Watch; Pendant

Miniature watch in the form of a spherical locket with an enamelled gold case. Thirty hour duration, single train, four pillar, gilt brass fusee movement with verge escapement. Flat, brass, three arm balance with flat spiral blued-steel balance spring. Pierced and engraved balance bridge with polished steel coquerette. Silver regulating disc marked with the words 'Avance/Retard' - Fast/Slow, with a gold pointer. Slightly convex white enamel dial with Arabic hour and quarter numerals outside the minute circle. Winding aperture through the dial between 1-2. Pierced blued-steel pointed spade hands. Spherical gold case with enamelled decoration. A catch at 1 o'clock releases the cover, which is partially opened by a secret spring. Gold pendant marked with the letter 'D' with a ring bow. Alternate segments of dark red over black basse-taille enamel; black and white champleve enamel in a scallop design, and black champleve enamel in an open trellis design, all with transparent counter-enamel inside. The bow is a later replacement. The watch is thought to have belonged to Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson's (1758-1805) daughter, Horatia Nelson (1801-1881).

Object Details

ID: JEW0242
Collection: Decorative art
Type: Watch; Pendant
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Anonymous; Unknown
Places: Switzerland
Date made: circa 1800
People: Nelson, Horatia; Nelson, Horatio
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Nelson-Ward Collection
Measurements: Overall: 26 mm x 43 mm x 26 mm x 23 mm