Pocket watch · Cylinder stop-watch

Pocket Stop Watch in Gold Case by George Graham

Partially verified

According to the Science Museum Group, this antique gold-cased pocket stop watch was made in London between 1730 and 1748 by George Graham. Recorded under movement number 6296, the timepiece features a cylinder escapement and is accompanied by an ornamental chain holding two watch keys. The watch is arranged with a protective outer case containing an inserted watchmaker trade paper. The white enamel dial is configured with Roman hour numerals, an outer ring of Arabic five-minute numerals, and blued hands. The object is in the Science Museum Group collection on credit from the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Oblique view of the gold-cased George Graham cylinder stop-watch, showing dial, chain with two keys, and open outer case with printed watch paper — Science Museum Group. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category: Pocket watch · Cylinder stop-watch
Maker / attribution: George Graham
Reference: 1953-380
Catalogue / lot identifier: Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date: 1730-1748
Country: United Kingdom
Source-reported serial: 6296

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 Attribution

This object is catalogued by the Science Museum Group as a pocket stop watch in a gold case, credited to the Victoria and Albert Museum under object number 1953-380. The museum dates its manufacture to between 1730 and 1748 in London by maker George Graham, citing the object as "Cylinder stop-watch by Geo. Graham, No.6296, with two keys on an ornamental chain."

The item is classified within the Time Measurement category under the subcategories of pocket watch and cylinder watch, comprising the cased watch alongside an ornamental linked chain carrying two keys.

Evidence for this section

“Pocket Stop Watch in Gold Case by George Graham, 1730-1748”
“Made: 1730-1748 in London”
“Cylinder stop-watch by Geo. Graham, No.6296, with two keys on an ornamental chain.”
“Object Number: 1953-380”
“credit: Victoria and Albert Museum”

Dial and External Construction

Direct observation of the front reveals a white enamel dial marked with black Roman numerals for the hours and an outer chapter ring displaying Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals. Time and stop indications are provided by central blued steel hands, including a stop-seconds hand.

The timepiece is set in a gold case and is accompanied by an open outer case. The museum records overall dimensions of 24 mm by 50 mm by 55 mm with a weight of .135 kg for the stop-watch, while the ornamental chain laid flat measures 15 mm by 188 mm by 43 mm.

Evidence for this section

“White enamel dial featuring black Roman hour numerals and an outer chapter ring with Arabic five-minute numerals.”
“Central blued steel hands including a stop-seconds hand.”
“overall (stop-watch): 24 mm x 50 mm x 55 mm, .135 kg”
“overall (chain, laid flat): 15 mm x 188 mm x 43 mm”

Case Interior and Trade Ephemera

The interior of the opened gold outer case encloses a round printed trade paper inscribed "Jn. Carlill / WATCH & CLOCK / MAKER / YORK". This printed insert documents association with a York-based trade entity rather than original London manufacture by Graham.

Visual inspection also notes a movement or inventory number marking '6296' partially visible along the case rim, corresponding to the institutional title referencing No.6296.

Evidence for this section

“Open gold outer case containing a printed watchmaker paper inscribed 'Jn. Carlill / WATCH & CLOCK / MAKER / YORK'.”
“Movement or inventory number marking '6296' partially visible on the case rim.”
“Cylinder stop-watch by Geo. Graham, No.6296, with two keys on an ornamental chain.”

Open research questions

What specific lever or slide mechanism actuates the stop-work on Graham No. 6296, and does it arrest the cylinder balance directly or an intermediate wheel?
What are the recorded operating dates and biographical details of watchmaker Jn. Carlill of York, and do they indicate when the trade paper was inserted into the outer case?
Are there internal London hallmarks or case maker's marks on the inner and outer gold cases to refine the date within Graham's 1730–1748 production range?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Pocket Stop Watch in Gold Case by George Graham
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	George Graham	“maker: George Graham”
Date of Manufacture	1730-1748	“Made: 1730-1748 in London”
Object Number	1953-380	“Object Number: 1953-380”
Movement Number	No.6296	“Cylinder stop-watch by Geo. Graham, No.6296, with two keys on an ornamental chain.”
Dimensions	24 mm x 50 mm x 55 mm, .135 kg	“overall (stop-watch): 24 mm x 50 mm x 55 mm, .135 kg”
Credit	Victoria and Albert Museum	“credit: Victoria and Albert Museum”
Chain Dimensions	15 mm x 188 mm x 43 mm	“overall (chain, laid flat): 15 mm x 188 mm x 43 mm”
Category	Time Measurement	“Category: Time Measurement”

Visible details

White enamel dial featuring black Roman hour numerals and an outer chapter ring with Arabic five-minute numerals.
Central blued steel hands including a stop-seconds hand.
Open gold outer case containing a printed watchmaker paper inscribed 'Jn. Carlill / WATCH & CLOCK / MAKER / YORK'.
Linked chain carrying two distinct metallic winding keys attached near the watch pendant.
Movement or inventory number marking '6296' partially visible on the case rim.

Research qualifications

The internal movement mechanism is not visible in the supplied photograph.
The watch paper inside the case back is from Jn. Carlill of York, indicating a later repairer or retailer rather than George Graham.

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

Consulted source

Pocket Stop Watch in Gold Case by George Graham, 1730-1748 | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 9a0fb4380a

Terms in this record

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