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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Cylinder escapement pocket watch

Gold pocket watch with cylinder escapement

Partially verified

This small gold pocket watch, held by the Sörmland Museum in Sweden, is an example of a cylinder escapement timepiece. Measuring four centimeters in diameter, the watch features an enameled white dial with Roman numerals and slender hands. The gold casing is decorated on the back with a coat of arms surrounded by curved lattice work. Internal inscriptions identify the movement as a four-jewel cylinder escapement, marked "Echappement à Cylindre quatre rubis N 35717" on the inner lid, with "Avance Retard" engraved on the movement itself. The object possesses a documented provenance starting with a gift from the wife of Dean Ek to the Strängnäs museum in 1960. It was subsequently transferred to the Sörmland Museum in 2017.

Front view of the gold pocket watch showing the white enamel dial and Roman numerals.
Front view of the gold pocket watch showing the white enamel dial and Roman numerals. — Sörmland Museum via Europeana. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Cylinder escapement pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
/916123/SLM_item_445117
Source-reported date
Not established
Source-reported place
Not established
Source-reported serial
35717

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 and Dial

The pocket watch is housed in a gold case measuring four centimeters in diameter. The rear of the case displays a decorative coat of arms, which is framed by a curved lattice pattern.

The dial is composed of white enamel and displays Roman numerals for the hour markers. It is equipped with simple, slender hands for the indication of time. The watch features a classic pendant and bow arrangement at the top of the case.

Evidence for this section
  • “Small pocket watch of gold, four cm in diameter.”
  • “The back decorated with a coat of arms surrounded by curved lattice.”
  • “Enameled white dial with Roman numerals and simple slender hands.”

Movement and Inscriptions

The internal mechanics are described as a cylinder escapement model with four jewels. The inner lid bears the inscription "Echappement à Cylindre quatre rubis N 35717", linking the watch to its specific serial number.

The movement itself includes standard regulation markings. These are engraved as "Avance Retard" to indicate the direction for adjustments to the timing of the watch.

Evidence for this section
  • “Echappement à Cylindre, quatre rubis N 35717”
  • “on the movement itself: "Avance Retard".”

Provenance and History

The watch was originally gifted in 1960 by the wife of Dean Ernst Georg Ek to the museum in Strängnäs. The donor, Ester Emilia Charlotta Kjerrulf, was a parish vicar's spouse residing in Vansö.

The object remained there until 2017, at which point the timepiece was transferred to the Sörmland Museum, where it is currently curated.

Evidence for this section
  • “The pocket watch is a gift from "Dean's wife Ek" in 1960 to Strängnäs museum.”
  • “The pocket watch was transferred in 2017 to Sörmland Museum.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific maker or origin of this cylinder escapement movement?
  • Can the coat of arms on the case back be linked to the donor family or the local region?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold pocket watch with cylinder escapement
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MaterialGold“Metall: Guld; Metall”
Diameter4 cm“Small pocket watch of gold, four cm in diameter.”
Movement inscriptionAvance Retard“on the movement itself: "Avance Retard".”
Inner lid inscriptionEchappement à Cylindre quatre rubis N 35717“Marked on the inner lid: "Echappement à Cylindre quatre rubis N 35717”
Accession Number/916123/SLM_item_445117“Europeana id /916123/SLM_item_445117”
ProvenanceGifted in 1960 by Dean's wife Ek“The pocket watch is a gift from "Dean's wife Ek" in 1960 to Strängnäs museum.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with Roman numeral indices
  • Slender hands and integrated pendant bow
  • Coat of arms engraving on the case back
  • Internal movement regulator marked 'Avance Retard'

Research qualifications

  • The exact manufacturer of the watch is currently unidentified
  • The date of manufacture is not recorded in the source documentation

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

Consulted source

Gold pocket watch "Echappement à Cylindre, quatre rubis N 35717"

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record c60dad489d

Terms in this record

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