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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Deck watch

Gold watch made for Queen Amelie of France by Henri Motel

Partially verified

According to the Science Museum Group, this gold pocket watch was made in Paris circa 1840 by Henri Jean-Francois Motel. The piece features a white enamel dial signed 'hri Motel hges de la Marine Rle No. 48' with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds. The source reports an engine-turned gold case and a movement with a pivoted detent escapement, a four-arm compensation balance, a conical balance spring without terminal curve, and jewelling to the centre. It is accompanied by a mahogany deck box bearing a silver plate inscribed 'Don de la Reine Amelie H H', and an engraved equation-of-time table on the cuvette.

Dial view of the gold watch by Henri Jean-Francois Motel, circa 1840
Dial view of the gold watch by Henri Jean-Francois Motel, circa 1840 — The Clockmakers' Museum/Clarissa Bruce © The Clockmakers’ Charity. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Deck watch
Maker / attribution
Henri Jean-Francois Motel
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
L2015-4040
Source-reported date
circa 1840
Country
France
Source-reported serial
48

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

Dial and Exterior Presentation

The timepiece features a white enamel dial with Roman numerals and an outer track. The dial is signed 'hri Motel hges de la Marine Rle No. 48' in script below the 12 o'clock position.

A subsidiary seconds register is located at 6 o'clock, featuring Arabic ten-second numerals. The hands are described as steel and are observed in the photograph with pierced circular open tips.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial signed ‘hri Motel hges de la Marine Rle No. 48’”
  • “Subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock inscribed 'No. 48' with Arabic ten-second numerals”
  • “Steel hands.”
  • “Blued or darkened hands with pierced circular open tips”

Case and Associated Housing

The watch is housed in an engine-turned gold case with a reeded bezel rim and a round pendant ring at 12 o'clock.

The watch is accompanied by a mahogany deck box. The exterior of the box features a silver plate inscribed with the text 'Don de la Reine Amelie H H'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold engine-turned case.”
  • “Yellow gold case with reeded bezel rim and round pendant ring at 12 o'clock”
  • “Mahogany deck box with silver plate inscribed ‘Don de la Reine Amelie H H’.”

Internal Mechanism Specifications

The movement is recorded as having a pivoted detent escapement. It utilizes a four-arm compensation balance and a conical balance spring without a terminal curve, with jewelling to the centre.

The cuvette is engraved with an equation-of-time table.

Evidence for this section
  • “Pivoted detent escapement.”
  • “Four-arm compensation balance, conical balance spring without terminal curve.”
  • “Jewelled to centre.”
  • “Cuvette engraved with equation-of-time table.”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the 'H H' suffix in the inscription on the deck box?
  • Are there archival records confirming the royal gift history associated with this specific timepiece?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold watch made for Queen Amelie of France by Henri Motel
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerHenri Jean-Francois Motel“maker: Henri Jean-Francois Motel”
Datecirca 1840“Made: circa 1840”
Dial signaturehri Motel hges de la Marine Rle No. 48“White enamel dial signed ‘hri Motel hges de la Marine Rle No. 48’”
EscapementPivoted detent escapement“Pivoted detent escapement.”
Box InscriptionDon de la Reine Amelie H H“Mahogany deck box with silver plate inscribed ‘Don de la Reine Amelie H H’.”
Object NumberL2015-4040“Object Number: L2015-4040”
DimensionsWatch: 73 mm x 64 mm x 21 mm; Box: 52 mm x 94 mm x 52 mm“watch: 73 mm x 64 mm x 21 mm, box: 52 mm x 94 mm x 52 mm”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an outer track
  • Dial signed in script below 12 o'clock 'hri Motel / hger de la Marine Rle'
  • Subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock inscribed 'No. 48' with Arabic ten-second numerals
  • Blued or darkened hands with pierced circular open tips
  • Yellow gold case with reeded bezel rim and round pendant ring at 12 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement specifications, equation-of-time cuvette, and mahogany deck box are described by the museum record but not visible in this dial-side photograph

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

Consulted source

Gold watch made for Queen Amelie of France by Henri Motel | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 848e0cf832

Terms in this record

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

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