Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
Bruder Klumak, Vienna, gold pocket watch presented to a ship's captain in 1899
- Maker / attribution
- Unrecorded in source
- Date
- 1890
- Historical period
- Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
- Country of origin
- Austria
- Object type
- Pocket watch
- Dimensions
- Diameter 50 mm
- Dealer
- WatchMuseum.org shop
- Stock no.
- Product 2238
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 2238)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Bruder Klumak Wien pocket watch (English)
Editor's note
The engraving dates the presentation (1899), not the manufacture; the listing dates the watch c. 1890.View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 2238), this is a pocket watch, made in Austria, dated 1890. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Pocket Watches collection. Recorded dimensions: Diameter 50 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop
The Bruder Klumak Wien pocket watch, crafted in Vienna around 1890, is a stunning example of vintage horology that exudes elegance and historical significance. Encased in a triple-layered 18K gold case, this exquisite timepiece is powered by a mechanical “remontoir” movement and boasts a 50mm diameter, all while being preserved in excellent condition. What sets this pocket watch apart is the deeply personal engraved dedication on its back, which reads: “To Captain Riccardo Mayer, Commander of the Austrian Lloyd Steamer Silesia on the occasion of his retirement, 1899.” This inscription reveals that the watch was a special gift commemorating the captain’s retirement. Adding to its charm and historical value is an additional engraving inside the dedication that states: “To my dear son, as a souvenir of his father – Riccardo Mayer, Venice 1907,” making this timepiece not just a watch, but a cherished family heirloom. With its rich history, impeccable craftsmanship, and personal touches, this vintage pocket watch is a remarkable piece that would be a prized addition to any collection or an extraordinary gift for someone special. This is a stunning vintage pocket watch that was crafted by Bruder Klumak of Vienna around 1890. It features a triple case made of 18K gold and is powered by a mechanical “remontoir” movement. The watch has a diameter of 50mm and is in excellent condition. What makes this pocket watch particularly interesting is the engraved dedication on the back, which reads: “To Captain Riccardo Mayer, Commander of the Austrian Lloyd Steamer Silesia on the occasion of his retirement, 1899.” It’s clear that this watch was given as a special gift to commemorate the captain’s retirement. To make this piece even more special, there is an additional engraving inside the dedication that reads: “To my dear son, as a souvenir of his father – Riccardo Mayer, Venice 1907.” This personal dedication adds even more charm and history to this already unique timepiece. Overall, this vintage pocket watch is a beautiful piece that would make a fantastic addition to any collection or an unforgettable gift for someone special. Creator: Bruder Klumak Case Material: 18k Gold Weight: 125 g Case Shape: Round Movement: Manual Wind Case Dimensions: Diameter: 50 mm (1.97 in) Place of Origin: Austria Period: 1890-1899 Date of Manufacture: 1890 Condition: Excellent. In original box.
Inscriptions & marks
Engraved dedication (as rendered by the dealer): 'To Captain Riccardo Mayer, Commander of the Austrian Lloyd Steamer Silesia on the occasion of his retirement, 1899.'
Historical context
Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)
American interchangeable-parts manufacture; railroad time standards; Swiss and German factory systems.
Machine production with interchangeable parts, pioneered by Waltham (1850s) and adopted by Elgin, Longines, Omega and others, made reliable lever watches widely affordable. Keyless winding became standard, railroad watch standards were introduced (1890s), and Swiss and American industries competed globally.
Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Precision & Scientific Horology
Atlas type guide
Pocket watches
The pocket watch was the dominant personal timekeeper from the late seventeenth century until the First World War. Its development tracks the history of the escapement: verge watches with fusees until the late eighteenth century; Thomas Mudge's lever escapement (c. 1755) and the cylinder escapement popularised by George Graham and later by Swiss makers; and the Swiss and English lever watches of the nineteenth century. Lépine's bar-bridge calibre and keyless winding made watches thinner and easier to use.
Industrialisation transformed the trade: American factories such as Waltham (from 1850) and Elgin produced interchangeable parts by machine, and Swiss makers responded with their own mechanisation after the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition. By 1900 a reliable watch was affordable to millions; the finest makers continued to produce complications and precision watches.
What to look for
- The escapement: verge (crown wheel), cylinder, duplex, English or Swiss lever.
- Key winding (a square arbor in dial or back) or keyless crown winding.
- Signatures and serial numbers on the movement, dial and inside case back.
- Hallmarks, case maker's marks and gold or silver standards stamped in the case.
- Dial material: enamel, silver, gold, later printed metal.
Dating clues
- Verge watches dominate before c. 1800; cylinder watches c. 1770–1900; lever watches after c. 1820.
- Keyless winding: increasingly common after c. 1860.
- Manufacturer serial number lists exist for Waltham, Elgin, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe and others.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Verge escapementDetached lever escapementFuseeIdentification Centre
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