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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Gold watch with enamel plaque by Vulliamy

Partially verified

This gold pocket watch is attributed to the London-based watchmaker Justin Vulliamy. Dating to approximately 1777, the timepiece is housed in a gold case featuring the mark 'PM', identified as the casemaker Peter Mounier. A distinct feature of the watch is the enamel plaque mounted in the middle case, which is signed and dated 1777 by the Geneva-based artist Pierre François Marcinhès. The plaque displays an enamelled scene adapted from an artwork by Sir Joshua Reynolds, specifically the depiction of Miss Morris as 'Hope Nursing Love', which was originally exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1769. The watch incorporates decorative diamond elements. The internal movement is signed 'Justin Vulliamy, London, uin'. The physical dimensions of the object are recorded as 7.1 cm in height, 5.5 cm in width, and 2.5 cm in depth, documenting a collaboration between horological and artistic specialists of the period.

Gold pocket watch with diamond setting and enamel plaque, circa 1777.
Gold pocket watch with diamond setting and enamel plaque, circa 1777. — V&A Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.vam.ac.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Vulliamy & Son
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
LOAN:BARCLAYS BANK.2
Source-reported date
ca.1777
Source-reported place
London

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 Enamel Work

The watch case is constructed from gold and heavily decorated with diamonds, which are set around the central enamel plaque and adorn the pendant bow. A striking element of the exterior design is the blue enamel border featuring intricate gold scrollwork, providing a contrast to the central figurative panel.

The central plaque, signed and dated 1777 by Pierre François Marcinhès of Geneva, provides the primary visual focus for the object. The enamel painting is a direct adaptation of a scene from the artist Sir Joshua Reynolds, illustrating Miss Morris in the character of 'Hope Nursing Love', a work that had been previously displayed at the Royal Academy in 1769.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold decorated with diamonds with an enamel plaque”
  • “enamel plaque signed and dated 1777 by Pierre François Marcinhès of Geneva”
  • “The enamel plaque depicts a scxene adapted from Sir Joshua Reynolds of Miss Morris as 'Hope Nursing Love'”

Signatures and Identifications

The object displays signatures associated with both its horological production and its decorative assembly. The watch movement bears the signature 'Justin Vulliamy, London, uin', placing the technical production within this London workshop. The case itself contains the punch mark 'PM', which is identified in the provenance as the mark of the London casemaker Peter Mounier.

The enamel plaque serves as a third point of identification, carrying both the signature of the artist Pierre François Marcinhès and the date 1777. These marks collectively associate the finished timepiece with three distinct specialists: Vulliamy for the watchmaking, Mounier for the case construction, and Marcinhès for the decorative enamel work.

Evidence for this section
  • “signed 'Justin Vulliamy, London, uin'”
  • “mark 'PM' for Peter Mounier, London”
  • “signed and dated 1777 by Pierre François Marcinhès of Geneva”

Provenance and Documentation

The object is currently held within the V&A collection under the accession number LOAN:BARCLAYS BANK.2, indicating it is on loan to the institution. The documentation provided confirms the materials used as gold, diamonds, and enamel, and establishes the dimensions for the watch, which stands 7.1 cm tall.

The records trace the object back to its 18th-century origins, citing the specific Royal Academy exhibition of 1769 as the source of the artistic inspiration for the plaque.

Evidence for this section
  • “Accession number: LOAN:BARCLAYS BANK.2”
  • “Gold decorated with diamonds with an enamel plaque”
  • “exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1769”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the 'uin' abbreviation following the London signature on the movement?
  • Are there further records of collaboration between Pierre François Marcinhès and the Vulliamy workshop?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold watch with enamel plaque by Vulliamy
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJustin Vulliamy, London“signed 'Justin Vulliamy, London, uin'”
CasemakerPeter Mounier“casemaker's mark 'PM' for Peter Mounier, London”
Enamel ArtistPierre François Marcinhès“signed and dated 1777 by Pierre François Marcinhès of Geneva”
Dateca.1777“ca.1777”
Place of originLondon“London (made)”
MaterialsGold, diamonds, enamel“Gold decorated with diamonds with an enamel plaque”
Dimensions7.1 cm x 5.5 cm x 2.5 cm“Height: 7.1 cm; Width: 5.5 cm; Depth: 2.5 cm”
IconographyHope Nursing Love (after Sir Joshua Reynolds)“depicts a scxene adapted from Sir Joshua Reynolds of Miss Morris as 'Hope Nursing Love'”

Visible details

  • Blue enamel border with scrollwork
  • Enamel plaque depicting a figure
  • Diamonds set around the plaque and on the pendant
  • 'PM' mark stamped on internal case

Research qualifications

  • Uncertain extent of original vs later decorative modifications
  • The specific nature of the 'uin' inscription on the movement remains unexplained

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

Consulted source

Watch

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 50e66af3e2

Terms in this record

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

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