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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Pocket watch by Gottfred Henrik Klein

Partially verified

This pocket watch, held in the Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum collection (accession NK1911-215), is attributed to the maker Gottfred Henrik Klein. Documentation provided by the museum indicates that the watch exhibits a composite construction: the movement is identified as Danish, while the outer case is described as English work. The object dates to the period between 1755 and 1765. The dial displays a central signed plate and an outer chapter ring with Arabic numeral minute markers and Roman numeral hour markers, featuring blued steel hands. The piece was acquired by the museum in July 1911 as part of the Hans Ellefsen Dedekam collection. Its history has been recorded in various institutional publications, including the 1912 and 1913 museum yearbooks, as well as the 2021 publication "Ta Deg TID".

Front view of the pocket watch showing the dial, hands, and decorative outer casing.
Front view of the pocket watch showing the dial, hands, and decorative outer casing. — Beer, Freia / Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
digitaltmuseum.no
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Gottfred Henrik Klein
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
NK1911-215
Source-reported date
1755 - 1765
Source-reported place
Denmark/United Kingdom

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 pocket watch features a highly decorative metal outer case characterized by intricate relief-molded patterns. The design reflects a construction method where the case is identified as English in origin, contrasting with the interior mechanism.

The dial consists of a gilded surface with an engraved central plate bearing the maker's signature. A chapter ring is divided into Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the five-minute increments. The time is indicated by blued steel hands, which contrast against the metallic gold-toned background of the dial plate.

Evidence for this section
  • “Ytterkassen er engelsk arbeid, mens urverket er dansk.”

Movement and Origin

The internal clockwork mechanism is documented as being of Danish manufacture. This attribution to Danish production is maintained by the museum's records, which distinguish the movement from the English-made housing.

The watch is attributed to Gottfred Henrik Klein. The production window is dated between 1755 and 1765, supported by the museum's internal protocol records referencing the piece during this era.

Evidence for this section
  • “urverket er dansk”
  • “Produksjon: 1755 - 1765”

Provenance and Documentation

The watch entered the Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum collection on July 7, 1911, as part of the collection created by Hans Ellefsen Dedekam. The piece has been documented in several institutional publications over the last century.

References include the 1912 Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum Aarbog and the 1913 Aarbog containing the inventory of the museum's watch collection. More recent scholarship includes its appearance in the 2021 publication "Ta Deg TID".

Evidence for this section
  • “Proveniens: July 7, 1911”
  • “Dedekam, Hans. "Fortegnelse over Nordenfj. Kunstindustrimuseums ursamling" i "Aarbog 1912”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks or maker's marks are present on the inner case back to confirm the English origin?
  • Does the movement contain any specific signature or numbering that links it directly to Gottfred Henrik Klein beyond the dial signature?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Pocket watch by Gottfred Henrik Klein
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerGottfred Henrik Klein“Klein, Gottfred Henrik”
Date1755-1765“Produksjon: 1755 - 1765”
Accession NumberNK1911-215“NK1911-215”
Movement OriginDanish“urverket er dansk”
Case OriginEnglish“Ytterkassen er engelsk arbeid”
Acquisition DateJuly 7, 1911“July 7, 1911”
CollectionNordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum“Nordenfjeldske Kunstindustrimuseum”

Visible details

  • Gilded metal dial with engraved central decoration
  • Roman numeral hour track with Arabic numeral minutes
  • Ornate metal casing with decorative relief work
  • Blued steel hands

Research qualifications

  • The exact origin of the internal movement components is not specified beyond the national attribution
  • The distinction between the English case and Danish movement suggests potential historical assembly or repair practices

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

Consulted source

Pocket watch by Klein, Gottfred Henrik, 1755

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record e02d1957c1

Terms in this record

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

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