hand features a circular central motif, providing a visual distinction from the simpler, tapering minute hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, holds this object as BK-NM-9309”

Institutional Documentation

This object is formally documented under the accession number BK-NM-9309 within the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. The museum has assigned a broad chronological bracket to the watch, spanning from approximately 1400 to 1950. This classification is noted as being subject to further research to determine more specific maker information.

The museum's internal records classify the item as both a wrist watch and a piece of jewellery. As a public institution, the Rijksmuseum maintains this object in its collection, and the descriptive details provided are derived from their translated catalogue records.

Evidence for this section
  • “The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, holds this object as BK-NM-9309”
  • “Museum classification wrist watch · jewellery”
  • “Watch, c. 1400 - c. 1950”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific movement type and escapement mechanism utilized in this watch?
  • Can the enamel scene be attributed to a specific artist or enamelling workshop based on style?
  • Does the numerical marking on the dial face correspond to a serial number or a later museum inventory mark?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Enamelled gold pocket watch (Rijksmuseum BK-NM-9309)
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Museum numberBK-NM-9309“BK-NM-9309”
Materialgold (metal)“gold (metal)”
Diameter5.1 cm“diameter 5.1 cm”
Height7.2 cm“height 7.2 cm”
Depth2.1 cm“depth 2.1 cm”
Case decorationEnamelled scene with a lady and a flower girl“The case is enamelled with a depiction of a lady taking a rose from the flower basket of a flower girl next to her.”
Holding institutionRijksmuseum, Amsterdam“Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with black Arabic numerals
  • Blue and white geometric enamel border pattern on the case edge
  • Gold-colored winding bow and crown assembly
  • Two-handed configuration with a decorative circular aperture on the hour hand

Research qualifications

  • Museum date range is extremely broad and may reflect collection grouping rather than production date
  • Maker attribution and horological specifications are not provided in the source
  • The museum classifies the object as a wrist watch despite its appearance as a pocket-style timepiece

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

Consulted source

Watch, c. 1400 - c. 1950 (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, BK-NM-9309)

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 0d57f0f402

Terms in this record

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

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