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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement · Musical watch movement

Musical pocket watch mechanism, 1790-1800

Partially verified

The Science Museum Group holds this musical pocket watch mechanism, catalogued under object number 1920-527 and recorded as on loan from Bruno Roberts. According to museum records, it was made in Europe between 1790 and 1800 by an unknown maker and incorporates a cylinder escapement. Constructed from brass and steel, the movement measures approximately 9 mm in thickness by 46 mm in diameter. The unmounted mechanism exhibits circular brass plates with engraved foliage and scrollwork, accompanied by visible steel springs, levers, and pinned perimeter apertures.

Angled view of musical pocket watch mechanism 1920-527 showing engraved brass plates and steel levers
Angled view of musical pocket watch mechanism 1920-527 showing engraved brass plates and steel levers — The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Movement · Musical watch movement
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1920-527
Source-reported date
1790-1800
Country
Europe

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

Identity and Recorded Provenance

Held by the Science Museum Group under object number 1920-527, this object is catalogued as a musical pocket watch mechanism dating to 1790–1800. The museum records its place of manufacture as Europe, with the maker catalogued as unknown.

The movement is recorded as being on loan from Bruno Roberts. Within institutional classification, it is indexed under the category 'Time Measurement' and typed as 'movement - clockwork and cylinder watch'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Musical Pocket Watch Mechanism, 1790-1800”
  • “Made: 1790-1800 in Europe”
  • “maker: Unknown”
  • “Object Number: 1920-527”
  • “Category: Time Measurement”
  • “type: movement - clockwork and cylinder watch”
  • “credit: On loan from Bruno Roberts”

Observed Construction and Mechanism Features

The primary movement element, catalogued under object number 1920-527/1, is constructed from brass (copper, zinc alloy) and steel, with museum measurements of 9 mm by 46 mm and a weight of .04 kg. Technical descriptions record it as incorporating a cylinder escapement.

Visible physical features include a circular brass movement plate with engraved floral and scroll motifs on elevated circular covers. The assembly exhibits exposed steel levers, detents, and pinion components mounted directly to the plate surface, a visible blued screw or mounting component, and a perimeter ring perforated with rows of tuned musical comb pin holes around the outer edge.

Evidence for this section
  • “Object Number: 1920-527/1”
  • “Measurements: overall: 9 mm 46 mm, .04 kg”
  • “Materials: brass (copper, zinc alloy) and steel”
  • “cylinder escapement”
  • “Circular brass movement plate with engraved floral and scroll motifs on the elevated circular covers”
  • “Perimeter ring perforated with rows of tuned musical comb pin holes around the outer edge”
  • “Exposed steel levers, detents, and pinion components mounted directly to the plate surface”
  • “Visible blued screw or mounting component set into the upper plate”

Associated Sub-Assemblies and Documentation Limits

A separate sub-entry, object number 1920-527/2, catalogues 'Parts, including a wheel and mainwheel, for Musical watch, cylinder escapement, about 1790-1800'. Dimensions for these detached parts are listed as 4 mm x 21 mm x 10 mm (0.001 kg) for the mainwheel and 2 mm by 15 mm (0.001 kg) for the wheel.

The surviving item consists of an unmounted mechanism; an outer casing, dial, hands, and suspension elements are not recorded in this catalog entry. The museum also notes that records are continuously updated and accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Evidence for this section
  • “Parts, including a wheel and mainwheel, for Musical watch, cylinder escapement, about 1790-1800”
  • “Measurements: overall (mainweel): 4 mm x 21 mm x 10 mm, 0.001 kg overall (wheel): 2 mm 15 mm, 0.001 kg”
  • “Object Number: 1920-527/2”
  • “please note that we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information shown on this website.”

Open research questions

  • What specific musical tune is programmed into the pin pattern on the perimeter disc?
  • Are any maker marks, serial numbers, or regional stamps concealed under the engraved plates or dial side?
  • Did the original complete watch possess a specific European national origin within Europe, such as Swiss or French manufacture?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Musical pocket watch mechanism, 1790-1800
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Date1790-1800“Made: 1790-1800”
Place of manufactureEurope“in Europe”
MakerUnknown“maker: Unknown”
Object number1920-527“Object Number: 1920-527”
Materialsbrass and steel“Materials: brass (copper, zinc alloy) and steel”
Escapementcylinder escapement“cylinder escapement”
Loan creditOn loan from Bruno Roberts“credit: On loan from Bruno Roberts”
Primary movement weight0.04 kg“Measurements: overall: 9 mm 46 mm, .04 kg”
Movement sub-number1920-527/1“Object Number: 1920-527/1”
Detached parts sub-number1920-527/2“Object Number: 1920-527/2”
Material breakdownBrass (copper, zinc alloy) and steel“Materials: brass (copper, zinc alloy) and steel”

Visible details

  • Circular brass movement plate with engraved floral and scroll motifs on the elevated circular covers
  • Perimeter ring perforated with rows of tuned musical comb pin holes around the outer edge
  • Exposed steel levers, detents, and pinion components mounted directly to the plate surface
  • Visible blued screw or mounting component set into the upper plate

Research qualifications

  • Maker is recorded as unknown by the museum
  • Casing, dial, hands, and suspension elements are absent
  • Associated separate components (including a wheel and mainwheel) are recorded under sub-number 1920-527/2

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

Consulted source

Musical Pocket Watch Mechanism, 1790-1800 | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8f268c9a03

Terms in this record

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