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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Herenhorloge

Partially verified

This men's pocket watch is a gold timepiece dating to the period between 1800 and 1900. It is held within the collection of the Rijksmuseum and was part of the Maurits Elzas collection bequeathed to the museum in 1937. The watch features a gold case with a smooth back. Its most distinct feature is the decorated enamel dial, which displays a central white circular section containing black Arabic numerals for the hours. This circular dial is surrounded by a lila-colored rosette pattern set against a black ground, finished with a dotted border. The winding mechanism is positioned at the top of the case. The movement and internal mechanisms of the watch are not described or visible in the provided documentation, and the maker remains anonymous.

Enamel-decorated pocket watch with lila rosette and white central dial.
Enamel-decorated pocket watch with lila rosette and white central dial. — Rijksmuseum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.rijksmuseum.nl
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-15056
Source-reported date
ca. 1800 - ca. 1900
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

Case and Dial

The pocket watch is crafted from gold and features a smooth, unadorned back. Its most prominent design element is the decorative enamel dial. The dial layout includes a central white circular ground upon which black Arabic numerals are marked to indicate the hours.

This central circle is surrounded by a stylized lila-colored rosette, which is applied over a black enamel ground. The winding mechanism is located at the top of the case, connected to a traditional bow.

Evidence for this section
  • “Herenhorloge van goud, met gladde achterbodem.”
  • “De geëmailleerde wijzerplaat heeft een wit rondsel met Arabische uurcijfers, in een lila rozet op een zwarte grond.”

Provenance and Collection

This watch was formerly part of the collection assembled by Maurits Elzas (1868-1937) of Arnhem. Historical records indicate that the watch was acquired by Elzas in 1924 from an anonymous seller in Munich for 85 guilders.

In 1937, the watch was bequeathed to the Rijksmuseum as part of a significant group consisting of 106 other timepieces, collectively known as the Maurits Elzas Collection. This acquisition is documented in the museum's inventory under object number BK-15056.

Evidence for this section
  • “Collectie Maurits Elzas, Arnhem”
  • “from an anonymous seller, Munich, fl. 85, to Maurits Elzas (1868-1937), Arnhem, 1924”
  • “by whom bequeathed with 106 other watches, as part of the 'Maurits Elzas Collection', to the museum, 1937”

Attribution and Dating

The object is currently catalogued as the work of an anonymous maker. No hallmarks, signatures, or specific manufacturer marks have been identified or recorded in the provided documentation.

Due to the absence of specific identifying marks, the dating of the watch remains broad, estimated between approximately 1800 and 1900.

Evidence for this section
  • “anoniem”
  • “ca. 1800 - ca. 1900”

Open research questions

  • What is the internal movement configuration and type of escapement used in this watch?
  • Are there any hidden maker's marks or serial numbers located on the inner case plates or movement bridges?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Herenhorloge
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Object numberBK-15056“BK-15056”
MaterialGold“Herenhorloge van goud”
Dial descriptionWhite central circle with Arabic numerals“De geëmailleerde wijzerplaat heeft een wit rondsel met Arabische uurcijfers”
Case descriptionSmooth back“met gladde achterbodem”
DecorationLila rosette on black ground“in een lila rozet op een zwarte grond”
ProvenanceMaurits Elzas Collection“part of the 'Maurits Elzas Collection'”
AcquisitionBequeathed to the museum in 1937“legaat 1937”

Visible details

  • Gold case with smooth finish
  • Enamelled dial featuring a lila rosette on a black background
  • Arabic numerals on a white central circular dial
  • Winding stem and bow positioned at the top

Research qualifications

  • The maker is identified only as anonymous, leaving the origin unconfirmed
  • The dating is broad, covering a century of potential production

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

Consulted source

Men's watch, c. 1800 - c. 1900

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 1f07f888af

Terms in this record

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

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