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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch

Mudge & Dutton quarter-repeating gold and agate pocket watch

Partially verified

This late eighteenth-century pocket watch is signed by the makers Mudge & Dutton and is presented in a pair case configuration. The timepiece features a full-plate movement with fire-gilt finish, fusee and chain transmission, a three-arm steel balance, a polished steel cylinder escapement, and a blued balance spring. The quarter-repeater mechanism is activated by pressing the pendant, which strikes a bell housed within the case. The watch is encased in 22-karat gold, with the inner case pierced to facilitate sound resonance and decorated with engraved floral motifs and dragons. The outer case features an ornate decorative program incorporating hexagonal gray agate panels, six oval banded agate sections, clear stone accents, and borders of blue sapphires around both the front and back bezels. The white enamel dial displays Roman and Arabic numerals, paired with beetle and poker style golden hands.

Detail view showing the elaborate outer case featuring hexagonal agate, sapphire borders, and clear stone accents.
Detail view showing the elaborate outer case featuring hexagonal agate, sapphire borders, and clear stone accents. — Zamanito. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Mudge & Dutton
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1780
Source-reported place
United Kingdom

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

Movement and Mechanism

The movement is constructed as a full-plate caliber finished with fire-gilding. It utilizes a traditional fusee and chain drive system to regulate the power delivery to the gear train. The timing is controlled by a three-arm steel balance oscillating in conjunction with a blued balance spring.

The timepiece employs a polished steel cylinder escapement. The repeating function is designed as a quarter-repeater, which generates an audible signal by striking a bell positioned internally. This mechanism is actuated by the user by depressing the pendant.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت از نوع تمام‌پلیت با آبکاری طلای آتشین”
  • “سازوکار فوزه و زنجیر”
  • “رقاصک استوانه‌ای (سیلندر) فولادی پولیش‌خورده”
  • “سیستم تکرارکننده ربع ساعتی ساعت با فشردن پندانت فعال شده و بر روی زنگی در درون قاب می‌نوازد”

Case and Decoration

The watch is housed within an elaborate pair case construction composed of 22-karat gold. The inner case is functional, featuring piercings around the sides that allow the sound of the internal bell to emerge clearly. Its surfaces are detailed with hand-engraved depictions of floral motifs and what are identified as fire dragons.

The outer case presents a high degree of decorative embellishment. It is centered by hexagonal gray agate panels and incorporates six oval-cut banded agates. The entire structure is outlined with borders of blue sapphires applied to both the front and rear bezels, complemented by additional clear stone settings.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب داخلی از طلای ۲۲ عیار بوده و کناره‌های آن برای طنین‌انداز شدن صدای زنگ مشبک شده”
  • “قلم‌زنی نقوش گیاهی و اژدهای آتشین”
  • “قاب بیرونی بسیار نفیس نیز با عقیق خاکستری شش‌ضلعی احاطه‌شده توسط یاقوت‌های کبود، شش قطعه عقیق نواری بیضی‌شکل”

Dial and Hands

The watch features a white enamel dial, providing a clear background for the time display. The layout includes Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the five-minute intervals.

To indicate the time, the dial is fitted with golden hands executed in the beetle and poker style, a common eighteenth-century configuration for high-quality timepieces.

Evidence for this section
  • “صفحه ساعت از لعاب سفید میناکاری با اعداد رومی و عربی”
  • “عقربه‌های طلایی طرح beetle and poker”

Open research questions

  • Are there any maker's marks or hallmarks visible on the inner casing to further confirm the dating?
  • What specific type of clear stones are used in the outer case embellishment?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Mudge & Dutton quarter-repeating gold and agate pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerMudge & Dutton“اثر سازندگان برجسته Mudge & Dutton”
Datecirca 1780“حدود ۱۷۸۰”
Case material22-karat gold“طلای ۲۲ عیار”
Movement typeFull-plate with fire-gilt finish“موتور ساعت از نوع تمام‌پلیت با آبکاری طلای آتشین”
EscapementCylinder“رقاصک استوانه‌ای (سیلندر) فولادی پولیش‌خورده”
ComplexityQuarter-repeater“سیستم تکرارکننده ربع ساعتی ساعت”
Outer case materialsGray agate, banded agate, sapphires, and clear stones“عقیق خاکستری شش‌ضلعی احاطه‌شده توسط یاقوت‌های کبود، شش قطعه عقیق نواری بیضی‌شکل، تزیینات سنگ‌های شفاف”

Visible details

  • Outer case decorated with hexagonal gray agate panels
  • Dial features both Roman and Arabic hour markers
  • Beetle and poker style hands in gold
  • Outer case borders inset with blue sapphires

Research qualifications

  • Exact date and origin are estimated as circa 1780
  • Specific metallurgical composition of the clear stone accents is not identified

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

Consulted source

Rare Gold and Agate Repeater by Mudge & Dutton

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record a468feb2e1

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

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