Saddle watch and pedometer
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1800
This object is a saddle watch and pedometer made around 1800 by Ralph Gout in London. Designed in the Adam style, it features an elongated drop-shaped mount of gilt base metal combined with vibrant blue, pink, and white enamel. Repeating decorative motifs appear in the chasing of the metal as well as in the painted enamelwork. The assembly measures 22.54 cm in length, while the circular watch component has a diameter of 5.71 cm.
The white dial incorporates multiple functions. The upper subdial indicates the time, while the pedometer indications are distributed across the face: a small dial on the right counts up to ten paces, another on the left registers 0 to 100 paces, and the outer perimeter of the main dial is calibrated up to 10,000 paces. The case is marked 'IN', and the top plate of the movement bears the engraved inscription 'By the King's Letter's PATENT'.
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.
Historical context
The mechanism was produced by wholesale watchmaker Ralph Gout, who worked in St Luke's, Old Street, London, from roughly 1770 to 1829. The patent inscription refers to patent no. 2351, which Gout obtained in 1799 for improvements to pedometer designs. Designed to fit onto a horse's saddle, the instrument counted the animal's strides. As the horse moved, the watch and outer case jerked up and down, pulling an internal chain that triggered the pedometer mechanism with each stride to calculate distance.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Gilt base metal case, with enamelled and gilt base metal mount
- Dimensions
- Length: 22.54 cm; Diameter: 5.71 cm
Technical characteristics
- Inscriptions
- Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: case; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: Research required; Script: Research required; Content: 'IN'; Language: Research required; Position: case; Inscriber: Name: Id: A8877; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required Date: Text: Research required; Latest: Research required; Earliest: Research required; Note: top plate; engraved; Type: Research required; Medium: Research required; Method: engraved; Script: Research required; Content: 'By the King's Letter's PATENT'; Language: Research required; Position: top plate; Inscriber: Name: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Association: Id: Research required; Text: Research required; Description: Research required; Translation: Research required; Interpretation: Research required; Transliteration: Research required
- Maker recorded
- Gout, Ralph
- Place recorded
- London
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Saddle watch and pedometer
- Museum object number
- 6954-1860
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.