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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Men's watch of gilded copper

Partially verified

This horological object is a men's watch composed of gilded copper. Currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, under accession number BK-15078, the timepiece is documented as dating to the period between circa 1640 and circa 1660. The physical construction features an exterior case finished with a gilded surface, measuring 5.6 cm in diameter, 7.3 cm in height, 5.7 cm in width, and 3.5 cm in depth. The reverse of the watch case is decorated with a tendril ornament motif set against a granulated background. As the source documentation is derived from museum catalogue records, further horological assessment is required to verify the internal mechanisms, potential maker attributions, and the historical classification of the object within the broader context of 17th-century timekeeping devices.

A front-view photograph of the gilded copper pocket watch showing the dial with Roman numerals.
A front-view photograph of the gilded copper pocket watch showing the dial with Roman numerals. — 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-15078
Source-reported date
c. 1640 - c. 1660
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 Dimensions

The object is identified as a men's watch, constructed primarily from copper and finished with gilding. It possesses a circular case configuration with a suspension ring, as shown in the available documentation and photography. The object measures 5.6 cm in diameter, 7.3 cm in height, 5.7 cm in width, and 3.5 cm in depth.

The reverse side of the case exhibits a decorative scheme described as a tendril ornament.

Evidence for this section
  • “Men's watch of gilded copper.”
  • “On the back, tendril ornament against a granulated background.”
  • “measurements diameter 5.6 cm x height 7.3 cm x width 5.7 cm x depth 3.5 cm.”

Provenance and Documentation

The watch is maintained within the permanent collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. It is assigned the museum object number BK-15078. The documentation provided for this record relies upon the museum's catalogue information.

The record is classified by the institution under the categories of wrist watch and jewellery. Current available information notes that the description provided is a translation of the museum's Dutch catalogue text.

Evidence for this section
  • “The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, holds this object as BK-15078”
  • “Museum classification wrist watch · jewellery”
  • “Description translated from the museum's Dutch catalogue text”

Historical Context and Verification

The object is dated to the mid-17th century, specifically between circa 1640 and circa 1660. Given the nature of the archival records, the specific workshop or maker remains unidentified in the provided source material.

While the object is catalogued as a museum piece, further research is required to determine the wider horological classification. The record explicitly suggests that details regarding how this specimen represents a wider type have not been independently verified.

Evidence for this section
  • “Period c. 1640 - c. 1660”
  • “details are those of this museum object, and how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.”
  • “confirm the wider type, maker attribution and specifications against horological references.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific movement configuration housed within the copper case?
  • Can the watch be attributed to a specific region or maker active between 1640 and 1660?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Men's watch of gilded copper
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Materialcopper (metal), gilding (material)“material recorded as copper (metal), gilding (material)”
Museum Object NumberBK-15078“The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, holds this object as BK-15078”
Diameter5.6 cm“diameter 5.6 cm”
Height7.3 cm“height 7.3 cm”
Techniquegilding“technique gild”
DecorationTendril ornament against a granulated background“On the back, tendril ornament against a granulated background.”
Datingc. 1640 - c. 1660“c. 1640 - c. 1660”

Visible details

  • Gilded copper case material
  • Roman numeral dial markings
  • Suspension ring attached to the top pendant
  • Tendril ornament on the case back

Research qualifications

  • The maker attribution remains unverified in current records.
  • The museum's classification includes 'wrist watch', which may require further verification regarding period-appropriate terminology.
  • The broader type or production origin is not definitively established.

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

Consulted source

Men's watch of gilded copper

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 0180be6f1c

Terms in this record

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

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