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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Fusee pocket watch

George Graham fusee pocket watch

Partially verified

This horological lot features an 18th-century fusee pocket watch movement engraved 'Geo Graham London' and numbered 6010. The gilt movement measures 4.0 cm in diameter and features pierced and engraved foliate scrollwork, an ornate balance cock, and a silver regulator disc. According to saleroom notes, the watch is accompanied by a 4.5 cm silver case stamped JW*, which literature records date to 1741, as well as an outer 5.0 cm shagreen case. The auction house notes the shagreen case was not made by D. Grieve of Carlisle and that the movement is untested with faults.

Top plate view of the gilt fusee movement signed Geo Graham London No. 6010
Top plate view of the gilt fusee movement signed Geo Graham London No. 6010 — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Pocket watch · Fusee pocket watch
Maker / attribution
George Graham
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
49
Source-reported date
1741
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
6010

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

Movement Engraving and Mechanical Features

The lot comprises an 18th-century fusee movement measuring 4.0 cm in diameter. Direct observation shows the gilt movement top plate engraved 'Geo Graham London' alongside the serial number '6010'. An elaborately pierced and engraved balance cock is positioned adjacent to a silver regulating disc, and the fusee chain and movement pillars are partially visible between the plates.

The auction catalogued the movement 'with faults and untested', reporting that it is accompanied by faults while leaving its operational condition and running order unverified.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gilt movement top plate engraved 'Geo Graham London' with serial number '6010'.”
  • “Elaborately pierced and engraved balance cock positioned adjacent to a silver regulating dial.”
  • “Fusee chain and movement pillars partially visible between the plates.”
  • “movement 4.0cm diameters”
  • “with faults and untested”

Associated Casing and Literature Concordance

While the provided photograph depicts only the uncased movement mechanism against a plain background, the lot description records two cases: a silver case measuring 4.5 cm in diameter and an outer case measuring 5.0 cm.

The initial catalogue entry described the item as an '18th century movement in later case'. However, an amended saleroom notice clarified that 'the silver case is likely original and stamped JW*', noting that this marking 'corresponds with the entry for 6010 dated 1741 in Thomas Tompion - 300 Years by Jeremy Evans, Jonathan Carter and Ben Wright'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Image displays only the uncased movement mechanism against a plain background.”
  • “The 18th century movement in later case”
  • “case 5.0cm, silver case 4.5cm, movement 4.0cm diameters”
  • “the silver case is likely original and stamped JW*”
  • “corresponds with the entry for 6010 dated 1741 in Thomas Tompion - 300 Years by Jeremy Evans, Jonathan Carter and Ben Wright”

Outer Shagreen Case Clarifications and Shipping Restrictions

The lot listing initially described the piece as having 'a shagreen case by D. Grieve of Carlisle'. A subsequent saleroom notice modified this attribution, stating: 'The shagreen case is not by D. Grieve of Carlisle but seems to fit the watch comfortably.'

Because the outer case contains shagreen, the lot carries the CITES symbol 'Y'. A footnote specifies that 'This lot contains shagreen and can only be shipped domestically.'

Evidence for this section
  • “with a shagreen case by D. Grieve of Carlisle”
  • “The shagreen case is not by D. Grieve of Carlisle but seems to fit the watch comfortably.”
  • “Y CITES”
  • “This lot contains shagreen and can only be shipped domestically.”

Open research questions

  • What additional hallmarks or maker's marks are stamped on the 4.5 cm silver case alongside 'JW*' to confirm its 1741 date?
  • What specific mechanical faults are present in the movement and fusee assembly?
  • Does the dial survive, and what is its visual appearance and condition, given that only the movement top plate is photographed?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for George Graham fusee pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Lot TitleA George Graham fusee pocket watch“A George Graham fusee pocket watch”
Serial and Date ReferenceNumber 6010, dated 1741“corresponds with the entry for 6010 dated 1741 in Thomas Tompion - 300 Years”
DimensionsCase 5.0cm, silver case 4.5cm, movement 4.0cm diameters“case 5.0cm, silver case 4.5cm, movement 4.0cm diameters”
Silver Case MarkingStamped JW*“the silver case is likely original and stamped JW*”
ConditionWith faults and untested“with faults and untested”
CITES Export RestrictionSubject to domestic shipping constraints due to shagreen material“This lot contains shagreen and can only be shipped domestically.”
Outer Case Diameter5.0 cm“case 5.0cm”
Silver Case Diameter4.5 cm“silver case 4.5cm”
Auction Sale PriceAU$2,337 inc. premium“Sold for AU$2,337 inc. premium”

Visible details

  • Gilt movement top plate engraved 'Geo Graham London' with serial number '6010'.
  • Elaborately pierced and engraved balance cock positioned adjacent to a silver regulating dial.
  • Fusee chain and movement pillars partially visible between the plates.
  • Image displays only the uncased movement mechanism against a plain background.

Research qualifications

  • The image only depicts the uncased movement; the silver case and shagreen outer case mentioned in the lot description are not shown in this photograph.
  • The movement is catalogued with faults and untested.
  • Saleroom notices clarified that the shagreen case was not made by D. Grieve of Carlisle despite containing a paper label.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : A George Graham fusee pocket watch case 5.0cm, silver case 4.5cm, movement 4.0cm diameters

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record fd8b595a75

Terms in this record

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

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