Rotherhams Silver Hunter Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1887
This gentleman's silver hunter pocket watch, produced by Rotherhams of London, dates to 1887 and carries the serial number 78285. The watch is constructed with a key-wound movement featuring a fusee and chain mechanism and a lever escapement.
The white dial displays Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock. Both the dial and the back plate are signed 'Rotherhams, London'. The watch case bears a London hallmark dating to 1886-1887, identified by an uncrowned leopard and a capital L in a pointed shield. An inner cover features an inscription presenting the watch to Joseph Sleeman, the school teacher in Glenmaggie, Victoria, dated 24 May 1893.
The object was acquired by the museum in 1968 via a donation from Mrs. P. E. Oates. It measures 5 cm in outside diameter and 1.7 cm in width.
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
- Hunter pocket watch
- Maker
- Rotherhams
- Hallmark
- London 1886-1887
- Movement type
- Key wound, fusee and chain, lever escapement
- Serial Number
- 78285
- Place recorded
- England
- Presentation date
- 24 May 1893
- Date of manufacture
- 1887
- Maker / attribution
- Rotherhams
- Registration Number
- ST 26503
Design
- Case and Dial
- The object is a gentleman's hunter pocket watch featuring a silver case. The exterior of the hunter case is designed to protect the dial, which is accessed by opening the hinged front cover. The dial itself is white and features a traditional layout with Roman numerals to mark the hours and a subsidiary seconds dial located at the 6 o'clock position. The casing measures 5 cm in outside diameter with a width of 1.7 cm. The overall construction incorporates a pendant and bow at the top for attachment to a chain.
- Visible features
- • White dial with Roman numerals • Subsidiary seconds hand at 6 o'clock position • Hunter style case with hinged cover • Pendant and bow located at the 12 o'clock position
- Signatures, Marks, and Provenance
- The watch bears significant marks indicating both its origin and its later ownership. The case is stamped with a London hallmark for 1886-1887, identified by the presence of an uncrowned leopard and a capital L in a pointed shield. These marks confirm the assay location and date of the silver case. The internal inscription records the watch's presentation to Joseph Sleeman, the school teacher in Glenmaggie, on 24 May 1893. The object was later acquired by the Museum Victoria in August 1968 through a donation from Mrs. P. E. Oates,
- Movement and Technical Specifications
- It utilizes a fusee and chain mechanism to provide constant force to the gear train, paired with a lever escapement for timekeeping regulation. The movement components are housed within the silver case, with the back plate explicitly signed by the maker, Rotherhams of London. The serial number 78285 is assigned to this specific movement, linking it to the documented date of 1887.
Identification
- Serial number
- 78285
- 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: Inscription on inner cover records name as 'Joseph Steeman' whereas association records name as 'Joseph Sleeman'
- Research required: The museum description lists the date as 1887 but mentions a 1886-1887 hallmark