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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter-cased pocket watch

Mappin & Webb Gents Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This gents pocket watch is a hunter-cased timepiece featuring a white enamel dial with Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the six o'clock mark. The watch is signed 'Mappin & Webb Ltd, London' on both the dial and the back plate. It is wound via a stem and button mechanism and operates using a lever escapement and a bimetallic balance. The gold hunter case bears an engraved monogram consisting of an 'A' interlaced with a 'J', with the year '1913' engraved below. The case interior is marked with the initials 'J.R.' and the serial number '11064', which is also present on the back plate. Hallmarked in London for 1909, the watch was donated to the collection in 1941 by Mr. John Askew. Its external dimensions measure approximately 7.5 cm in length and 5.2 cm in outside diameter.

Hunter-cased pocket watch by Mappin & Webb with an engraved monogram on the front cover, dated 1913.
Hunter-cased pocket watch by Mappin & Webb with an engraved monogram on the front cover, dated 1913. — Museums Victoria. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.museumsvictoria.com.au
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter-cased pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Mappin & Webb Ltd
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
ST 21618
Source-reported date
circa 1909
Source-reported place
England
Source-reported serial
11064

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 Design

The watch is housed in a gold hunter case, which protects the dial behind a hinged metal cover. The exterior of the hunter case features a personalized engraving consisting of the letters 'A' and 'J' interlaced, with the date '1913' prominently displayed underneath. This cover opens to reveal a white enamel dial marked with black Roman numerals.

A subsidiary seconds dial is located at the base of the main dial at the 6 o'clock position. The dial surface is signed with the retailer's name, 'Mappin & Webb Ltd, London'. The case interior contains additional identifying marks, including the initials 'J.R.' and the serial number '11064'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold hunter case is marked with 'A' interlaced with 'J' with '1913' beneath.”
  • “White enamel dial had roman numerals and seconds dial at 6.”
  • “Dial is marked 'Mappin & Webb Ltd, London'.”

Movement and Mechanism

The internal movement of the watch is powered by a mainspring, which is wound through the stem and button mechanism located at the top of the case. The watch utilizes a lever escapement to regulate the release of energy, paired with a bimetallic balance wheel, a configuration intended for temperature compensation in timekeeping.

The movement is marked with the retailer's details and specific identifier numbers. The back plate displays the inscription 'Mappin & Webb Ltd, London', the serial number '11064', and

Evidence for this section
  • “Stem and button wound spring; lever escapement. Bimetallic balance.”
  • “Back plate is marked 'Mappin & Webb Ltd, London', '11064' and 'Royal'.”

Hallmarks and Documentation

The watch casing provides historical information through a series of stamps and hallmarks. Inside the gold case, there is a mark consisting of a crown and the number 18, accompanied by the London hallmark specifically for the year 1909. This provides evidence for both the composition and the date of manufacture.

The object was acquired by the museum in 1941 via a donation from Mr. John Askew. The piece is recorded under the registration number ST 21618.

Evidence for this section
  • “It is also marked with a crown and 18 and has London hallmark for 1909.”
  • “Acquisition: Donation from Mr John Askew, 17 Mar 1941”
  • “Mappin & Webb established 1858. Royal warrants received 1897.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific model or grade represented by the 'Royal' mark on the movement?
  • Are the 'J.R.' initials inside the case related to the original owner or the watchmaker?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Mappin & Webb Gents Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Registration numberST 21618“Registration number: ST 21618”
MakerMappin & Webb Ltd“Association: type: Retailer, name: Mappin & Webb Ltd”
Datecirca 1909“Pocket Watch - Mappin & Webb, London, circa 1909”
Serial number11064“Back plate is marked 'Mappin & Webb Ltd, London', '11064' and 'Royal'.”
Case materialGold“Gold hunter case is marked with 'A' interlaced with 'J' with '1913' beneath.”
Movement typeLever escapement“Stem and button wound spring; lever escapement.”
HallmarksLondon hallmark for 1909“It is also marked with a crown and 18 and has London hallmark for 1909.”
ProvenanceDonated by Mr John Askew, 1941“Acquisition: Donation from Mr John Askew, 17 Mar 1941”

Visible details

  • Engraved monogram 'AJ' with '1913' on the hunter cover
  • White enamel dial with Roman numeral indices
  • Subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position
  • Stem and button winding crown

Research qualifications

  • The exact horological function of the 'Royal' mark on the back plate is not specified
  • The specific significance of the 'J.R.' initials inside the case remains undocumented

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

Consulted source

Pocket Watch - Mappin & Webb, London, circa 1909

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record cdb5d5522b

Terms in this record

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

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