Etherington Quarter-Repeating Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1704-1705
This gold pocket watch, dating to 1704-1705, features a quarter-repeating movement signed by George Etherington. The case is constructed of pierced, engraved, and chased gold, and is attributed to the casemaker James Delander, marked with the initials 'ID'.
The watch dial is notably decorated with table-cut diamonds and emeralds. The movement is inscribed with 'Geo. Etherington, London'. The watch incorporates a repeating mechanism capable of striking the quarters. It bears London hallmarks corresponding to the 1704-1705 period. The watch has been associated in historical records with Empress Elizabeth of Russia. It is noted that the object would have originally been accompanied by a decorative pair case, which is absent from the current configuration.
The piece resides in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum under accession number M.19-1934.
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
- Date
- 1704-1705
- Type
- Quarter repeating pocket watch
- Maker
- George Etherington (movement)
- Material
- Pierced, engraved and chased gold, diamonds, emeralds
- Casemaker
- James Delander
- Inscription
- Geo. Etherington, London
- Place recorded
- London
- Maker / attribution
- George Etherington
Design
- Visible features
- • Dial set with alternating table-cut emeralds and diamonds • Gilded balance cock with intricate pierced foliage scrollwork • Silver dust cover signed 'Geo. Etherington London' • Repeating mechanism visible on the movement plate
- Marks and Provenance
- The watch bears London hallmarks identifying the date of manufacture as 1704-1705. The casemaker's mark, consisting of the initials 'ID', has been attributed to James Delander. These marks provide the primary evidence for the dating and origin of the watch case. The watch was provided to the museum by Mr. Edmund A. Phillips.
- Construction and Dial
- The pocket watch is manufactured from gold, which has been worked through piercing, engraving, and chasing. The external aesthetic is characterized by the application of precious stones, specifically table-cut diamonds and emeralds, which are embedded directly into the dial plate. Regarding the history of the object, it is documented as having been held by Empress Elizabeth of Russia. The dial displays a chapter ring with numerals for the hours and minutes. The inclusion of gemstones serves as both a decorative feature and a structural element of the dial arrangement. The watch remains in its single-case configuration, with the source noting the absence of an original pair case.
- Movement and Repeating Mechanism
- The interior of the watch contains a quarter-repeating movement. The movement is signed by George Etherington and is protected by a silver dust cover that bears the same signature. The repeating function allows the watch to strike the time to the nearest quarter hour. The layout of the plates and the engraving on the balance cock indicate the work of Etherington. The silver dust cover also contains an engraved signature and displays the accession number.
Identification
- Accession Number
- M.19-1934
- 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 attribution of the casemaker 'ID' to James Delander is a source-stated attribution
- Research required: The association with Empress Elizabeth of Russia is reported as 'Said to have belonged to'