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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Walking stick watch

Romilly à Paris Walking Stick Watch

Partially verified

This walking stick watch was completed in July 1786 and is signed by Romilly à Paris. The object consists of a mahogany walking stick surmounted by a 22K gold and enamel pommel, which houses the built-in timekeeper. The double-body pommel features tapered red flinqué enamel stripes, further engraved decoration, and a white enamel ring bearing the inscription 'Le Temps nous unira'. The timepiece has a white enamel dial with Arabic numerals and gold arrow hands. The movement is a hinged gilt brass full plate design featuring conical pillars, a going barrel, and a cylinder escapement. It utilizes a plain brass three-arm balance with a flat balance spring and a gilt brass continental cock with a polished steel end-piece. The watch is signed on the dial, while the back plate is signed and dated. The diameter of the movement is 25 mm.

The gold and red flinqué enamel pommel of the mahogany walking stick with the watch dial visible at the top.
The gold and red flinqué enamel pommel of the mahogany walking stick with the watch dial visible at the top. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Walking stick watch
Maker / attribution
Romilly à Paris
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
337
Source-reported date
July 1786
Source-reported place
France
Source-reported serial
1031 76

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

Pommel and Exterior

The object features a mahogany walking stick, which is topped with a decorative pommel serving as the housing for the watch. The pommel is constructed from 22K gold and enamel, executed with a double-body design that tapers toward the top.

The exterior of the gold pommel is decorated with red flinqué enamel stripes and additional engraving. Near the base of the pommel section, a white enamel ring displays the inscription 'Le Temps nous unira'.

Evidence for this section
  • “mahogany walking stick, the22K gold and enamel pommel with built-in watch”
  • “Double-body, slightly tapered with red flinqué enamelled stripes and further engraved decoration”
  • “the inscription: Le Temps nous unira on a white enamel ring”

Dial and Timekeeping

The watch portion of the walking stick has a white enamel dial with Arabic numerals and gold hands described as being in an arrow shape. The watch is signed on the dial.

The auction report notes the condition of the dial as fair, specifically mentioning slight oxidation and wear.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel with Arabic numerals. Gold ?arrow? hands.”
  • “Signed on the dial”
  • “Dial: 4-6-12-01 Fair Slightly oxidized Worn”

Movement Details

The movement is a hinged gilt brass full plate construction. It features conical pillars and a going barrel. Regulation is handled by a cylinder escapement, paired with a plain brass three-arm balance and a flat balance spring.

The balance assembly includes a gilt brass continental cock with a polished steel end-piece. The back plate is both signed and dated. The movement diameter is noted as 25 mm.

Evidence for this section
  • “Hinged gilt brass full plate with conical pillars, going barrel, cylinder escapement, plain brass three-arm balance”
  • “flat balance spring, gilt brass continental cock with polished steel end-piece”
  • “signed and dated on the back plate”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the number suffix '76' in the serial number '1031 76'?
  • Are there additional hallmarks present on the gold components of the pommel to confirm the 22K gold purity?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Romilly à Paris Walking Stick Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerRomilly à Paris“Romilly à Paris”
Serial Number1031 76“No. 1031 76”
Completion DateJuly 1786“completed in July 1786”
Materials22K gold, enamel, mahogany“22K gold and enamel pommel with built-in watch”
InscriptionLe Temps nous unira“the inscription: Le Temps nous unira”
EscapementCylinder“cylinder escapement”
Movement diameter25 mm“Diam. 25 mm.”

Visible details

  • Red flinqué enamelled stripes on the pommel
  • White enamel ring with inscription at the base of the pommel
  • Mahogany body of the walking stick
  • White enamel dial positioned at the top of the pommel

Research qualifications

  • The auction house reports the dial as 'Fair' and 'Slightly oxidized'
  • The auction house reports the movement condition as grade 1

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

Consulted source

Romilly à Paris, No. 1031 76, completed in July 1786.Very fine and rare, mahogany walking stick, the22K gold and enamel pommel with built-in watch.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 2502cf80b4

Terms in this record

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