18k yellow gold pocket watch by M.J. Tobias, retailed by Benedict & Scudder, c. 1836
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1836
This antique pocket watch is a collaborative work between the Liverpool-based watchmaker M.J. Tobias and the New York retailer Benedict & Scudder. Constructed during a period when imported watch movements were often married to domestically produced cases to reduce taxes, the 18k yellow gold case features handsomely tooled foliate borders on the front, back, top, and bow, with an engine-turned back and an engraved round cartouche at the center.
The movement is a thirteen-jewel, key-wind mechanism featuring a detached lever. The dial is elaborately decorated with an engraved, paneled sunray background, overlaid with a tri-color foliate and flower border, a dot inner border, and a complementary tri-color foliate and flower center. Roman numerals mark the hours, while a subsidiary dial with scalloped, guilloche patterning is positioned at 6:00. The watch measures 2 inches in diameter and 2.75 inches long including the bow, with a gross weight of 56.3 dwt.
The item is missing its crystal and keys.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Length
- 2 3/4" including bow
- Weight
- 56.3 gross dwt
- Diameter
- 2"
- Material
- 18k yellow gold
Technical characteristics
- Movement
- thirteen jewel, key wind, detached lever
Design
- Numerals
- Roman
- Decoration
- tri-color foliate and flower motifs, engine-turned back, scalloped guilloche subdial
- Dial style
- engraved paneled sunray
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- M.J. Tobias; Benedict & Scudder
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.