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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Watch movement

Movement of a gentleman's watch

Partially verified

This horological object consists of the movement of a gentleman's watch, accompanied by seven loose, small components. Attributed to an anonymous maker and dated circa 1850, the movement measures five centimeters in diameter and one centimeter in height. The assembly is part of the Maurits Elzas Collection held at the Rijksmuseum, bequeathed to the institution in 1937. The movement appears to be in an incomplete, disassembled state, as indicated by the accompanying detached parts visible in the photographic documentation. Its history includes ownership by Maurits Elzas, who acquired the piece from the dealer Basch in Leerdam in 1922 before it became part of the broader museum collection of over one hundred watches.

The movement of a gentleman's watch with an auxiliary gear and a small metal component, viewed from above.
The movement of a gentleman's watch with an auxiliary gear and a small metal component, viewed from above. — Rijksmuseum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.rijksmuseum.nl
Category
Movement · Watch movement
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-15041-2
Source-reported date
ca. 1850
Source-reported place
Netherlands

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 Composition

The object is identified as a watch movement for a gentleman's watch, characterized by its circular construction. It measures 5 cm in diameter and 1 cm in height. The structure is composed of a brass frame with various wheel trains and mounting points for bridge components.

Accompanying the main movement assembly are seven separate, small components. The visual evidence shows the presence of a detached gear and a small, needle-like element resting next to the primary movement, confirming the disassembled nature of the item.

Evidence for this section
  • “Uurwerk van herenhorloge met zeven losse, kleine onderdelen.”
  • “diameter 5 cm x hoogte 1 cm”

Historical Context and Provenance

The movement was acquired as part of the Maurits Elzas Collection, which was bequeathed to the museum in 1937. Maurits Elzas, a collector based in Arnhem, had previously acquired the item from the dealer Basch in Leerdam in 1922.

The collection includes over 106 watches, of which this movement is recorded as a distinct part. The acquisition records reflect the provenance of the piece prior to its entry into the public domain through the museum's holdings.

Evidence for this section
  • “Collectie Maurits Elzas, Arnhem”
  • “from the dealer Basch, Leerdam, fl. 5, to Maurits Elzas (1868-1937), Arnhem, 1922”
  • “by whom bequeathed with 106 other watches, as part of the 'Maurits Elzas Collection', to the museum, 1937”

Attribution and Documentation

The work is attributed to an anonymous maker. The dating is estimated at circa 1850, placing the construction in the mid-nineteenth century.

The object is indexed in the museum database under the registration number BK-15041-2. It is classified within the collection as an horological movement for a gentleman's watch.

Evidence for this section
  • “anoniem, ca. 1850”
  • “Objectnummer BK-15041-2”

Open research questions

  • What specific type of escapement was originally fitted to this caliber?
  • Which of the seven loose components belong to the primary movement versus other watch assemblies?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Movement of a gentleman's watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
TitleUurwerk van herenhorloge“Uurwerk van herenhorloge”
Dateca. 1850“ca. 1850”
Object IDBK-15041-2“BK-15041-2”
Dimensions5 cm diameter, 1 cm height“diameter 5 cm x hoogte 1 cm”
ProvenanceMaurits Elzas Collection“Collectie Maurits Elzas, Arnhem”
AcquisitionBequest 1937“legaat 1937”
Makeranonymous“anoniem”

Visible details

  • Brass mainplate and bridge construction
  • Visible central wheel, third wheel, and fourth wheel assemblies
  • Detached gear wheel and small pointer-like component alongside main assembly
  • Circular frame with pillar-like spacing structures

Research qualifications

  • The identity of the original watchmaker remains anonymous
  • The exact functionality of the seven loose components in relation to the primary movement is not defined in the source

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

Consulted source

Movement of a gentleman's watch

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record d555523197

Terms in this record

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

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