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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Gold watch with chased dial

Partially verified

This pocket watch, held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, under accession number BK-NM-12830-A, is constructed from gold and features a dial produced using the ciselure technique. The watch case exhibits an embossed exterior depicting a scene of a man kneeling before a woman. The overall assembly is suspended from a chatelaine, identified as accession number BK-NM-12830-B. According to the institution's documentation, the watch measures approximately 4 cm in diameter, with a height of 6.3 cm and a depth of 2.4 cm. The object is associated with a timeframe dating between circa 1750 and 1800. As an individual museum artifact, this piece represents a specific specimen within the Rijksmuseum's holdings. Further investigation is required to determine maker attribution, movement specifications, and broader horological context, as current details are limited to the primary physical descriptors provided by the museum's catalogue record for the object.

Gold watch with chased dial and chatelaine, identified as BK-NM-12830-A, featuring a scene on the case and the inscription 'LEACH LONDON' on the dial.
Gold watch with chased dial and chatelaine, identified as BK-NM-12830-A, featuring a scene on the case and the inscription 'LEACH LONDON' on the dial. — Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-NM-12830-A
Source-reported date
c. 1750 - c. 1800
Source-reported place
Not established

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

Physical Description and Construction

The object is a gold watch characterized by a dial decorated through the ciselure technique. The external casing features an embossed decorative program, specifically portraying a scene of a man positioned in a kneeling posture in front of a woman.

The dimensions of the watch are recorded as 4 cm in diameter, 6.3 cm in height, and 2.4 cm in depth. The watch is integrated into a larger ensemble, being suspended from an ornate chatelaine, which is catalogued as a separate but linked component with the reference BK-NM-12830-B.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold watch with a chased dial.”
  • “The case is embossed with a scene of a man kneeling before a woman.”
  • “Suspended from chatelaine BK-NM-12830-B.”

Institutional Provenance

The watch is part of the permanent collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. It is officially catalogued under the object identification number BK-NM-12830-A.

The information provided by the institution serves as the primary source for the physical measurements and the materials used in the construction of the object.

Evidence for this section
  • “The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, holds this object as BK-NM-12830-A”
  • “The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, holds this object as BK-NM-12830-A; its record gives material recorded as gold (metal); technique ciselure; measurements diameter 4 cm x height 6.3 cm x depth 2.4 cm.”

Documentation and Research

The current documentation for this object is based on translations from the museum's Dutch catalogue text. The record provides basic physical parameters but notes that the status of this watch as a representative example of a wider horological type has not been established.

Further research is requested to verify the maker, historical context, and technical specifications of the movement, which are not currently detailed in the museum's primary record.

Evidence for this section
  • “Description translated from the museum's Dutch catalogue text; details are those of this museum object, and how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.”
  • “Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm the wider type, maker attribution and specifications against horological references.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific movement type housed within the gold case?
  • Is 'Leach London' a documented horological maker for this period?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold watch with chased dial
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Materialgold (metal)“gold (metal)”
Techniqueciselure“technique ciselure”
Museum NumberBK-NM-12830-A“BK-NM-12830-A”
Dimensions4 cm x 6.3 cm x 2.4 cm“diameter 4 cm x height 6.3 cm x depth 2.4 cm”
Datingc. 1750 - c. 1800“c. 1750 - c. 1800”

Visible details

  • The watch case appears circular with a top-mounted bow for suspension
  • The dial uses Roman numerals for hour markers

Research qualifications

  • The maker and specific horological movement details remain undocumented in the provided source
  • The attribution to a wider type or specific workshop remains unconfirmed by the current records

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

Consulted source

Gold watch with chased dial

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 55de5c0408

Terms in this record

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

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