Rundell & Bridge Verge Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1790-1795
This English pocket watch, dated to approximately 1790-1795, features an enamelled gold case decorated with pearls. The watch was produced by the London firm Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, with the casemaking attributed to James Macklin.
The watch features a verge escapement mechanism, a standard design for the period. The white enamel dial is set within the case and exhibits Arabic numerals. The internal movement plate bears the signature 'Rundell & Bridge, London' and the movement number 2397. The watch was acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum as part of a bequest from Sir Victor Wellesley.
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
- 1790-1795
- Type
- Verge & pair-cased watch
- Maker
- Rundell, Bridge & Rundell
- Casemaker
- James Macklin
- Materials
- Enamelled gold and pearls
- Escapement
- Verge
- Serial Number
- 2397
- Place recorded
- England
- Maker / attribution
- Rundell, Bridge & Rundell
Design
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial with Arabic hour numerals • Outer bezel set with a border of small pearls • Pierced and engraved balance cock over the balance wheel • Movement plate signed 'Rundell & Bridge, London'
- Case and Exterior
- The primary visual feature of the exterior is a border of small, uniform pearls set into the bezel, which surrounds the watch face. This pearl setting contrasts with the underlying gold material of the case structure. The case construction is attributed to James Macklin, who acted as the casemaker for the firm. The object's total dimensions are recorded as 5.9 cm in height and 4.6 cm in width, with a depth of 2.9 cm.
- Movement and Escapement
- The internal mechanism is a verge escapement, a common arrangement for London-made watches during the 1790s. The movement is fitted with a large, decorative balance cock that is pierced and engraved with intricate patterns, which protects the balance wheel underneath. The movement plate serves as a canvas for the signature and identifying marks. It is inscribed with 'Rundell & Bridge, London' in a script style, along with the unique serial number 'N 2397'.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The watch is documented by the Victoria and Albert Museum under the accession number M.66-1954. This specific object reached the museum collection through the legacy of Sir Victor Wellesley, who bequeathed it to the institution. The records classify the watch as an English production from the London area. The dating of the object to 1790-1795 is provided by the institutional records, reflecting the consensus on the timeline for this specific type of movement and case configuration.
Identification
- Serial number
- 2397
- Accession Number
- M.66-1954
- 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: Casemaking attribution to James Macklin is based on historical records, not present as a signature on the object
- Research required: Precise dating remains an approximation within the 1790-1795 window