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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Watch with chatelaine

Watch with Chatelaine

Partially verified

This horological object, identified as BK-NM-11979 in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, is a watch attached to a chatelaine. The assembly includes a pocket watch paired with a three-chain chatelaine system incorporating an enamelled medallion. According to the institution's documentation, the watch case and chatelaine are composed of silver and diamond. The watch dial features the name 'Chevalier Compagnie'. The decorative treatment of the watch includes an engraved ground finished with translucent enamel on both the front and back. The hands of the watch are set with brilliant-cut diamonds. The chatelaine portion consists of three linked chains that suspend additional decorative elements. The total length of the object is 16 cm, with the watch having a diameter of 5.9 cm. This specific item is dated to the period circa 1838 to 1846. The object remains part of the institutional holdings, classified under jewellery and chatelaine categories.

The watch and chatelaine assembly as catalogued by the Rijksmuseum, showing the dial, the three-chain suspension, and the decorative enamel work.
The watch and chatelaine assembly as catalogued by the Rijksmuseum, showing the dial, the three-chain suspension, and the decorative enamel work. — Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Watch with chatelaine
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-NM-11979
Source-reported date
c. 1838 - c. 1846
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 Chatelaine Construction

The object consists of a pocket watch integrated into a chatelaine assembly. The chatelaine structure is comprised of three chains that converge at a central enamelled medallion. The materials used in the construction are recorded as silver and diamond. The assembly includes additional decorative appendages suspended from the chains.

The watch itself features an engraved ground beneath a layer of translucent enamel on both the front and the back of the case. The bezel of the watch is decorated with a border of small, light-colored stones, identified by the source as diamonds, though the specific configuration gives the appearance of pearls in the image. The chatelaine serves as the suspension mechanism for the watch, reflecting a design intended for wear.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold watch with chatelaine.”
  • “The chatelaine consists of 3 chains incorporating an enamelled medallion.”
  • “The front and back are decorated with translucent enamel on an engraved ground.”
  • “material recorded as silver (metal), diamond (mineral)”

Dial and Timekeeping Components

The dial of the watch is white and displays the signature 'Chevalier Compagnie'. The watch hands are set with brilliant-cut diamonds, providing a specific ornamental feature to the time-reading function. The dial uses standard numerical markings for the hours.

The watch is linked to the chatelaine assembly via a bow at the top of the case. The presence of the chatelaine system, including what appears to be a winding key and a seal or fob, suggests the watch was intended to be carried or worn as part of a larger ensemble of functional jewelry.

Evidence for this section
  • “The hands are set with brilliant-cut diamonds.”

Institutional Documentation

This object is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam under the accession number BK-NM-11979. The museum classifies the item within its jewellery, chatelaine, and watch collection. The documentation provided for this record is based on translated Dutch catalogue text from the institution.

The specific period of the object is placed between approximately 1838 and 1846. The source indicates that while the museum's data is verified, the broader context of the object—such as its exact maker or how representative it is of a wider historical type—has not been subjected to independent verification by external horological experts.

Evidence for this section
  • “The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, holds this object as BK-NM-11979”
  • “Period c. 1838 - c. 1846”
  • “Description translated from the museum's Dutch catalogue text”

Open research questions

  • Verify the discrepancy between the description of a 'Gold watch' versus the material listing of 'silver'.
  • Identify the operational history or workshop associated with 'Chevalier Compagnie'.

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Watch with Chatelaine
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Museum numberBK-NM-11979“The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, holds this object as BK-NM-11979”
DimensionsDiameter 5.9 cm, length 16 cm“measurements diameter 5.9 cm x length 16 cm”
MaterialsSilver, diamond“material recorded as silver (metal), diamond (mineral)”
Date rangec. 1838 - c. 1846“Period c. 1838 - c. 1846”
Decorative elementsTranslucent enamel on engraved ground“The front and back are decorated with translucent enamel on an engraved ground.”

Visible details

  • The dial features the signature 'Chevalier Compagnie'.
  • The watch hands are set with small diamonds.
  • A central medallion on the chatelaine features a blue enamel finish.
  • The watch bezel is encircled by a row of small pearls.

Research qualifications

  • The source states the object is silver, while the descriptive text also refers to a 'Gold watch'.
  • Maker attribution and wider type specifications remain unverified by external horological references.

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

Consulted source

Watch with Chatelaine

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record fa12af5e37

Terms in this record

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