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Rob Crook 18 Karat Yellow Gold Keywind Pocket Watch, c. 1845 — view 1 of 6
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Rob Crook 18 Karat Yellow Gold Keywind Pocket Watch, c. 1845

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Unrecorded in source
Date
c. 1845
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
gold
Stock no.
Product 4202
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 4202)
Catalogue title (original)
Rob Crook 18 Karat Yellow Gold Keywind 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 4202), this is a pocket watch, dated c. 1845. 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. 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 Rob Crook 18 Karat Yellow Gold Keywind Pocket Watch, dating back to circa 1845, is an exquisite example of English craftsmanship from the mid-18th century. This elegant timepiece, meticulously crafted in 18kt yellow gold, embodies the timeless appeal and precision that sets it apart from modern watches. Featuring an open face style with a manually wound keywind mechanism, the watch movement is adorned with 13 jewels, underscoring its exceptional quality. Measuring 47mm in diameter, the watch boasts a classic design that remains relevant through the ages. The original enamel dial, complemented by Roman numerals and blued steel hands, has been impeccably preserved, showcasing the enduring elegance of this nearly two-century-old piece. Despite its age, the watch is in excellent condition, with virtually no signs of wear on the case, a testament to the durability and superior craftsmanship of the era. Created by Rob Crook in the Greek Revival style, this pocket watch is not just a functional timepiece but a collector’s item that holds significant historical value and deserves a place in any horological enthusiast’s collection. This exquisite English pocket watch, crafted in 18kt yellow gold, dates back to 1845 and features an open face style with a keywind mechanism that is manually wound. The watch movement houses 13 jewels, adding to the precision and craftsmanship of this timepiece. Measuring at a diameter of 47mm, this watch has a classic yet timeless appeal that sets it apart from modern timepieces. The dial of this pocket watch features original enamel with Roman numerals, perfectly preserved over time, while the blued steel hands add a touch of elegance to the overall design. While this watch has been around for nearly two centuries, the condition is impeccable, with virtually no signs of wear and tear on the case. This is a true testament to the quality and durability of the timepieces made during that era. Overall, this elegant watch is a collector’s item that deserves a place in any horological enthusiast’s collection. Creator: Rob Crook Style: Greek Revival Place of Origin: Unknown Period: Mid-18th Century Date of Manufacture: 1840’s Condition: Excellent

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:Verge escapementDetached lever escapementFuseeIdentification Centre

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