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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Pocket watch movement on desk stand

George Graham Watch Movement Mounted in a Brass Stand

Partially verified

This pocket watch movement by George Graham of London, numbered 565 and dated by the auction source to circa 1735, is mounted within an ornate cast brass bezel and suspended in a C-shaped brass stand. According to the auction description, the movement features square baluster pillars, a chain fusée, a cylinder escapement, an outer dust cover, and a pierced bridge cock with a diamond end-stone. The watch is fitted with a later white enamel dial featuring Roman hour numerals, Arabic minute intervals, a winding aperture near 4 o'clock, and beetle-and-poker hands.

Front view of the George Graham watch movement mounted in a cast brass bezel on a brass desk stand
Front view of the George Graham watch movement mounted in a cast brass bezel on a brass desk stand — Bellmans. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
app.bellmans.co.uk
Category
Movement · Pocket watch movement on desk stand
Maker / attribution
George Graham
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
9a
Source-reported date
circa 1735
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
565

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 Attribution

This object consists of a watch movement signed by the London maker George Graham, identified by the serial number 565. The source dates the movement to circa 1735.

The source suggests referencing a table of numbered watches by Graham published in Jeremy Evans's 2006 study to establish context for the serial number.

Evidence for this section
  • “By George Graham, London, No. 565, circa 1735”
  • “See Jeremy Evans, Thomas Tompion at the Dial and Three Crowns, Wadhurst, 2006, p. 97, for a table of Graham's numbered watches.”

Dial and Visual Features

The movement is fitted with a white enamel dial, which the source describes as a later addition. It features Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute intervals.

The dial is equipped with beetle-and-poker hands and contains a winding aperture. The assembly is housed within a cast brass, rococo-style foliate bezel.

Evidence for this section
  • “Later white enamel dial and ‘ beetle and poker ’ hands”
  • “Elaborate cast brass rococo-style foliate bezel framing the dial.”

Construction and Reported State

The movement is described by the source as having square baluster pillars, a chain fusée, and a cylinder escapement, along with a pierced bridge cock featuring a diamond end-stone and an outer dust cover.

The movement is mounted in a brass cast bezel and suspended within a C-shaped frame. The source reports that the movement ticks when wound, though these internal mechanisms are not visible.

Evidence for this section
  • “pierced bridge cock with diamond end-stone, the movement with square baluster pillars and chain fusée, cylinder escapement, with outer dust cover”
  • “now in a brass cast bezel and hung in a 'C'-shaped frame”
  • “The watch ticks when wound.”

Open research questions

  • What is the physical origin and period of the C-shaped mounting frame?
  • Does serial number 565 correspond to the circa 1735 date provided in the source record?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for George Graham Watch Movement Mounted in a Brass Stand
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerGeorge Graham“By George Graham, London”
Movement NumberNo. 565“No. 565”
Datecirca 1735“circa 1735”
EscapementCylinder escapement“cylinder escapement”
DriveChain fusée“chain fusée”
MountingCast brass bezel in C-shaped frame“now in a brass cast bezel and hung in a 'C'-shaped frame”
Movement Number565“No. 565”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with Roman numeral hours and outer Arabic numeral five-minute calibrations.
  • Beetle-and-poker style hands and an offset winding aperture near 4 o'clock.
  • Elaborate cast brass rococo-style foliate bezel framing the dial.
  • Polished brass C-shaped arm terminating in a spherical finial above, mounted atop a domed pedestal and a square four-footed base.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement components including the chain fusée, baluster pillars, escapement, and balance cock are enclosed and not visible in the photograph.
  • The white enamel dial and beetle-and-poker hands are noted by the source as later additions.
  • The source reports the movement ticks when wound, which cannot be independently confirmed.

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

Consulted source

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 9ce4ff9a01

Terms in this record

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