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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pair cased pocket watch

Silver Pair Cased Pocket Watch by O. Roberts

Partially verified

This early 19th-century English pocket watch features an all-silver pair case construction with an oval pendant and bow. The white enamel dial is decorated with a multi-colored miniature painting depicting a farming scene known as "Speed the Plough," showing a farmer plowing with two horses, surrounded by black Roman numerals and gilt hands. The movement is a full-plate verge escapement with a fusee chain, circular pillars, a decorative pierced balance cock with a mask, and a simple three-armed steel balance. The movement plate is signed "O. Roberts London" and numbered 2384. The inner case back bears an engraving reading "John Bullock – 1860" and the maker mark "WL". Technical condition and the service history of the movement are not specified. Collectors are advised to verify the integrity of the fusee chain and the condition of the enamel dial.

Front view of the silver pair cased pocket watch showing the "Speed the Plough" enamel dial.
Front view of the silver pair cased pocket watch showing the "Speed the Plough" enamel dial. — Zamanito (sourced from Pieces of Time). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pair cased pocket watch
Maker / attribution
O. Roberts
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
early 19th century
Source-reported place
England
Source-reported serial
2384

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 watch is housed in an English-style pair case constructed of silver, featuring an oval bow and pendant. The inner case exhibits specific markings, including the maker's mark "WL" and a historical inscription reading "John Bullock – 1860," indicating later provenance or commemorative personalization.

The dial is composed of white enamel, serving as a canvas for a polychrome miniature painting centered on the theme "Speed the Plough." This image illustrates a pastoral scene with a farmer and two horses. Time is indicated by gilt hands against black Roman numeral hour markers.

Evidence for this section
  • “ساختار دو قاب (Pair Case) تمام نقره بهره می‌برد”
  • “قاب داخلی دارای سوراخ کوک از پشت است و نام «John Bullock – 1860» روی پشت آن حکاکی شده است”
  • “علامت سازنده قاب با حروف «WL» بر روی آن ثبت شده است”
  • “صفحه لعابی سفید با نقاشی چندرنگ مینیاتوری در مرکز آن است که صحنه کشاورزی معروف به «Speed the Plough» را به تصویر کشیده”

Movement and Escapement

The internal mechanism is a full-plate movement utilizing a verge escapement and a fusee chain drive. The construction includes circular pillars and a three-armed steel balance.

The balance cock is notably decorative, featuring intricate piercings and an engraved mask. The movement is signed "O. Roberts London" and carries the serial number 2384 on the top plate, with a gilt regulator.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت از نوع سر سرهم یا ویرگولی (Verge Escapement) همراه با زنجیر فیوزی (Fusee) و صفحات کامل (Full Plate) با پایه‌های گرد است”
  • “خروس بالانس (Cock) مدور با نقوش مشبک و حکاکی ظریف و ماسک تزئینی دیده می‌شود”
  • “روی پلاک موتور حکاکی نام «O. Roberts London» و شماره ۲۳۸۴ مشاهده می‌شود”

Condition and Attribution

The object is attributed to the early 19th century and originates from England. The auction description notes that information regarding the watch's technical function or service history is not provided by the seller.

Prospective owners are encouraged to independently inspect the condition of the enamel dial for hairline fractures, the integrity of the fusee chain, the hinge function of the cases, and the consistency of the silver hallmarks.

Evidence for this section
  • “این ساعت جیبی انگلیسی عتیقه متعلق به اوایل قرن نوزدهم میلادی است”
  • “فروشنده به کارکرد یا عدم کارکرد و سابقه سرویس اشاره‌ای نکرده است”
  • “توصیه می‌شود یکپارچگی زنجیر فیوزی، سلامت لولاهای قاب‌ها، عدم وجود ترک‌خوردگی‌های مویی در صفحه لعابی و مطابقت مهرهای نقره را به طور مستقل بررسی نمایند”

Open research questions

  • Does the maker mark WL correspond to a specific known English silversmith working in the early 19th century?
  • Can the provenance of the 1860 engraving be traced further to a specific individual or region?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Silver Pair Cased Pocket Watch by O. Roberts
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerO. Roberts“O. Roberts London”
Serial number2384“شماره ۲۳۸۴”
Case constructionPair case“ساختار دو قاب (Pair Case)”
Case maker markWL“علامت سازنده قاب با حروف «WL» بر روی آن ثبت شده است”
Dial subjectSpeed the Plough“صحنه کشاورزی معروف به «Speed the Plough»”
Movement typeVerge escapement with fusee“موتور ساعت از نوع سر سرهم یا ویرگولی (Verge Escapement) همراه با زنجیر فیوزی (Fusee)”
EngravingJohn Bullock 1860“نام «John Bullock – 1860» روی پشت آن حکاکی شده است”

Visible details

  • Painted dial depicting a plowman with two horses
  • Pierced balance cock with mask decoration
  • Inner case back engraved "John Bullock – 1860"
  • Movement signed O. Roberts London with serial 2384

Research qualifications

  • Movement functionality and service history are not confirmed
  • Integrity of the fusee chain and enamel dial condition require independent verification

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

Consulted source

Silver Pair Cased Speed the Plough

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 3645ad6468

Terms in this record

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