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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter pocket watch

Rotherhams Silver Hunter Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This gentleman's silver hunter pocket watch, produced by Rotherhams of London, dates to 1887 and carries the serial number 78285. The watch is constructed with a key-wound movement featuring a fusee and chain mechanism and a lever escapement. The white dial displays Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock. Both the dial and the back plate are signed 'Rotherhams, London'. The watch case bears a London hallmark dating to 1886-1887, identified by an uncrowned leopard and a capital L in a pointed shield. An inner cover features an inscription presenting the watch to Joseph Sleeman, the school teacher in Glenmaggie, Victoria, dated 24 May 1893. The object was acquired by the museum in 1968 via a donation from Mrs. P. E. Oates. It measures 5 cm in outside diameter and 1.7 cm in width.

A silver hunter pocket watch by Rotherhams, London, showing the white dial with Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, and the 12 o'clock pendant.
A silver hunter pocket watch by Rotherhams, London, showing the white dial with Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, and the 12 o'clock pendant. — Museums Victoria. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.museumsvictoria.com.au
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Rotherhams
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
ST 26503
Source-reported date
1887
Source-reported place
England
Source-reported serial
78285

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 object is a gentleman's hunter pocket watch featuring a silver case. The exterior of the hunter case is designed to protect the dial, which is accessed by opening the hinged front cover. The dial itself is white and features a traditional layout with Roman numerals to mark the hours and a subsidiary seconds dial located at the 6 o'clock position.

The casing measures 5 cm in outside diameter with a width of 1.7 cm. The overall construction incorporates a pendant and bow at the top for attachment to a chain.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silver hunter case.”
  • “White dial has roman numerals and seconds hand at 6.”
  • “Overall Dimensions, dimensions: 1.7 cm (Width), 5 cm (Outside Diameter)”

Movement and Technical Specifications

It utilizes a fusee and chain mechanism to provide constant force to the gear train, paired with a lever escapement for timekeeping regulation.

The movement components are housed within the silver case, with the back plate explicitly signed by the maker, Rotherhams of London. The serial number 78285 is assigned to this specific movement, linking it to the documented date of 1887.

Evidence for this section
  • “Key wound spring; lever escapement. Fusee and chain.”
  • “Dial and back plate are marked 'Rotherhams, London'.”

Signatures, Marks, and Provenance

The watch bears significant marks indicating both its origin and its later ownership. The case is stamped with a London hallmark for 1886-1887, identified by the presence of an uncrowned leopard and a capital L in a pointed shield. These marks confirm the assay location and date of the silver case.

The internal inscription records the watch's presentation to Joseph Sleeman, the school teacher in Glenmaggie, on 24 May 1893. The object was later acquired by the Museum Victoria in August 1968 through a donation from Mrs. P. E. Oates,

Evidence for this section
  • “Has London hallmark for 1886-1887 (uncrowned leopard, capital L in pointed shield).”
  • “Inner cover is marked 'Joseph Steeman, Glenmaggie, 24:5:93'.”
  • “Acquisition: Donation from Mrs P. E. Oates, Aug 1968”

Open research questions

  • Are the discrepancies in the surname spelling ('Steeman' vs 'Sleeman') due to an engraver's error?
  • Does the movement serial number match any surviving production logs from the Rotherhams factory?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rotherhams Silver Hunter Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerRotherhams“Maker, name: Rotherhams”
Serial Number78285“Serial number 78285”
Date of manufacture1887“Rotherhams, London, 1887”
Movement typeKey wound, fusee and chain, lever escapement“Key wound spring; lever escapement. Fusee and chain.”
HallmarkLondon 1886-1887“Has London hallmark for 1886-1887 (uncrowned leopard, capital L in pointed shield).”
Presentation date24 May 1893“Presented to Joseph Sleeman, Glenmaggie, 24 May 1893.”
Registration NumberST 26503“Registration number: ST 26503”

Visible details

  • White dial with Roman numerals
  • Subsidiary seconds hand at 6 o'clock position
  • Hunter style case with hinged cover
  • Pendant and bow located at the 12 o'clock position

Research qualifications

  • Inscription on inner cover records name as 'Joseph Steeman' whereas association records name as 'Joseph Sleeman'
  • The museum description lists the date as 1887 but mentions a 1886-1887 hallmark

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

Consulted source

Pocket Watch - Rotherhams, London, 1887

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record b0bb3d2cb9

Terms in this record

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

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