Gilt metal watch dial
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1850-1880
This circular watch dial, measuring 4.1 cm in diameter and 0.05 cm in depth, was produced between 1850 and 1880. Constructed from gilt metal, the piece is decorated through engraving and painting.
The dial features black painted Roman numerals arranged in a circle, bordered by an engraved husk design on the outer rim and an engraved floral wreath around the inner perimeter. The central area displays an engraved bouquet of stylised flowers. The dial originates from the workshop of Jean Julien Faucherre (1805-1891), a Swiss engraver who trained in Switzerland, worked in France, and subsequently settled in London by 1841.
This object is part of a larger documented group of workshop materials gifted by Miss Jeanne Faucherre to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Such dials were often supplied to larger silversmiths or retailers of the Victorian period for final assembly into horological instruments.
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
- 1850-1880
- Type
- Watch dial
- Maker
- Jean Julien Faucherre
- Materials
- Gilt metal
- Dimensions
- 4.1 cm diameter
- Place recorded
- London
- Place of origin
- London
- Maker / attribution
- Jean Julien Faucherre
Design
- Visible features
- • Engraved husk outer border • Central bouquet of flowers • Hand-painted black Roman numerals • Circular gilt metal construction
- Provenance and History
- This dial is catalogued as part of a group of objects associated with the workshop of Jean Julien Faucherre. The accession of these materials, identified under the number M.9-2009, was made possible through a gift from Miss Jeanne Faucherre. The group provides a record of the items produced within the Faucherre workshop during his time in London.
- Maker and Workshop Context
- Jean Julien Faucherre (1805-1891) was a Swiss engraver who established his practice in London by 1841. While he was recognized as a master watch engraver in 1857, his workshop produced a range of decorative items for the silversmithing trade, including electrotyped boxes and panels for carriage clocks. The existence of this dial is part of a rare collection of documented items from a smaller trade supplier, providing insight into mid-to-late 19th-century horological production in London.
- Construction and Decoration
- The watch dial is a round component crafted from gilt metal, finished with detailed engraving and paintwork. The design incorporates an outer border featuring an engraved husk pattern, while the inner border comprises an engraved floral wreath that encircles the numerals. The central portion of the dial is decorated with an engraved bouquet of stylised flowers. Black paint is utilized for the Roman numerals, which are positioned between the inner and outer engraved borders. The dial maintains a thin profile, with a recorded depth of 0.05 cm.
Identification
- Accession number
- M.9-2009
- 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: Specific watch caliber for which this dial was intended remains unknown
- Research required: The dial appears to have been part of a larger group of workshop materials, with individual provenance history limited to the workshop source