2139

Repeating watch in a pierced gold pair-case. It has attached a length of black ribbon with 3 watch fobs and a watch key. Movement has quarter repeating on bell, cylinder escapement, diamond endstone to balance-cock and dustcap. White convex enamel dial, roman hours, arabic 5-minute figures, gold arrow hands. Outer case has crimson silk liner and a watch-paper in the form of an adjustable perpetual calendar, printed and hand-coloured. Black silk fob-strap has decorated cast gold sleeve and ring, enclosing a gold clasp in the form of a human hand wearing a garnet (?) ring on little finger. This in turn holds a further decorated gold ring retaining a gold watch key and three gold seals, one containing an amethyst, the second a bloodstone the third an agate, intaglio cut with a bird with wings stretched upwards, surrounded by the motto: SI BENE STATUAS NIL METUAS. London assay marks for 1784, duty mark of King George III (introduced Deec. 1784).

Object Details

ID: ZAA0294
Collection: Timekeeping
Type: Pocket watch
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Chater, Eliezer
Date made: 1784
People: Rodney, George Brydges
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 220 x 50 x 25 mm