Watch, Pocket

Object Name:

Watch, Pocket

Creator:

Williamson, J.
Whittle, John

Date:

1770-1808

Material:

Textile
Cotton
Glass
Metal
Paper
Silk
Silver

Dimensions:

H-1.3 W-4.75 D-0.25 inches
Watch 1 1/2 in. diameter.

Description:

Pocket watch, with watch paper of John Whittle (c.1782-1808/10, of Hopkinton, NH). White metal, glass, silk and cotton cord. Circular metal outer case with flat back. Front is a ring attached to the back by a hinge on the left side. Catch and release mechanism on right side, release button is semi-spherical. Possible maker's mark on back of case, very worn, unable to see details. Yellowed watch paper with black printing lines interior of case. Design around edge of watchpaper consists of a series of semi-circular domes containing vertical lines with open circles beneath. Text in ornate script: "Jo... Whittle / CLOCK WATCH / Maker / Hopkinton / NH". Green silk ribbon visible above edge of watchpaper.

Watch itself has metal back and sides. Back has a small circular opening through which can be seen a square post. Domed glass edged in metal covers the watch face and is hinged at top. Watch face is white enamel with black printing. Arabic numbers from 5 to 60 in increments of five around outer edge, band of sixty tick marks, then a band of Roman numerals from I to XII. "WILLIAMSON / LONDON" in center. Metal hands of "beetle and poker" type, i.e. the longer hand is straight and the shorter hand ends in a type of fleur-de-lis. Post with attached loop on top edge of watch. Cord attached to loop with small metal winding key at other end. Workings inside described on eBay as a "verge fusee movement" of ornate gold-colored metal. Hallmarks inside back cover of watch include a lion signifying British sterling silver; a faint mark that is probably a crowned leopard signifying the city of London (in use 1478-1822) and the letter "P" corresponding to the year 1770. There is also a maker's mark in the center consisting of the letters "D P" with a dot between the letters with a diamond above the dot.

Object Register:
A. Outer Case
B. Watch
C. Winding Key (not numbered)
D. Watch Paper (not numbered)

Provenance:

Purchased on on-line auction by Hopkinton Historical Society.

Subjects:

Clothing dress, Watch papers, Clock watch making, Clocks watches, Time, Silverwork

People:

Whittle, John

Place of Origin:

London, England

Collection Name:

Textiles Cataloged Fall 2011

Item Number:

2009.0047

Accession Number:

2009.0047

Type of Material:

Objects

Copyright Statement:

For information regarding copyright, permissions, and reproductions contact the Hopkinton Historical Society

Credit Line:

Hopkinton Historical Society Purchase

Participating Organization:

Hopkinton Historical Society