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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Watch with a Classical Bust

Partially verified

This pocket watch, held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, as object BK-NM-7316, is dated to the period circa 1660–1690. The timepiece is documented as being constructed from a combination of iron and copper. It features an enamelled dial and a case adorned with a helmeted female bust on the exterior. The interior of the case displays an ornament rendered in white and black against a blue ground. The watch has a diameter of 3.5 cm. The provided documentation originates from a translation of the museum's Dutch catalogue text. Further horological investigation is required to ascertain maker attribution, specific internal movement details, or the placement of this piece within a broader classification of similar watches from the period.

Front view of the pocket watch showing the enamelled dial and floral decorations.
Front view of the pocket watch showing the enamelled dial and floral decorations. — Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-NM-7316
Source-reported date
c. 1660 - c. 1690
Source-reported place
Not established

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 Design

The exterior of the pocket watch case is embellished with a helmeted female bust. This figurative element serves as the primary decorative feature on the outer surface. The dial itself is enamelled, featuring a white chapter ring with black Roman numerals. The central portion of the dial is finished in a light blue ground, surrounded by a polychrome floral wreath.

The interior of the case is decorated with a white and black ornament set against a blue ground. The physical construction utilizes a combination of iron and copper. The watch is fitted with a metal pendant and bow, which are consistent with the dimensions recorded for the object, totaling a diameter of 3.5 cm.

Evidence for this section
  • “a helmeted female bust on the outside”
  • “a white and black ornament on a blue ground on the inside”
  • “enamelled dial”
  • “material recorded as iron (metal), copper (metal)”

Museum Documentation and Classification

The object is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and is identified by the accession number BK-NM-7316. The museum's records describe the piece in the context of its collections, specifically noting its classification as both a watch and a piece of jewellery. The technical details provided by the museum form the basis of this entry.

The dating for the watch is established as circa 1660 to 1690. While the museum documentation provides the core physical and descriptive data, the source notes that the details are derived from a translation of the original Dutch catalogue text. The record remains subject to further research to determine if it represents a broader type of watch from this period.

Evidence for this section
  • “The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, holds this object as BK-NM-7316”
  • “Museum classification wrist watch · jewellery”
  • “c. 1660 - c. 1690”
  • “Description translated from the museum's Dutch catalogue text”

Reported Physical Specifications

The physical dimensions of the timepiece are documented as having a diameter of 3.5 cm. This measurement applies to the casing, which incorporates the stated metal compositions of iron and copper. The condition and specific technical function of the internal movement are not detailed in the available documentation, and no manufacturer's mark or specific horological reference number beyond the museum accession number is currently identified.

It is noted that the classification and wider horological context of this specific specimen have not been independently verified against external horological references, leaving open questions regarding the origins of its design and construction.

Evidence for this section
  • “diameter 3.5 cm”
  • “material recorded as iron (metal), copper (metal)”
  • “details are those of this museum object, and how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific movement configuration and escapement type used in this watch?
  • To what extent is the design of the 'helmeted female bust' associated with known workshops or regional styles from the 1660-1690 period?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Watch with a Classical Bust
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Holding InstitutionRijksmuseum, Amsterdam“Holding institution Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam”
Object NumberBK-NM-7316“Museum object number BK-NM-7316”
Materialiron, copper“material recorded as iron (metal), copper (metal)”
Dimensions3.5 cm diameter“diameter 3.5 cm”
Datingcirca 1660-1690“c. 1660 - c. 1690”
Decorationhelmeted female bust and floral motifs“a helmeted female bust on the outside and a white and black ornament on a blue ground on the inside.”

Visible details

  • Enamelled dial with central light blue ground
  • Polychrome floral wreath decoration on dial
  • Black Roman numerals for hour indicators
  • Visible metal pendant and bow attachment

Research qualifications

  • The exact maker of this object is not recorded in the available source.
  • The attribution of the dating to circa 1660-1690 requires further horological verification.

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

Consulted source

Watch with a Classical Bust

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 7454cb3a79

Terms in this record

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

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