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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Gold pocket watch by Gould

Partially verified

This gold pocket watch, identified as museum object BK-NM-12822 by the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, is dated to 1781. The timepiece is constructed from gold and features an enamelled dial. A distinctive feature of the watch is the outer case, which is decorated with repoussé-worked ornamentation depicting the biblical scene of Rebecca at the well. The physical dimensions of the object are recorded with a watch diameter of 4.1 cm and a case diameter of 4.6 cm, with an overall height of 6.2 cm and a depth of 2.6 cm. The item is held within the permanent collection of the Rijksmuseum, serving as an example of late 18th-century horological production with decorative metalwork. It represents a documented museum artifact preserved in the Netherlands.

Front view of the gold pocket watch showing the enamelled dial and signed 'GOULD LONDON' face.
Front view of the gold pocket watch showing the enamelled dial and signed 'GOULD LONDON' face. — Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Gould (unverified)
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-NM-12822
Source-reported date
1781
Source-reported place
United Kingdom

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

Case Construction and Decoration

The object features a gold case enhanced by repoussé-worked surfaces. The primary decorative element on the outer casing is a scene depicting Rebecca at the well, a common thematic choice in late 18th-century metalwork. The case dimensions are specifically documented by the Rijksmuseum as 4.6 cm in diameter, allowing for the protective housing of the internal movement and dial components.

The gold construction is corroborated by the museum's documentation of the object's physical properties.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold watch with enamelled dial. Repoussé-worked on the outer case is a depiction of Rebecca at the well.”
  • “diameter 4.1 cm x diameter 4.6 cm x height 6.2 cm x depth 2.6 cm”

Dial and Signature

The watch utilizes an enamelled dial, which serves as the interface for timekeeping. It is marked with the signature 'GOULD' and 'LONDON', which identifies the maker and the city of production.

The inclusion of the maker's name and location provides a clear link to the horological output of 1781 London.

Evidence for this section
  • “Watch of gold, 1781”

Institutional Provenance

The watch is currently part of the permanent collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, registered under the identification number BK-NM-12822. This institutional placement confirms the object's status as a preserved historical artifact. The documentation provided by the museum serves as the primary source for the specifications and physical attributes of the watch.

The museum classifies the object under their own internal numbering system, ensuring that its history and physical state are recorded for future reference. This record acts as the definitive source for the object's current status and official measurements as listed in their registry.

Evidence for this section
  • “The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, holds this object as BK-NM-12822”
  • “Museum object number BK-NM-12822”

Open research questions

  • Can the identity of the specific 'Gould' maker be confirmed through English horological archives?
  • Is the museum classification 'wrist watch' an error based on the physical appearance of the pendant bow and case size?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold pocket watch by Gould
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Materialgold (metal)“gold (metal)”
Museum NumberBK-NM-12822“BK-NM-12822”
Case DecorationRepoussé scene of Rebecca at the well“Repoussé-worked on the outer case is a depiction of Rebecca at the well.”
Dimensions4.1 cm (watch), 4.6 cm (case), 6.2 cm (height), 2.6 cm (depth)“diameter 4.1 cm x diameter 4.6 cm x height 6.2 cm x depth 2.6 cm”

Visible details

  • Enamelled dial with Roman numerals
  • Gilded repoussé outer case featuring figural scene
  • Ornate filigree-style hands
  • Signature 'GOULD LONDON' on the dial

Research qualifications

  • Maker attribution remains subject to verification against horological records
  • The broader classification as a 'wrist watch' in the museum database may require re-evaluation given the physical format

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

Consulted source

Watch of gold, 1781

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record a64fd39977

Terms in this record

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

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