Pocket watch · Pair case cylinder pocket watch

George Graham Gilt Metal Pair Case Cylinder Pocket Watch No. 6047

Partially verified

This George Graham pair case pocket watch dates to circa 1742 and measures 50 mm in diameter. The source reports it features a gilt full plate fusee cylinder movement with squared baluster pillars, a three-arm steel balance, a pierced and engraved balance cock, and a silvered regulator. The top plate and dust cap are signed by the maker and numbered 6047. The movement is housed in a gilt metal hinged inner case, complemented by a hinged outer cover lined in leather showing evidence of former stud work. The enamel dial features black Roman numerals, outer five-minute divisions, and steel hands.

Top plate view of the gilt full plate movement showing the engraved balance cock, regulator, and signature — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.bonhams.com
Category: Pocket watch · Pair case cylinder pocket watch
Maker / attribution: George Graham
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 45
Source-reported date: Circa 1742
Country: United Kingdom
Source-reported serial: 6047

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

Visible Movement Architecture and Markings

Direct observation of the movement in the inner case shows the top plate swung open. The plate is engraved in script 'Geo. Graham London' alongside serial number '6047'. The balance assembly features an elaborately pierced and engraved balance cock that incorporates scrollwork terminating in a grotesque mask motif.

Adjacent to the balance cock is a silvered regulation disc engraved with Arabic numerals. The photograph shows only this top-plate aspect of the gilt movement; the dial side, under-plate components, and outer case are not depicted.

Evidence for this section

“Hinged gilt metal inner case opened to reveal the top plate of the movement”
“Engraved script signature reading 'Geo. Graham London' and serial number '6047' on the top plate”
“Elaborately pierced and engraved scrollwork on the balance cock terminating in a grotesque mask motif”
“Silvered regulation disc engraved with Arabic numerals”

Reported Mechanism and Casing Construction

The auction cataloguing describes the movement as a 'Gilt full plate fusee cylinder movement with pierced and engraved balance cock' and notes squared baluster pillars, a 'steel 3-arm balance', and a 'dust cap numbered 6047'. Both the movement and dust cover are stated to be signed.

The casing is catalogued as a 'gilt metal hinged inner case with hinged leather cover to outer' measuring 50 mm. The source notes parenthetically that there is '(previous stud work visible on inside)' on the outer cover.

Evidence for this section

“Gilt full plate fusee cylinder movement with pierced and engraved balance cock, dust cap numbered 6047, silvered regulation, steel 3-arm balance, squared baluster pillars”
“gilt metal hinged inner case with hinged leather cover to outer, (previous stud work visible on inside) movement and dust cover signed 50mm.”

Reported Dial Features and Documentation

The lot description reports an 'enamel dial with black Roman numerals and outer five minute divisions' accompanied by 'steel hands'. Because only the movement top plate is pictured in the listing photograph, the dial and hands cannot be independently confirmed from the visual record.

The watch is dated to 'Circa 1742' in the cataloguing heading. The only listed provenance recorded in the entry is 'Sotheby's, 21st October 1977, lot 109.'

Evidence for this section

“enamel dial with black Roman numerals and outer five minute divisions, steel hands”
“Circa 1742”
“Provenance: Sotheby's, 21st October 1977, lot 109.”

Open research questions

What does visual documentation of the enamel dial, steel hands, and outer pair case reveal regarding originality and preservation?
Does the dust cap signature match the engraving style and wording of the top plate signature 'Geo. Graham London'?
What specific pattern of prior stud work is visible on the interior of the hinged leather outer cover?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for George Graham Gilt Metal Pair Case Cylinder Pocket Watch No. 6047
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Movement Type	Gilt full plate fusee cylinder movement	“Gilt full plate fusee cylinder movement with pierced and engraved balance cock”
Serial Number	6047	“dust cap numbered 6047”
Pillars	Squared baluster pillars	“squared baluster pillars”
Dial	Enamel dial with Roman numerals	“enamel dial with black Roman numerals and outer five minute divisions”
Provenance	Sotheby's, 21st October 1977, lot 109	“Sotheby's, 21st October 1977, lot 109.”
Case Outer Diameter	50 mm	“movement and dust cover signed 50mm.”
Outer Cover Condition	Hinged leather cover with previous stud work visible on inside	“hinged leather cover to outer, (previous stud work visible on inside)”
Reported Balance Type	Steel 3-arm balance	“steel 3-arm balance”

Visible details

Hinged gilt metal inner case opened to reveal the top plate of the movement
Elaborately pierced and engraved scrollwork on the balance cock terminating in a grotesque mask motif
Engraved script signature reading 'Geo. Graham London' and serial number '6047' on the top plate
Silvered regulation disc engraved with Arabic numerals

Research qualifications

The dial and outer pair case cover are not shown in the provided photograph.
The source notes that previous stud work is visible on the inside of the outer cover.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : George Graham. A gilt metal pair case cylinder pocket watchNo.6047, Circa 1742

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record bfc59745dd

Terms in this record

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