Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pair case verge pocket watch

Pair case verge pocket watch by John Ruxton

Partially verified

This pair case verge pocket watch, attributed to the maker John Ruxton, is dated to approximately 1780 and originated in Dublin. The object features a silver-gilt construction with an outer case finished in shagreen, which is stingray skin. The watch movement employs shaped square pillars and a pierced balance cock and foot. Time is indicated on an enamel dial that includes numerals marking five-minute intervals positioned outside the primary chapter ring. A worm gear is incorporated for the purpose of setting the mainspring. The inner case displays several illegible stamps, alongside the name "Lindsay Duncannon". The outer shagreen case is lined with a decorative watch paper. At the time of documentation, the watch lacks its glass covering and one of its hands. The watch is part of the collection of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, accessioned as 1954.26.1.

Pair case verge watch with the outer shagreen case open to reveal the movement and dial.
Pair case verge watch with the outer shagreen case open to reveal the movement and dial. — Auckland Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
commons.wikimedia.org
Category
Pocket watch · Pair case verge pocket watch
Maker / attribution
John Ruxton
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1954.26.1
Source-reported date
circa 1780
Source-reported place
Ireland
Source-reported serial
87

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 Construction

The object is a pair case verge pocket watch housed in a silver-gilt inner case. The outer protective case is covered in shagreen, which is identified in the source as stingray skin, and features an internal lining of watch paper at the back.

The dial is constructed from enamel and features standard markings for the hours alongside an auxiliary ring of Arabic numerals placed outside the main chapter ring to indicate five-minute intervals. The watch lacks its protective glass and is missing one of its hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “Pair case verge watch in silver gilt with shagreen (stingray skin) case”
  • “enamel dial with 5-minute numerals outside chapters”
  • “no glass covering, one hand missing”

Movement and Mechanism

The movement is a verge type, incorporating a pierced balance cock and foot. The mechanical architecture includes shaped square pillars to support the plates.

Internal components include a worm gear mechanism provided for the purpose of setting the mainspring. The back plate of the movement is inscribed with the serial number 87.

Evidence for this section
  • “shaped square pillars, enamel dial”
  • “worm gear for setting mainspring”
  • “serial no 87 on back plate”

Signatures and History

The watch is attributed to the maker John Ruxton and is recorded as having been created in Dublin, Ireland, circa 1780.

The inner case contains various stamps that remain illegible, although the name "Lindsay Duncannon" is associated with these markings in the catalogue records. The piece entered the collection of the Auckland War Memorial Museum as a gift from Mr. A. T. Pycroft in 1954.

Evidence for this section
  • “Artist John Ruxton”
  • “Place of creation Dublin”
  • “several marks stamped inside inner case illegible "Lindsay Duncannon”
  • “gift of Mr A T Pycroft, 1954”

Open research questions

  • What is the relationship between the inscribed name 'Lindsay Duncannon' and the maker John Ruxton?
  • Can the provenance of the watch be traced prior to its 1954 acquisition by the Auckland War Memorial Museum?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Pair case verge pocket watch by John Ruxton
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJohn Ruxton“Artist John Ruxton”
Datecirca 1780“Date circa 1780”
Place of creationDublin“Place of creation Dublin”
Case materialsSilver-gilt and shagreen“Pair case verge watch in silver gilt with shagreen (stingray skin) case”
Internal markingsSerial number 87 and illegible stamps“serial no 87 on back plate, several marks stamped inside inner case illegible "Lindsay Duncannon”
Accession number1954.26.1“Accession number 1954.26.1”
Dimensions65mm x 55mm x 18mm“height: 65mm width: 55mm depth: 18mm”

Visible details

  • Enamel dial with Arabic 5-minute indicators
  • Shagreen (stingray skin) outer case with watch paper lining
  • Pierced balance cock and foot on movement
  • One hand absent from the central arbor

Research qualifications

  • Stamps inside the inner case are described as illegible
  • Origin attributed to Dublin, though the maker's specific workshop is not detailed

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

Consulted source

Pair case silver-gilt and shagreen verge pocket watch

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 48839485a7

Terms in this record

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

Other pair case verge pocket watch records