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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Cylinder pocket watch with chatelaine

Pearl Set Gold and Enamel Cylinder with Chatelaine

Partially verified

This English pocket watch, dating to circa 1780, is presented as an ensemble with a matching chatelaine. The watch features a consular-style case finished with translucent dark blue enamel over a guilloché ground, embellished with split pearls and white enamel detailing. The reverse of the case contains a central diamond surrounded by pearls, with additional white metal diamond-set decorations. The movement is a full-plate fusee type incorporating a gilded dust cover, an engraved balance cock, a steel regulator, a three-armed steel balance, and a polished steel cylinder escapement with a large brass escape wheel. The white enamel dial is set with radial Arabic numerals and gold arrow-style hands, designed for front-winding. The accompanying chatelaine displays gold, enamel, pearls, diamonds, a hairwork locket, a seal, and a winding key. The ensemble is stored in a later-period red Moroccan leather case.

The complete watch and chatelaine set displayed in its case.
The complete watch and chatelaine set displayed in its case. — Zamanito. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Cylinder pocket watch with chatelaine
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1780
Source-reported place
England

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

The watch case is a consular type, characterized by its deep blue translucent enamel applied over a guilloché-engraved gold surface. The decorative scheme is defined by borders of large split pearls and accents of white enamel. The rear of the case incorporates a centerpiece featuring a large diamond surrounded by a ring of pearls, set against a backdrop of white metal diamond-set ornamentation. The front cover is spring-loaded, activated by a button on the oval gold and enamel pendant.

The dial is constructed of white enamel and designed for front-winding. It is marked with radial Arabic numerals and utilizes gold arrow-pattern hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب کنسولار ساعت با لایه‌ای از مینای آبی تیره شفاف بر روی زمینه‌ای موتورچین (Guilloché) پوشانده شده و حاشیه‌های آن با ردیفی از مرواریدهای شکافته درشت و نوارهای باریک مینای سفید احاطه گردیده است”
  • “در پشت قاب، تزیینات فلز سفید مزین به الماس و در مرکز آن قطعه‌ای الماس با قطر بزرگ در میان حلقه‌ای از مرواریدها قرار دارد”
  • “صفحه مینای سفید ساعت امکان کوک از جلو را فراهم می‌کند و با اعداد عربی با چیدمان شعاعی و عقربه‌های پیکانی طلا تزیین شده است”

Movement and Mechanism

The timepiece is powered by a full-plate fusee movement, a standard configuration for the period, which is equipped with a gilded dust cover to protect the delicate internal components. The balance assembly consists of an engraved pierced balance cock, a steel regulator mounted on the top plate, and a simple three-armed steel balance wheel.

The escapement is a polished steel cylinder type, which acts upon a large brass escape wheel. This combination represents the movement technology utilized in the late 18th century to provide timekeeping functionality within decorative, often ornate, cases.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت از نوع فیوزی تمام‌پلیت (Full plate fusee) با حلقه محافظ گردوغبار طلااندود است”
  • “این مجموعه به خروس گردِ مشبک و حکاکی‌شده، رگولاتور فولادی روی پلیت فوقانی، رقاصک ساده سه‌بازویی فولادی و چرخ‌دنگ سیلندری از فولاد صیقلی با چرخ دنگ برنجی بزرگ مجهز شده است”

Chatelaine and Accessories

The accompanying chatelaine serves as the mounting point for the watch and various functional accessories. It comprises a gold-plated clip attached to an oval gold and enamel cartouche, further decorated with small diamonds. The structure is supported by pearl-strung chains connecting to an octagonal cartouche, which features a woven hair locket framed by diamond chips.

Four additional pearl strands suspend two bell-shaped pendants, a gold and enamel seal, and the matching winding key. The entire assembly is housed in a later-period presentation box, finished in red Moroccan leather with a grey velvet lining and a folding support base, providing a protective environment for the complete set.

Evidence for this section
  • “شاتلن این مجموعه دارای گیره طلااندود متصل به کارتوش بیضی طلا و مینا است که با الماس‌های ریز تزیین شده”
  • “در مرکز این قطعه دسته‌ای موی بافته‌شده درون حاشیه‌ای از تراشه‌های الماس قرار گرفته است”
  • “چهار رشته مروارید نیز دو آویز زنگوله‌ای شکل، مهری از طلا و مینا و کلید کوک هماهنگ را آویخته نگه می‌دارند”
  • “جعبه نمایش متأخر ساعت دارای روکش چرم قرمز مراکشی، پوشش مخمل خاکستری و پایه تاشو است”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific mark, if any, on the gold seal?
  • Does the movement contain any hidden maker's marks or initials on the plates?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Pearl Set Gold and Enamel Cylinder with Chatelaine
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
EscapementCylinder escapement“چرخ‌دنگ سیلندری از فولاد صیقلی با چرخ دنگ برنجی بزرگ”
Case styleConsular“قاب کنسولار ساعت با لایه‌ای از مینای آبی تیره شفاف بر روی زمینه‌ای موتورچین (Guilloché) پوشانده شده”
Chatelaine inclusionsGold seal and winding key“دو آویز زنگوله‌ای شکل، مهری از طلا و مینا و کلید کوک هماهنگ را آویخته نگه می‌دارند”
Movement detailsGilded dust cover“حلقه محافظ گردوغبار طلااندود”

Visible details

  • Case features guilloché pattern under translucent dark blue enamel
  • Integrated chatelaine includes multiple attachments including seal and key
  • Central diamond and pearl cluster on the case back
  • Chatelaine contains a locket featuring woven hair

Research qualifications

  • The exact identity of the maker is not stated in the source
  • The provenance of the hairwork locket is not documented

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

Consulted source

Pearl Set Gold and Enamel Cylinder with Chatelaine

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record d0168e2c88

Terms in this record

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