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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Cylinder pocket watch

Pocket Watch in Silver Case, by George Graham, 1725-1750

Partially verified

This antique silver-cased cylinder pocket watch is attributed by the Science Museum Group to maker George Graham of London, dated between 1725 and 1750. Catalogued under object number 1916-146, the timepiece is constructed from silver and unspecified metal, measuring 25 mm by 58 mm by 62 mm with a mass of 0.09 kg. The front features a relief or engraved silver dial with Roman numerals for the hours, outer Arabic numerals marking five-minute increments, and signature cartouches reading 'Graham' and 'London'. According to museum documentation, the movement is numbered 5223 and suffers from a broken escape wheel arbor and missing chain.

Front view of open silver-cased pocket watch displaying the engraved silver dial and crystal bezel
Front view of open silver-cased pocket watch displaying the engraved silver dial and crystal bezel — The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Cylinder pocket watch
Maker / attribution
George Graham
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1916-146
Source-reported date
1725-1750
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
5223

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 timepiece is recorded by the Science Museum Group as a cylinder watch in a silver case, catalogued under object number 1916-146 and credited to Mr. Evan Roberts. The museum record attributes the maker as George Graham, associated with London, and notes movement number 5223.

Dating information provided in the museum entry spans two ranges: the record title specifies 1725–1750, whereas the formal production details list '1701-1800 in London'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cylinder watch in silver case by Geo. Graham, London, no.5223”
  • “maker: George Graham”
  • “Made: 1701-1800 in London”
  • “credit: Mr. Evan Roberts”

Casing and Dial Configuration

The catalogued materials are recorded as 'metal (unknown) and silver', with overall dimensions given as 25 mm by 58 mm by 62 mm and a mass of .09kg. Visual observation shows the hinged front bezel opened, revealing a fitted circular glass crystal.

The dial is silver with a Roman numeral hour chapter, outer Arabic numerals indicating five-minute intervals, and cartouches reading 'Graham' and 'London'. Darkened hands are visible at the dial center, and a pendant with bow is positioned at the top alongside a visible hinge at the upper edge of the dial plate.

Evidence for this section
  • “Materials: metal (unknown) and silver”
  • “Measurements: overall: 25 mm x 58 mm x 62 mm, .09kg”
  • “Hinged front bezel opened showing a fitted circular glass crystal.”
  • “Silver dial with Roman numeral hour chapter, outer Arabic five-minute numerals, and cartouches reading 'Graham' and 'London'.”
  • “Pendant with bow at the top and a visible hinge at the upper edge of the dial plate.”
  • “Darkened hands centered on the dial arbor.”

Reported Movement and Condition

The museum describes the watch as a cylinder watch with movement number 5223. Because the movement is not displayed in the provided photograph, internal mechanical features remain unverified by direct visual inspection.

The catalogue record explicitly documents condition issues, noting that the escape wheel arbor is broken and the chain is missing. The repository also includes a general disclaimer stating that records are continuously updated and accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cylinder watch in silver case by Geo. Graham, London, no.5223, escape wheel arbor broken, chain missing, silver dial”
  • “Our records are constantly being enhanced and improved, but please note that we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information shown on this website.”

Open research questions

  • What specific criteria or documentation led the Science Museum to assign the narrower title date range of 1725–1750 compared to the broader 1701–1800 production field?
  • Does George Graham workshop numbering indicate an approximate year of manufacture for movement number 5223?
  • What component of the watch comprises the catalogued 'metal (unknown)' alongside the silver case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Pocket Watch in Silver Case, by George Graham, 1725-1750
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerGeorge Graham“maker: George Graham”
Object Number1916-146“Object Number: 1916-146”
Movement Number5223“no.5223”
OriginLondon“Made: 1701-1800 in London”
Materialsmetal (unknown) and silver“Materials: metal (unknown) and silver”
Condition notesEscape wheel arbor broken, chain missing“escape wheel arbor broken, chain missing”
Credit LineMr. Evan Roberts“credit: Mr. Evan Roberts”
Measurements25 mm x 58 mm x 62 mm, .09kg“Measurements: overall: 25 mm x 58 mm x 62 mm, .09kg”
Object CategoryTime Measurement“Category: Time Measurement”
Object Typespocket watch and cylinder watch“type: pocket watch and cylinder watch”

Visible details

  • Hinged front bezel opened showing a fitted circular glass crystal.
  • Silver dial with Roman numeral hour chapter, outer Arabic five-minute numerals, and cartouches reading 'Graham' and 'London'.
  • Pendant with bow at the top and a visible hinge at the upper edge of the dial plate.
  • Darkened hands centered on the dial arbor.

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement is not depicted in the image; reported condition notes regarding the broken arbor and missing chain rely solely on museum cataloguing.
  • Dating is broad in museum records: the title specifies 1725-1750, whereas details note '1701-1800'.

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

Consulted source

Pocket Watch in Silver Case, by George Graham, 1725-1750 | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 23841685c0

Terms in this record

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

Other cylinder pocket watch records