Clock · Travelling watch clock

Travelling watch clock

Partially verified

This travelling watch clock is held in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession number 32.75.43). The object is attributed to the German maker Johann Gottfried Kriedel (1702–1757). Constructed from silver, brass, and steel, the piece measures four inches in diameter. The design features a circular case with decorative pierced metalwork and a prominent bow for suspension or carrying, suggesting its intended use as a portable timepiece. The dial layout displays a central chapter ring for hours, surrounded by a separate minute track indicating five-minute intervals. The signature and location are integrated into the face of the timepiece, appearing directly on the dial plate. The item is currently documented as part of the museum's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department collection.

The travelling watch clock (Accession 32.75.43) as viewed in the Metropolitan Museum collection. — The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: orbiscollectibles.com
Category: Clock · Travelling watch clock
Maker / attribution: Johann Gottfried Kriedel
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 32.75.43
Source-reported date: early 18th century
Source-reported place: Germany

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

Construction and Design

The travelling watch clock is composed of silver, brass, and steel, measuring four inches in diameter.

The dial displays a high degree of precision in its layout. A primary chapter ring presents the hour markers in Roman numerals, while a distinct outer ring provides the minute scale in Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals.

Evidence for this section

“The museum records the medium as Silver, brass, steel and the dimensions as Diameter: 4 in. (10.2 cm).”
“Watch clock in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (accession 32.75.43)”

Attribution and Provenance

This object is attributed to the maker Johann Gottfried Kriedel, who was active during the 18th century (1702–1757). The attribution and categorization are managed by the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The object remains part of the museum’s permanent holdings, identified by accession number 32.75.43.

While the record confirms the object's presence within a major institution, the source material explicitly notes that the wider collectible type and maker attribution are areas requiring ongoing research and verification by specialists in the field. This acknowledgement maintains a degree of professional caution regarding the definitive classification of the piece.

Evidence for this section

“It is attributed to Johann Gottfried Kriedel (German, 1702–1757).”
“Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and date against a specialist reference.”

Documentation

The object is formally catalogued by The Metropolitan Museum of Art as a "Travelling watch clock," a term that describes its primary function as a portable timepiece. The museum's documentation provides clear identification data, including the accession number, material composition, and the dates associated with the maker's lifespan.

Because the information is derived from public-access museum records, it serves as a baseline for the item's history.

Evidence for this section

“catalogued by the museum's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department under the title “Travelling watch clock”.”
“These details are transcribed from the museum's open-access record”

Open research questions

What is the specific horological mechanism housed within the silver case?
Does the signature on the dial confirm the association with the town of Bautzen (Budissin)?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Travelling watch clock
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Johann Gottfried Kriedel	“It is attributed to Johann Gottfried Kriedel (German, 1702–1757).”
Materials	Silver, brass, steel	“The museum records the medium as Silver, brass, steel”
Dimensions	4 in. (10.2 cm)	“Diameter: 4 in. (10.2 cm).”
Museum ID	32.75.43	“Museum object number 32.75.43”
Date	early 18th century	“The museum dates it early 18th century.”
Classification	Horology	“Classification Horology”

Visible details

The dial features a separate outer ring for minutes marked in five-minute increments.
The case exhibits intricate, possibly engraved or pierced, decorative scrollwork on the side.
The dial layout utilizes both Roman numerals for hours and Arabic numerals for the minute track.

Research qualifications

The exact origin and full attribution history remain subject to independent scholarly verification beyond the museum's record.
The specific technical characteristics of the movement are not detailed in the source material.

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

Consulted source

Travelling watch clock, early 18th century

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record d92efe930c

Terms in this record

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