Silver watch with '6-hour dial' by William Bartram
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c.1680
This silver pair-cased pocket watch was made in London around 1680 by William Bartram. The dial uses an experimental six-hour layout where the single steel hand completes one revolution every six hours rather than twelve.
To represent twelve hours across each half of the day, Arabic numerals 7 through 12 are positioned over Roman numerals I through VI, and minute graduations from 1 to 60 appear between each hour. The museum notes the watch features a verge escapement signed 'Will Bertram, London' on the movement backplate, an outer calendar ring, an inner case engraved 'J. Smith', and an outer case marked 'J.S.'.
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
- c.1680
- Type
- Verge & pair-cased watch
- Maker
- William Bartram
- Dimensions
- 55 mm x 47 mm x 28 mm
- Dial features
- Silver champlevé dial with 6-hour rotation and outer calendar ring
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Movement signature
- Will Bertram, London
- Maker / attribution
- William Bartram
Design
- Visible features
- • Silver pair case with a rounded bow and suspension ring at top and an external hinge on the left. • Silver champlevé dial featuring an intricately engraved floral and foliate center rosette. • Dual hour chapter ring displaying Roman numerals I through VI beneath Arabic numerals 7 through 12. • Divisions between hour markers calibrated with numerals 20, 40, and 60. • Single dark steel hand pointing toward the right quadrant.
- Dial Configuration
- The watch features a silver champlevé dial with a single steel hand that completes one rotation every 6 hours. To represent the 12 hours of the day, Arabic numerals 7 through 12 are placed over Roman numerals I through VI. The dial includes an outer calendar ring and minute graduations numbered 1 to 60 between each hour marker.
- Movement and Attribution
- The movement features a verge escapement. The backplate is signed 'Will Bertram, London'. The object is attributed to William Bartram and dated to approximately 1680. The variation in name spelling between the source's title and the signed backplate is noted in the provided documentation.
- Case and External Markings
- The timepiece is a silver pair-cased watch. The inner case is engraved with the name 'J. Smith', while the outer case is marked 'J.S.', which the source suggests may refer to the original owner. The watch is constructed from materials including brass, silver alloy, steel, and glass, with overall dimensions of 55 mm x 47 mm x 28 mm.
Identification
- Object number
- L2015-3123
- 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 backplate, escapement, and case back engravings are not visible in the front photograph.
- Research required: The museum notes the backplate signature spells the maker's name 'Will Bertram'.