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John Cashmore Yellow Gold Half Quarter Repeater Pocket Watch, c. 1893 — view 1 of 6
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

John Cashmore Yellow Gold Half Quarter Repeater Pocket Watch, c. 1893

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Unrecorded in source
Date
c. 1893
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
gold
Stock no.
Product 2525
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 2525)
Catalogue title (original)
John Cashmore Yellow Gold Half Quarter Repeater Pocket Watch (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 2525), this is a pocket watch, dated c. 1893. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. 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 John Cashmore Yellow Gold Half Quarter Repeater Pocket Watch, dating back to circa 1893, is a masterful blend of elegance and precision, embodying the distinguished craftsmanship of its creator. This exquisite timepiece features an 18ct yellow gold half hunter case adorned with blue inlaid enamel Roman numerals on the front cover and a crest of The Dacre Ram’s head on the back, all meticulously hallmarked to confirm its 1893 origin. The white enamel dial, marked with Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial, is signed by John Cashmore London, further enhanced by the original blued steel double spade hands and seconds hand, which contribute to its refined aesthetic. The watch’s three-quarter plate movement is fully jeweled with screwed-in chatons, a compensation balance keyless lever escapement, and a half-quarter repeating function, all signed by John Cashmore Finsbury London, showcasing the intricate mechanics within. John Cashmore, who began his work in 1857 from his Finsbury, London workshop, is celebrated for his unwavering commitment to quality, and this pocket watch stands as a testament to his enduring legacy. With a 50 mm diameter case crafted from 18k yellow gold, this piece is not just a timekeeper but a historical artifact from late 19th century England, preserved in excellent condition. This is a stunning John Cashmore pocket watch from around 1893. The watch features an 18ct yellow gold half hunter case with blue inlaid enamel Roman numerals on the front cover and a crest of The Dacre Ram’s head on the back cover. The case is all English hallmarked for 1893. The white enamel Roman numeral dial has a subsidiary seconds dial and outer minute track and is signed John Cashmore London. The original blued steel double spade hands with original blued steel seconds hand complete the elegant look. The three quarter plate movement is fully jewelled with screwed in chatons, compensation balance keyless lever escapement, and a half quarter repeating function. The movement is signed John Cashmore Finsbury London. John Cashmore, born in 1821, worked from 1 North Buildings, South Place, Finsbury, London from around 1857. While not especially innovative, Cashmore achieved a reputation for consistency and excellence in quality. This beautiful pocket watch is an excellent testament to his craftsmanship. Creator: John Cashmore Case Material: 18k Gold,Yellow Gold Case Shape: Round Case Dimensions: Diameter: 50 mm (1.97 in) Place of Origin: England Period: Late 19th Century Date of Manufacture: 1893 Condition: Excellent

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

Repeating watches

Before electric light, telling the time in the dark was a real problem. Repeating watches strike the time on demand when a slide or push-piece is operated: quarter repeaters sound hours and quarters, minute repeaters hours, quarters and minutes. Edward Barlow and Daniel Quare disputed the invention in London in the 1680s. Early repeaters struck on a bell inside the case; Abraham-Louis Breguet introduced the gong (a coiled steel wire) around 1780, allowing thinner watches.

Repeaters require a separate train with racks, snails and a governor to control the striking speed, and are among the most demanding complications to make and adjust. Swiss makers of the Vallée de Joux specialised in repeating ébauches in the nineteenth century.

What to look for

  • A slide on the case band or a push-piece through the pendant.
  • Gongs encircling the movement (after c. 1780) or a bell in the case (earlier); pierced case for sound.
  • The racks, snails and governor visible under the dial or on the movement.
  • Terms such as 'Minutes', 'Quarts' or 'Répétition' on the dial or cuvette.

Dating clues

  • Bell-striking quarter repeaters: c. 1690–1800.
  • Gong repeaters and dumb repeaters (striking on the case): after c. 1780.
  • Minute repeaters became more common after c. 1830 with Vallée de Joux ébauches.

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:Minute repeater

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