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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Cylinder pocket watch

George Graham cylinder pocket watch No. 5746

Partially verified

This early 18th-century English pocket watch movement is signed by George Graham, London, and numbered 5746, dating to circa 1735 according to Bonhams. The gilt movement incorporates a cylinder escapement, Egyptian pillars, a pierced and engraved balance cock, and a diamond endstone. A separate gilt dust cap is signed 'Geo. Graham London' and scratch-numbered on its interior. The watch is fitted with an associated 47 mm gilt-metal repoussé outer case, alongside an enamel dial with Roman numerals and a hand noted as later replacements. The source records this piece in Jeremy Evans's 'Thomas Tompion, at the Dial and Three Crowns'.

Movement view of George Graham cylinder pocket watch No. 5746 showing balance cock, regulator, and detached dust cap
Movement view of George Graham cylinder pocket watch No. 5746 showing balance cock, regulator, and detached dust cap — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Pocket watch · Cylinder pocket watch
Maker / attribution
George Graham
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
4
Source-reported date
circa 1735
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
5746

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 Bibliographic Record

In the auction catalogue, the watch is presented as an early 18th-century cylinder pocket watch dated to circa 1735. The movement is signed 'George Graham, London 5746'.

A footnote in the lot entry records that this specific watch is cited on page 98 of Jeremy Evans's publication 'Thomas Tompion, at the Dial and Three Crowns'.

Evidence for this section
  • “George Graham. An early 18th century cylinder pocket watch No.5746, circa 1735”
  • “movement signed George Graham, London 5746”
  • “This watch is recorded in 'Thomas Tompion, at the Dial and Three Crowns,' by Jeremy Evans, on pg. 98”

Movement Architecture and Observable Features

The gilt movement is catalogued as having a cylinder escapement and Egyptian pillars. Additional features reported by the source include a pierced and engraved balance cock and a diamond endstone.

Observation of the movement side confirms a gilt top plate engraved with floral scrollwork and signed 'Geo. Graham London', a pierced and engraved round balance cock with a diamond endstone setting, and a silvered regulator disc calibrated with Arabic numerals 5 to 30. A separate gilt dust cap is visible, inscribed 'Geo. Graham London' within an oval cartouche, and is reported by the auctioneer to be scratch-numbered on the inside.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gilt movement with pierced and engraved balance cock, diamond endstone, movement signed George Graham, London 5746, cylinder escapement, Egyptian pillars”
  • “dust cap signed and scratch numbered on the inside”
  • “Gilt top plate engraved with floral scrollwork and signed 'Geo. Graham London'.”
  • “Elaborately pierced and engraved round balance cock with a diamond endstone setting.”
  • “Silvered regulator disc calibrated with Arabic numerals 5 to 30.”
  • “Detached circular gilt dust cap inscribed 'Geo. Graham London' within an oval cartouche.”

Casing, Dial Status, and Cataloguing Limitations

The watch is fitted with an outer associated gilt-metal repoussé case measuring 47 mm. The visual observation notes relief work visible on the inside of the hinged outer case.

According to the catalogue description, both the enamel dial with Roman numerals and the hand are replacements. Because only the movement, open case interior, and separate dust cap are depicted in the auction photograph, the dial and hand assembly cannot be directly verified from the available image.

Evidence for this section
  • “replaced enamel dial with Roman numerals, replaced hand”
  • “outer associated gilt metal repousse case 47mm”
  • “Hinged outer case interior displaying repoussé relief work.”

Open research questions

  • What specific entry or technical details regarding movement No. 5746 appear on page 98 of Jeremy Evans's 'Thomas Tompion, at the Dial and Three Crowns'?
  • What specific number is scratched on the interior of the dust cap?
  • Does an inner pair case survive, or was the movement fitted directly into the 47 mm associated repoussé outer case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for George Graham cylinder pocket watch No. 5746
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and Serial SignatureGeorge Graham, London 5746“movement signed George Graham, London 5746”
EscapementCylinder escapement“cylinder escapement”
Balance Cock and JewelPierced and engraved balance cock with diamond endstone“pierced and engraved balance cock, diamond endstone”
Pillar StyleEgyptian pillars“Egyptian pillars”
Dial and Hand StatusReplaced enamel dial and hand“replaced enamel dial with Roman numerals, replaced hand”
Dust Cap DetailsSigned and scratch numbered inside“dust cap signed and scratch numbered on the inside”
CaseAssociated 47mm gilt metal repoussé case“outer associated gilt metal repousse case 47mm”
Literature ReferenceJeremy Evans, Thomas Tompion, at the Dial and Three Crowns, p. 98“This watch is recorded in 'Thomas Tompion, at the Dial and Three Crowns,' by Jeremy Evans, on pg. 98”
Auction Sale Price£1,440 including premium“Sold for £1,440 inc. premium”
Sale Date13 December 2007“13 December 2007, 14:00 GMT”

Visible details

  • Gilt top plate engraved with floral scrollwork and signed 'Geo. Graham London'.
  • Elaborately pierced and engraved round balance cock with a diamond endstone setting.
  • Silvered regulator disc calibrated with Arabic numerals 5 to 30.
  • Detached circular gilt dust cap inscribed 'Geo. Graham London' within an oval cartouche.
  • Hinged outer case interior displaying repoussé relief work.

Research qualifications

  • Source notes the enamel dial and hand are later replacements.
  • The 47 mm gilt-metal repoussé outer case is described by the source as associated.
  • The dial side is not pictured in the photograph.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : George Graham. An early 18th century cylinder pocket watch No.5746, circa 1735

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 42398b3697

Terms in this record

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

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