London “oignon” pocket watch in original case
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Second quarter 18th C.
This early English pocket watch, catalogued as an oignon type, is dated by the auction house to the second quarter of the 18th century and is signed by London maker John Berry.
It features an 18k gold inner watch measuring 6 cm in diameter, paired with an outer protective case ornamented with green leather on copper and black enamel. The gilt dial is engraved with scrolling decoration, Roman hour numerals, Arabic five-minute divisions, and the maker's name. According to the source, it houses a day-running movement featuring movement number 826, repetition, and hourly striking on a bell.
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
- Oignon pocket watch with striking and repetition
- Period
- Second quarter 18th C.
- Materials
- 18k gold, black enamel, green leather on copper, blued steel, brass, and glazing
- Inscriptions
- "BERRY" on dial; "John Berry / London 826" on plate
- Case diameter
- 6 cm
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Movement functions
- Day-running movement with hourly striking on a bell and repetition
- Maker / attribution
- John Berry
Design
- Visible features
- • Gilt champlevé or engraved dial with Roman numerals for hours and an outer ring for five-minute intervals in Arabic numerals. • Central cartouche on the dial engraved with the name 'BERRY' amid foliate scrollwork. • Pendant with an oval-shaped suspension bow situated at 12 o'clock. • Dark, mottled outer case rimmed in metal with decorative pinwork along the exterior.
- Mechanism and Function
- The watch is equipped with a day-running movement. Mechanical functions include an hourly striking mechanism that operates on a bell, as well as a repetition function. Specific details regarding the internal construction of the movement plates or the repeating architecture are not recorded in the source documentation.
- Identity and Attribution
- This timepiece is categorized as an 'oignon' pocket watch, attributed to the maker John Berry. The auction house dates the watch to the second quarter of the 18th century. The identification is based on inscriptions found on the watch. The dial is engraved with the name 'BERRY', and the movement plate is engraved 'John Berry / London 826', with 826 cited as the movement number.
- Construction and Exterior
- The item is an 18k gold watch measuring 6 cm in diameter. It is paired with an outer protective case decorated with green leather on copper, black enamel, and incorporates blued steel, brass, and glazing. The dial features a central cartouche engraved with the maker's name amidst foliate scrollwork. The watch is presented in its original case.
Identification
- Serial number
- 826
- 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 movement mechanism and inner plate engraving are not visible in the provided image.
- Research required: The reverse of the watch case is not shown.