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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Gold Watch with Duplex Escapement by Smith & Asprey

Partially verified

This watch, accessioned as M.1-1963, is an English timepiece dating from 1811 to 1812. The watch features a varicoloured gold case that has been engine-turned and chased. Housed within is a movement equipped with a duplex escapement, signed by the makers Smith & Asprey of Bruton Street, London, and bearing the number 3973. According to the museum records, while the movement is contemporary to the case, it is not original to this specific housing. The timepiece measures 6.6 cm in height, 5.6 cm in width, and 1.7 cm in depth, with a total height of 7.6 cm including the suspension loop. It was acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum as a gift from Mrs. Cynthia Chellini through The Art Fund.

Internal view of the movement showing the duplex escapement and balance cock.
Internal view of the movement showing the duplex escapement and balance cock. — Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.vam.ac.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Smith & Asprey
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
M.1-1963
Source-reported date
1811-1812
Source-reported place
England
Source-reported serial
3973

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 External Features

The watch is housed in a case constructed from varicoloured gold. The exterior surfaces of the case are decorated with engine-turning, a process that creates geometric patterns on the metal, complemented by chasing techniques used to provide depth and texture.

The case includes a suspension loop, which brings the total height of the object to 7.6 cm. It carries London hallmarks corresponding to the 1811-1812 production period.

Evidence for this section
  • “Varicoloured gold case, engine-turned and chased”
  • “London hallmarks for 1811-12”

Movement and Escapement

The timepiece is powered by a movement featuring a duplex escapement. This mechanism is signed by the makers, Smith & Asprey, located on Bruton Street in London, and is identified by the serial number 3973.

The documentation indicates that the movement is not the original one for this case, although it is considered contemporary to the period of the watch's manufacture.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement with duplex escapement by Smith & Asprey, Bruton Street, no. 3973, contemporary but not original”
  • “signed 'Smith & Asprey. Bruton Street, London, 3973'”

Provenance and Documentation

The watch is catalogued by the Victoria and Albert Museum under the accession number M.1-1963. The object's history is tied to the collection through a gift from Mrs. Cynthia Chellini, facilitated by The Art Fund.

Official records confirm the manufacture date and location based on the hallmarks present on the gold case, which align with the 1811-1812 London assay cycle.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gift of Mrs Cynthia Chellini through The Art Fund”
  • “London hallmarks for 1811-12”

Open research questions

  • What are the specific metallurgical compositions of the different gold colours used in the case?
  • Is there evidence of the original case meant for the Smith & Asprey movement 3973 in other collections?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold Watch with Duplex Escapement by Smith & Asprey
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerSmith & Asprey“Smith & Asprey”
Accession NumberM.1-1963“M.1-1963”
Date1811-1812“1811-1812”
Place of originLondon, England“England, London, 1811-12”
EscapementDuplex“Movement with duplex escapement”
InscriptionSmith & Asprey. Bruton Street, London, 3973“signed 'Smith & Asprey. Bruton Street, London, 3973'”

Visible details

  • The balance cock is decorated with chased foliage and a face motif.
  • The movement plate features a regulator scale calibrated for 'Slow' and 'Fast'.
  • The case features engine-turned detailing on the exterior surface.
  • The movement includes blued steel screws securing the balance bridge and plates.

Research qualifications

  • The source explicitly notes the movement is contemporary but not original to the case.
  • The exact nature of the 'varicoloured' gold composition in the case is not specified.

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

Consulted source

Duplex Escapement

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record ed2c3ea019

Terms in this record

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

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