Musical pocket watch mechanism, 1790-1800
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1790-1800
The Science Museum Group holds this musical pocket watch mechanism, catalogued under object number 1920-527 and recorded as on loan from Bruno Roberts. According to museum records, it was made in Europe between 1790 and 1800 by an unknown maker and incorporates a cylinder escapement.
Constructed from brass and steel, the movement measures approximately 9 mm in thickness by 46 mm in diameter. The unmounted mechanism exhibits circular brass plates with engraved foliage and scrollwork, accompanied by visible steel springs, levers, and pinned perimeter apertures.
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
- 1790-1800
- Type
- Pocket watch movement
- Maker
- Unknown
- Materials
- brass and steel
- Escapement
- cylinder escapement
- Loan credit
- On loan from Bruno Roberts
- Place recorded
- Europe
- Place of manufacture
- Europe
Design
- Visible features
- • Circular brass movement plate with engraved floral and scroll motifs on the elevated circular covers • Perimeter ring perforated with rows of tuned musical comb pin holes around the outer edge • Exposed steel levers, detents, and pinion components mounted directly to the plate surface • Visible blued screw or mounting component set into the upper plate
- Identity and Recorded Provenance
- Held by the Science Museum Group under object number 1920-527, this object is catalogued as a musical pocket watch mechanism dating to 1790–1800. The museum records its place of manufacture as Europe, with the maker catalogued as unknown. The movement is recorded as being on loan from Bruno Roberts. Within institutional classification, it is indexed under the category 'Time Measurement' and typed as 'movement - clockwork and cylinder watch'.
- Observed Construction and Mechanism Features
- The primary movement element, catalogued under object number 1920-527/1, is constructed from brass (copper, zinc alloy) and steel, with museum measurements of 9 mm by 46 mm and a weight of .04 kg. Technical descriptions record it as incorporating a cylinder escapement. Visible physical features include a circular brass movement plate with engraved floral and scroll motifs on elevated circular covers. The assembly exhibits exposed steel levers, detents, and pinion components mounted directly to the plate surface, a visible blued screw or mounting component, and a perimeter ring perforated with rows of tuned musical comb pin holes around the outer edge.
- Associated Sub Assemblies and Documentation Limits
- A separate sub-entry, object number 1920-527/2, catalogues 'Parts, including a wheel and mainwheel, for Musical watch, cylinder escapement, about 1790-1800'. Dimensions for these detached parts are listed as 4 mm x 21 mm x 10 mm (0.001 kg) for the mainwheel and 2 mm by 15 mm (0.001 kg) for the wheel. The surviving item consists of an unmounted mechanism; an outer casing, dial, hands, and suspension elements are not recorded in this catalog entry. The museum also notes that records are continuously updated and accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
Identification
- Object number
- 1920-527
- 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: Maker is recorded as unknown by the museum
- Research required: Casing, dial, hands, and suspension elements are absent
- Research required: Associated separate components (including a wheel and mainwheel) are recorded under sub-number 1920-527/2