Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Repeating pocket watch

Repeating watch by Francis Perigal

Partially verified

This repeating watch was produced in London, British, with an attribution to maker Francis Perigal, who was active between 1741 and 1767. The timepiece is documented with a date of probably ca. 1770 and was manufactured for the Turkish market. The construction consists of a partly enameled gold case, while the dial is white enamel featuring black numerals and hands fashioned from silver and set with diamonds. The movement is constructed from gilded brass and partly blued steel. The overall dimensions, measured with the bail raised, are 6.4 x 4 x 2.3 cm. The watch is held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art as object 17.190.1427. This record is based on museum documentation, and the specific history and attribution of the object remain subject to further horological research.

Back view of the watch, showing the partly enameled gold case with geometric and scrollwork patterns.
Back view of the watch, showing the partly enameled gold case with geometric and scrollwork patterns. — The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Francis Perigal
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
17.190.1427
Source-reported date
probably ca. 1770
Source-reported place
British, London

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 repeating watch features an exterior case crafted from gold, decorated with partial enamel work in blue and green. The case exhibits intricate metalwork including scroll patterns surrounding a central geometric enameled inlay. A pendant bail is attached to the top of the case.

The watch face consists of a white enamel dial marked with numerals designed for the Turkish market. The time is indicated by hands made of silver, which are set with diamonds.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: partly enameled gold”
  • “Dial: white enamel with black numerals and silver hands set with diamonds”

Movement

The internal movement of the watch is constructed primarily of gilded brass, with components rendered in partly blued steel. The mechanism includes a regulator assembly visible within the gilded plate structure.

The movement plate is engraved with delicate scrollwork and houses the repeating mechanism. A small circular scale marked with intervals is positioned on the plate to aid in regulation.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: gilded brass and partly blued steel”

Provenance and Documentation

The watch is currently held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art under the accession number 17.190.1427. It was included in the gift of J. Pierpont Morgan in 1917.

The object is identified as a product of the London trade intended for the Turkish market, with the movement attributed to the maker Francis Perigal. The date of manufacture is estimated by the museum as approximately 1770.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement by Francis Perigal (British, active 1741–67)”
  • “dated probably ca. 1770”
  • “Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917”

Open research questions

  • What specific repeating mechanism configuration does the movement utilize?
  • Can the specific Turkish market numerals be further identified regarding their chronological sequence in export history?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Repeating watch by Francis Perigal
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerFrancis Perigal“Movement by Francis Perigal (British, active 1741–67)”
Dateprobably ca. 1770“dated probably ca. 1770”
OriginLondon, UK for Turkish market“British, London, for Turkish market”
Case materialsPartly enameled gold“Case: partly enameled gold”
Dial featuresWhite enamel with diamond-set silver hands“Dial: white enamel with black numerals and silver hands set with diamonds”
Movement materialsGilded brass and blued steel“Movement: gilded brass and partly blued steel”
Dimensions6.4 x 4 x 2.3 cm“Overall (with bail raised, confirmed): 2 1/2 × 1 9/16 × 7/8 in. (6.4 × 4 × 2.3 cm)”
Accession Number17.190.1427“17.190.1427”

Visible details

  • The white enamel dial features numerals styled for the Turkish market.
  • The watch hands are set with diamonds.
  • The outer case exhibits elaborate gold scrollwork with blue and green enamel accents.

Research qualifications

  • The attribution to maker Francis Perigal is specifically associated with the movement.
  • The exact production date is hedged by the institution as probably circa 1770.

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

Consulted source

Repeating watch by Francis Perigal, British, London, for Turkish market, probably ca. 1770

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 77bc233731

Terms in this record

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

Other repeating pocket watch records