Pocket watch, G. Croft & Co, Coventry, 1880
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1880
Gents pocket watch, German silver case, open face, G. Croft & Co., Coventry & London, circa 1880. Issued to Victorian Railways staff. Said by donor to be one of the first watches issued to Victorian Railways staff. The donor, Fritz Joachim Schlegel, was a Victorian railway employee. He served in the German Army during World War II, and was a 'camera assistant' at the time of his discharge in 1946.
He appears to have arrived in Australia some time between 1952 and 1963 and lived for many years with his family near Geelong. German silver case, open face. White enamel dial has roman numerals. Key wound spring; lever escapement. Balance wheel is external to back plate. Has separate cock.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 4
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- German silver
- Dimensions
- Overall Dimensions: 1.7 cm (Width), 4.8 cm (Outside Diameter); Exhibition Collection Management: 70 mm (Length), 50 mm (Width), 15 mm (Height); Overall: 45 mm (Width)
Technical characteristics
- Maker recorded
- G. Croft & Co
- Place recorded
- Australia
Design
- Marks and inscriptions
- Back plate is marked 'G. Croft & Co, Coventry & London' and '27089'. Dial is marked 'G. Croft & Co'. Case is marked 'Croft' and '27089'. Outside of case is marked 'Victorian Railways', badly worn.
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Museums Victoria, Melbourne collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- mv-407940
- Museum object name
- Pocket Watch - G. Croft & Co, Coventry, circa 1880
- Holding institution
- Museums Victoria, Melbourne
- Museum object number
- ST 28868
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: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.