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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pair-cased watch

Gold Pair-Cased Watch

Partially verified

This gold pair-cased watch is signed by the London maker Ellicott and features the movement number 6154. The watch is constructed with a verge escapement and a gilded brass movement. The case bears the London hallmark for 1768-1769 and includes the maker's mark 'TL' with a star, identifying it as the work of Thomas Layton. Engraved on the back of the case are the initials 'JD' within a chased wreath. The watch is documented as having belonged to Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore, and was retrieved during the Siege of Seringapatam on 4 May 1799. It entered the possession of Lieutenant Robert McDowal and was later presented to the Indian Museum in 1877 by Colonel E.F. Waterman. Components including the gilded brass bar and the watch hands are recorded as later replacements.

The watch face and case, showing the pair-case construction and dial layout.
The watch face and case, showing the pair-case construction and dial layout. — Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.vam.ac.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Pair-cased watch
Maker / attribution
Ellicott (attributed)
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
03173(IS)
Source-reported date
1768-1769
Source-reported place
London
Source-reported serial
6154

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

Construction and Design

The watch is designed as a gold pair-cased timepiece featuring a verge escapement. The movement is inscribed with the signature 'Ellicott, London' and the identifier 6154 on the inner case, cap, and movement. The dial is enamel, marked with Roman numerals for the hour tracking and Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals.

The movement assembly displays elaborate decorative metalwork on the bridge. Historical records indicate that specific internal components, notably the gilded brass bar and the watch hands, are not original and were replaced at some point following the watch's initial manufacture. The case remains hallmarked for London 1768-9, with the mark of Thomas Layton.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold pair case with verge escapement.”
  • “Signed Ellicott London.”
  • “The bar of the watch is gilded brass and is not original; the hands are also later replacements.”

Inscriptions and Marks

The case itself bears the London hallmark assigned to the year 1768-1769, alongside the maker's mark consisting of the letters 'TL' topped with a star, attributed to Thomas Layton.

A further inscription, added later, occupies the back of the watch. This text provides a detailed record of the watch's history following the death of Tipu Sultan, noting its acquisition by Lieutenant R. McDowell on 4 May 1799 and its subsequent presentation to the Indian Museum by Colonel E.F. Waterman on behalf of his late wife, the daughter of Brigadier Robert McDowell.

Evidence for this section
  • “Engraved 'JD' almost certainly original within a wreath apparently contemporary with the case.”
  • “Case hallmarked London 1768-9, bearing maker's mark TL with star above for Thomas Layton.”
  • “This watch was found on the person of Tippoo, Sultan of Mysore on his death and was presented to the Indian Museum by Colonel E.F. Waterman”

Historical Provenance

The watch is associated with the Siege of Seringapatam in May 1799, where it was reportedly taken from the treasury of Tipu Sultan. According to supporting documentation, the object came into the possession of Lieutenant Robert McDowal on 4 May 1799, following his purchase of the watch from the soldier who killed Tipu Sultan.

The object was received by the Indian Museum on 12 March 1877. It was presented by Colonel E.F. Waterman of the Madras Staff Corps, who stated the donation was made to fulfill the request of his late wife, who was the daughter of Brigadier Robert McDowal. The museum records preserve this history within their slip book archives, referencing the object under index 5251.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch was taken from the treasury of Tipu Sultan at the Siege of Seringapatam in May 1799”
  • “It was given to the Indian Museum by Colonel E.F. Waterman of the Madras Staff Corps on 12 March 1877”
  • “This watch was given to the Indian Museum and was entered in the slip book (no. 5251) as having been received on 12 March, 1877.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific nature of the 'JD' initials and who was the intended original owner?
  • Are there archival records identifying the soldier from whom Robert McDowal reportedly purchased the watch?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold Pair-Cased Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerEllicott“Signed Ellicott London.”
Movement Number6154“Movement number 6154.”
Case MakerThomas Layton“bearing maker's mark TL with star above for Thomas Layton.”
Hallmark Date1768-1769“Case hallmarked London 1768-9”
ProvenanceTipu Sultan“This watch was found on the person of Tippoo, Sultan of Mysore on his death”
Accession Number03173(IS)“Accession number: 03173(IS)”
Replacement ComponentsGilded brass bar and hands“The bar of the watch is gilded brass and is not original; the hands are also later replacements.”

Visible details

  • The watch has an enamel dial with Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes.
  • The internal view shows the balance bridge with scroll-work decoration and the movement signature.
  • The outer case is plain gold with a bow and pendant for suspension.

Research qualifications

  • The source notes the watch was supposedly purchased from the soldier who killed Tipu Sultan, an unverified provenance claim.
  • The exact original state of the 'JD' initials remains subject to source-attributed interpretation.

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

Consulted source

Watch

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 7841d283a2

Terms in this record

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

Other pair-cased watch records