Waterbury Watch Company Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1890
This gents pocket watch was produced by the Waterbury Watch Company in the United States of America, circa 1890. Housed in a white metal case, it features a stem and button winding mechanism.
The watch is distinguished by its duplex escapement and a spring length of approximately 27 inches. This specific example is identified as a later pattern rather than the long spring variant. The dial is made of white enamel and displays black Roman numerals, with a secondary seconds dial positioned at six o'clock. The movement plates bear inscriptions related to its 'Rugby' trade mark and duplex patents. This object, which was once owned by A.
Saunders of Sydney, entered the collection of Museums Victoria in 1929 via a donation from Mr. John Askew.
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 1890
- Type
- Open-face watch
- Maker
- Waterbury Watch Co
- Escapement
- Duplex
- Place recorded
- United States
- Dial Inscription
- Waterbury Watch Co USA and A. Saunders, Sydney
- Country of origin
- United States of America
- Winding mechanism
- Stem and button
- Maker / attribution
- Waterbury Watch Company
- Registration number
- ST 17952
- Movement Inscriptions
- Rugby Trade Mark, USA, Series R, Waterbury
Design
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial with Roman numerals • Seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock • Stem and button winding crown • White metal case construction
- Dial and Case Construction
- A small secondary dial for seconds is located at the six o'clock position on the face. Surrounding this seconds sub-dial, the face bears the retail or owner mark 'A. Saunders, Sydney' alongside the maker's signature 'Waterbury Watch Co USA'. The external housing of the watch is composed of white metal. The overall physical configuration measures approximately 4.5 cm in diameter. The watch operates via a stem and button winding system, which integrates into the top of the case near the bow, providing the energy for the internal spring mechanism.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The object is currently held by Museums Victoria under the registration number ST 17952. The provenance indicates that the watch was originally owned by an individual named A. Saunders, located in Sydney. The watch was acquired by the museum in 1929 through a donation provided by Mr. John Askew. This donation is recorded as having taken place on July 8, 1929, entering the museum's science and measurement collection shortly thereafter.
- Movement and Escapement Details
- Internally, the watch utilizes a duplex escapement. This design is paired with a spring measuring approximately 27 inches in length. Museum documentation notes that this particular watch represents a later pattern of the company's production, as it is distinct from the earlier long spring version. The movement plates contain various markings that identify the series and patents. The back plate displays the 'Rugby' trade mark and is stamped with 'Series R' and the company name. The inner plate includes an inscription referencing 'Duplex patents' followed by a list of relevant dates.
Identification
- Reference
- Series R
- 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 exact manufacturing date remains an attribution of 'circa 1890'
- Research required: Historical ownership by A. Saunders is attributed without verifying the precise timeframe of his possession