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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pendant watch

Pendant watch with date indicator, moon ring, and aspectarium

Partially verified

This pendant watch, catalogued as object BK-15066, is an oval timepiece created by Wybe Wijbrants of Leeuwarden, dated circa 1610. The case is constructed from copper with chased silver vine ornamentation in relief. Both covers feature painted female busts; one depicts a figure with a winged cap and ruff collar, while the second features a figure with a diadem and a ruff collar, noted as a later addition. The oval dial is chased with leaf motifs and features a silver ring with engraved Roman numerals alongside a rotatable pinion indicating the months. It uses a single hand for time indication. The internal plate, featuring a long cock, is signed with the Latinized inscription 'W. Vibrandi, Leouardiae'. It was acquired by the Rijksmuseum via the Maurits Elzas legacy in 1937.

Oval pendant watch with open cover showing the dial, single hand, and painted portrait.
Oval pendant watch with open cover showing the dial, single hand, and painted portrait. — Rijksmuseum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.rijksmuseum.nl
Category
Pocket watch · Pendant watch
Maker / attribution
Wybe Wijbrants
Reference
BK-15066
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-15066
Source-reported date
ca. 1610
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

Case and Exterior Construction

The watch is housed in an oval case constructed primarily of copper. The carrure is decorated with silver vine ornamentation that has been chased and applied in relief. The design incorporates two covers, each featuring a painted portrait of a female bust on its interior.

The portraits show distinct costumes; one figure is depicted wearing a winged cap and a molenrader (millstone) ruff, while the second figure wears a diadem and a collar that closes around the shoulders. The documentation identifies the second portrait as a later addition to the watch case.

Evidence for this section
  • “Ovaal koperen horloge, de carrure met geciseleerde zilveren ranken en reliëf versierd.”
  • “In de beide deksels zijn vrouwenbusten geschilderd”
  • “één met vleugelmuts en molenkraag, de tweede met een diadeem en een om de schouders sluitende kraag (van later datum)”

Dial and Timekeeping

The dial is oval in shape and features chased leaf motifs. The time is displayed on a silver ring with engraved Roman numerals. The watch utilizes a single hand for reading time.

A rotatable pinion is also provided, which displays the months of the year, providing a multi-functional calendar aspect to the piece.

Evidence for this section
  • “De met bladvorm geciseleerde, ovale wijzerplaat is voorzien van een zilveren cijferring met ingegrifte Romeinse cijfers en een draaibaar rondsel met de maandcijfers.”
  • “Eén wijzer.”

Provenance and Documentation

The watch was part of the collection of Maurits Elzas of Arnhem, who lived from 1868 to 1937. Provenance records indicate it passed through Davidson in Amsterdam before being acquired by Elzas in 1925. Upon his death in 1937, the watch was bequeathed to the museum as part of a collection containing over 100 watches.

The object has been referenced in literature regarding Dutch horology of the Golden Age, including works by Linda Eversteijn and C. Spierdijk.

Evidence for this section
  • “from Davidson, Amsterdam, fl. 85, to Maurits Elzas (1868-1937), Arnhem, 1925”
  • “by whom bequeathed with 106 other watches, as part of the 'Maurits Elzas Collection', to the museum, 1937”
  • “Linda Eversteijn, 'Schoone horlogien' : Nederlandse horloges in de Gouden Eeuw, 2014”

Open research questions

  • What specific horological function is performed by the aspectarium mentioned in the title?
  • Is there evidence for the internal movement condition beyond the signed plate?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Pendant watch with date indicator, moon ring, and aspectarium
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerWybe Wijbrants“uurwerkmaker: Wybe Wijbrants, Leeuwarden”
Dateca. 1610“Datering ca. 1610”
SignatureW. Vibrandi, Leouardiae“signatuur, platine: ‘W. Vibrandi, Leouardiae’”
MaterialsSilver, copper, gilding, and oil paint“zilver, koper, deels verguld, en olieverf”
Case ConstructionOval copper case with silver vines“Ovaal koperen horloge, de carrure met geciseleerde zilveren ranken en reliëf versierd.”
Dial FeaturesSingle hand and silver numeral ring“voorzien van een zilveren cijferring met ingegrifte Romeinse cijfers”
ProvenanceMaurits Elzas Collection“legaat 1937”

Visible details

  • Oval dial chased with leaf motifs
  • Single hand for timekeeping
  • Painted female portrait on the interior cover
  • Silver numeral ring with engraved Roman numerals

Research qualifications

  • The second interior portrait is identified as a later addition.
  • The exact date of production is presented as a range of ca. 1610 to ca. 1625.

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

Consulted source

Pendant watch with date indicator, moon ring and aspectarium

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 86b7c710ae

Terms in this record

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

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