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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Gentleman's Pocket Watch by Chevalier & Comp.

Partially verified

This gentleman's gold pocket watch is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, under accession number BK-16246. Dated broadly between circa 1790 and 1830, the timepiece features a gold case with an enamel back cover depicting a woman and a young boy within a wooded landscape. The white dial is signed with the name 'Chevalier & Comp.' and displays Roman numerals for the hours, with individual minute markers around the periphery. The case measures approximately 4.9 cm in diameter with an overall height of 6.6 cm including the bow, and a depth of 1.6 cm.

View of the watch dial signed 'Chevalier & Comp.', showing the key-wind hole and enamel border.
View of the watch dial signed 'Chevalier & Comp.', showing the key-wind hole and enamel border. — Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Chevalier & Comp.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-16246
Source-reported date
c. 1790 - c. 1830
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 Dial Design

The watch is encased in gold and incorporates a notable enamel decorative element on the reverse side. This miniature painting features a woman accompanied by a young boy, situated within a wooded environment, a design choice consistent with the decorative arts of the period. The bezel is embellished with a blue and white geometric pattern that contrasts with the metallic lustre of the gold.

The dial is composed of white enamel and marked with Roman numerals for the hour indications. A minute track is integrated into the outer edge of the dial to assist with precise time reading. The watch is wound via a key through an aperture located in the upper right quadrant of the dial, placed near the 2 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “On the back cover is an enamel decoration of a woman with a young boy in a wooded landscape.”
  • “gold (metal)”

Signature and Identification

The watch is identified by the signature 'Chevalier & Comp.' inscribed directly onto the dial, situated below the centre point between the 8 and 4 o'clock positions. This signature serves as the primary attribution for the piece, though the biographical details of the maker or the specific operations of the firm are not explicitly defined in the provided documentation.

The object is officially registered under the inventory number BK-16246 within the Rijksmuseum collection. This museum classification identifies the object as part of their jewellery and watch inventory, ensuring its status as a documented historical item within their collection records.

Evidence for this section
  • “Museum object number BK-16246”

Provenance and Documentation

The timepiece is currently held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which serves as its primary institution of record. The dimensions provided by the museum specify a diameter of 4.9 cm and an overall height of 6.6 cm, indicating the size profile of the timepiece. These records provide a framework for identifying the watch within a broader category of horological specimens produced during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The dating of the object, spanning from circa 1790 to 1830, is an assessment provided by the museum collection. The documentation for this specific object remains under review for further horological confirmation regarding its production context and technical specifications, as stated by the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, holds this object as BK-16246”
  • “Period c. 1790 - c. 1830”

Open research questions

  • Does the firm 'Chevalier & Comp.' refer to a specific historical watchmaking entity based in Geneva or Paris?
  • Are there internal movement markings that further verify the date of manufacture beyond the stylistic dating of the case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gentleman's Pocket Watch by Chevalier & Comp.
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Museum AccessionBK-16246“BK-16246”
MaterialGold“gold (metal)”
Diameter4.9 cm“diameter 4.9 cm”
Depth1.6 cm“depth 1.6 cm”
DecorationEnamel miniature“On the back cover is an enamel decoration of a woman with a young boy in a wooded landscape.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial featuring black Roman numerals and individual minute track
  • Gold-toned hands with a decorative arrow-shaped hour hand
  • Blue and white patterned enamel border on the case bezel
  • Key-wind aperture positioned near the 2 o'clock hour marker

Research qualifications

  • The maker attribution to Chevalier & Comp. relies solely on the signature on the dial
  • The dating of circa 1790-1830 represents a broad stylistic estimate provided by the holding institution

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

Consulted source

Watch, c. 1790 - c. 1830

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record d88957f768

Terms in this record

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

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