Silver Pair-Cased Pocket Watch Signed Tompion
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1710
The watch features a two-body polished silver outer case and a matching two-body inner case with a split bezel, a shuttered winding aperture, and a loose ring pendant.
The silver champlevé dial displays radial Roman numerals, an outer minute track with Arabic five-minute numerals, and a central cartouche depicting a lion and unicorn beneath a crown, with the signature Tompion London. The movement is a 41 mm gilt brass caliber, featuring divided Egyptian pillars, a fusee and chain mechanism with worm and wheel setup, and a verge escapement. It utilizes a three-arm steel balance with a flat balance spring and a pierced, engraved balance cock with streamers, regulated by a silver disc.
The watch is signed on the dial and movement, though its authorship remains a point of uncertainty regarding the specific maker.
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
- circa 1710
- Type
- Verge & pair-cased watch
- Maker
- Tompion
- Case type
- Pair-cased
- Signature
- Dial and movement signed
- Escapement
- Verge
- Case material
- Silver
- Place recorded
- London
- Movement diameter
- 41 mm
- Maker / attribution
- Tompion (attributed)
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in a pair-case construction, both parts of which are two-body, polished silver and described as bassine in profile. The inner case is fitted with a split bezel and a shuttered winding aperture, allowing access to the movement without removing the watch from its inner casing. It also features a loose ring pendant for attachment to a chain or fob. The silver champlevé dial features a distinct central cartouche engraved with a lion and unicorn beneath a crown, accompanied by the signature "Tompion" and "London". Radial Roman numerals indicate the hours, while an outer track uses Arabic numerals for five-minute intervals. The dial is paired with pierced gilt hands, which are reported as replacements.
- Visible features
- • Silver champlevé dial with royal heraldic motifs • Pierced gilt hands • Split bezel inner case construction • Shuttered winding hole on the inner case back
- Movement and Escapement
- The movement measures 41 mm in diameter and is constructed of gilt brass. It is built with divided Egyptian pillars, a common construction feature for the era. Power is supplied via a fusee and chain drive, regulated by a worm and wheel setup. The escapement is of the verge type, with a three-arm steel balance and a flat balance spring. The balance cock is pierced and engraved with streamers, and a silver disc is utilized for regulation.
- Attribution and Condition
- The auction description indicates that while the piece is signed "Tompion London," it is not the work of the celebrated Thomas Tompion. The notes suggest the possibility that it was produced by a maker named G. Tompion, recorded as working around 1715, or by an unknown maker using the name Tompion falsely. The case is described as damaged, and the hands are verified as replaced.
Identification
- 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 source states the watch is not by the celebrated Thomas Tompion
- Research required: The hands are identified by the source as replaced