Automaton Verge Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 18th century
This late 18th-century automaton verge pocket watch features a polychrome enamel dial depicting the Battle of Arcola. The dial incorporates a sub-dial with Arabic numerals and blued steel hands, while the lower section depicts Napoleon Bonaparte on horseback crossing a bridge.
A semicircular aperture in the enamel contains a rotating disc linked to the watch movement, which creates motion as the watch operates. An inscription in German, 'Bataille bei Arcola gewonnen von Bonaparte – d16ten Novbr 1795', appears on the dial. The watch is housed in a silver pair case, accompanied by a matching pendant and bow. The movement is a gilt full-plate fusee type with a verge escapement. The balance cock is pierced and engraved, set with an endstone.
The movement plate is signed 'G. Masterman London' and bears a serial number. The auction description reports the watch is in running condition.
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.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Automaton verge pocket watch
- Maker
- G. Masterman
- Serial
- 14772
- Case material
- Silver
- Dial features
- Polychrome enamel scene of the Battle of Arcola
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Condition status
- Running
- Dial inscription
- Bataille bei Arcola gewonnen von Bonaparte – d16ten Novbr 1795
- Maker / attribution
- G. Masterman
Design
- Visible features
- • Rotating automaton disc showing a horseman within the enamel dial scene • Engraved and pierced balance cock on the gilt movement plate • Silver pair case construction • Blue steel hands and Arabic numeral sub-dial
- Case and Condition
- The watch is encased in a pair case manufactured from silver, including a matching silver pendant and bow. The cases are described as being correctly fitted to each other. The inner case contains silver hallmarks, though the auction description reports that these markings are faint or obscured by wear. The auction description reports the watch is currently in running condition and that the automaton disc operates as intended.
- Dial and Automaton
- The timepiece features a white enamel dial with a secondary offset dial for timekeeping, displaying Arabic numerals and fitted with blued steel hands. The remaining space on the dial is decorated with a miniature enamel painting of the Battle of Arcola, illustrating Napoleon Bonaparte on a black horse and military forces engaged in artillery fire. A semicircular aperture integrated into the bridge of the painted scene reveals a rotating disc connected to the movement. This mechanism allows the painted figures to move while the watch is functioning, intended to mimic the action of cavalry crossing the bridge. The dial also carries an inscription detailing the battle and date.
- Movement and Escapement
- The watch is powered by a gilt full-plate movement equipped with a fusee mechanism. The balance cock is finished with pierced, manual engravings and features an endstone set into a polished steel base. The movement includes a three-armed gilt balance wheel with a blued steel hairspring. Regulation of the watch is managed via a silver disc with a gilt indicator located on the main plate. The plate is inscribed with the signature of G. Masterman of London and a serial number, consistent with the construction of late 18th-century English verge timepieces.
Identification
- Serial number
- 14772
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The auction description notes hallmarks on the inner case are faint and obscured
- Research required: The auction house recommends independent verification of the historical correspondence of the dial inscription and date
- Research required: Condition of fusee chain and internal components remains unverified by third party