
Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
Georgian Rose cut Diamond 20 Kt gold Abraham Colomby, c. 1760
- Maker / attribution
- Unrecorded in source
- Date
- c. 1760
- Historical period
- Precision & Scientific Horology (1750 – 1850)
- Country of origin
- Unrecorded in source
- Object type
- Pocket watch
- Materials / technique
- gold, diamond
- Dealer
- WatchMuseum.org shop
- Stock no.
- Product 5489
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 5489)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Georgian Rose cut Diamond 20 Kt gold Abraham Colomby (English)
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 5489), this is a pocket watch, dated c. 1760. The Atlas places it in the Precision & Scientific Horology period (1750 – 1850) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold, diamond. 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
Discover the timeless elegance and historical significance of the Georgian Rose Cut Diamond Pocket Watch, a masterful creation dating back to circa 1760. This exceptional timepiece is a rare gem from the Georgian era, meticulously preserved to reflect its storied past and the meticulous care it has received over centuries. Signed by the illustrious Abraham Colomby, a distinguished Swiss watchmaker from a renowned Geneva family, this pocket watch stands as a testament to exquisite craftsmanship and heritage. The watch is composed of two intricately crafted parts: a durable protective case made of solid 20 Kt yellow gold and silver, rigorously tested for authenticity, and a front case adorned with a circle of stunning rose-cut diamonds. This extraordinary piece not only serves as a functional timekeeping device but also as a captivating artifact, embodying the artistry and precision of 18th-century Swiss watchmaking. This exquisite pocket watch is a rare find from the Georgian era. It is in remarkably well-preserved condition, a testament to the care and appreciation it has received over the years. The dial and movement are both signed by Abraham Colomby, a renowned Swiss maker and retailer from a distinguished watchmaking family in Geneva. Crafted with precision, the watch consists of two parts. The protective case is made of solid 20 Kt yellow gold and silver, and it has been tested to ensure its authenticity. The front of the case is adorned with a circle of stunning rose cut diamonds, adding a touch of elegance and luxury. Even the release of the case features a rose cut diamond, further enhancing its beauty. On the back side of the case, there is a captivating enamel portrait of a lady along with more rose cut diamonds. The intricacy and attention to detail in the design is truly remarkable. The watch measures 53 mm in diameter, making it a substantial and eye-catching piece. A total of 142 rose cut diamonds are incorporated into this watch, ranging in diameter from 0.01 mm to 1.8 mm. Each diamond adds a touch of sparkle and sophistication. The inner watch is made of plain 20 Kt yellow gold and measures 31 mm in diameter. The movement is a gilded verge movement, signed and numbered by Abraham Colomby (serial number 8777). The balance cock is delicately pierced and engraved, and it features a ruby endstone. The large silver regulator disc adds a touch of elegance to the overall design. The movement is in good condition and is currently running well. This watch is not only a rare timekeeper but also a sophisticated jewel of the Georgian era. It is a true epitome of the elegance and wealth that characterized the gentlemen of that time. Despite its age, it is in excellent condition, showcasing the remarkable craftsmanship of its time. Please note that due to its age, long-term precision and regularity cannot be guaranteed. Nevertheless, this pocket watch remains a stunning and valuable piece of history. Creator: Abraham Colomby Case Material: Gold Stone: Diamond Stone Cut: Rose Cut Weight: 54.3 g Case Shape: Round Movement: Manual Wind Case Dimensions: Height: 53 mm (2.09 in)Diameter: 37 mm (1.46 in) Style: Georgian Place of Origin: Europe Period: 1760-1769 Date of Manufacture: Circa 1760 Condition: Good
Historical context
Precision & Scientific Horology (1750 – 1850)
Harrison solves longitude; Mudge invents the lever; Breguet's Paris workshop defines the modern watch.
From 1750 to 1850 the watch became a precision instrument. Mudge's lever escapement, the cylinder escapement, Lépine's thin bar calibre, Breguet's innovations (overcoil, tourbillon, perpétuelle) and the pocket chronometer of Arnold and Earnshaw all date from this period, while verge watches remained common in cheaper production.
Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Early Modern 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:Detached lever escapementFuseeIdentification Centre
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