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Small Gold English Cylinder by Recordon, 1812 — view 1 of 5
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Small Gold English Cylinder by Recordon, 1812

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Recordon (maker)
Date
1812
Country of origin
England
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
gold
Stock no.
Product 4556
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 4556)
Catalogue title (original)
Small Gold English Cylinder by Recordon (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 4556), this is a pocket watch by Recordon, made in England, dated 1812. 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 5 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 “Small Gold English Cylinder by Recordon - 1812″ is a remarkable testament to early 19th-century horological craftsmanship, embodying both elegance and technical sophistication. Crafted by Recordon, this exquisite timepiece features a stunning gold engine-turned open face case that exudes timeless elegance. At its heart lies a rare full plate fire gilt fusee movement, secured uniquely with three blue steel dog screws, a hallmark of its era. The movement is a marvel of intricate decoration, boasting an engraved masked cock, a diamond endstone, and finely engraved components for the silver regulator disc. Complementing these are a plain three-arm flat brass balance and a blue steel spiral hairspring, showcasing the meticulous attention to detail. The gold dial, with its eye-catching engine-turned center and gold Arabic numerals on a matted ground, ensures readability and adds to the watch’s allure, further enhanced by elegant blue steel hands. Encased in 18 carat gold, the watch’s ribbed middle and engine-turned pattern elevate its aesthetic appeal. Winding is facilitated through a signed gilt cuvette, marked with “IM” and a unique number matching the movement, underscoring its authenticity. Signed by Recordon and hallmarked in London in 1812, this 40 mm diameter watch is more than a timepiece; it is a luxurious masterpiece of historical significance and exceptional design. This is an exceptional early 19th century English cylinder watch made by Recordon. It features a stunning gold engine turned open face case that adds a touch of elegance to the timepiece. The watch houses a full plate fire gilt fusee movement, which is quite rare for its time. What sets it apart even more is the way the movement is secured in the case, using three blue steel dog screws. The movement itself is beautifully decorated with an engraved masked cock, a diamond endstone, and an engraved foot and plate for the silver regulator disc. It also boasts a plain three arm flat brass balance and a blue steel spiral hairspring. The watch’s dial is made of gold and features an eye-catching engine turned center. The gold Arabic numerals stand out on the matted ground, making it easy to tell the time at a glance. The blue steel hands add a touch of elegance to the overall design. As for the case, it is made of 18 carat gold and has a stunning engine turned pattern on its surface. The ribbed middle adds an extra layer of sophistication to the watch’s appearance. The watch is wound through the signed gilt cuvette, which also bears the maker’s mark “IM” and a unique number that corresponds to the one on the movement. Overall, this early 19th century English cylinder watch by Recordon is a true masterpiece. Its exquisite design, high-quality movement, and stunning gold case make it a valuable and luxurious timepiece. Signed Recordon – late Emery – London Hallmarked London 1812 Diameter 40 mm

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 escapementIdentification Centre

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