Striking stackfreed watch with indication for date, (day-of-month)

Description — British Museum

Striking stackfreed watch with indication for date, (day-of-month); with rounded case.

Curator's comments — British Museum

Comment from Hugh Tait, Catalogue of Watches in the British Museum. Vol. I (1987) Maker Unknown; probably German, late 16th or early 17th century Striking Watch with Indication for the Date (Day of the Month) Back: standard; in the centre, a threaded hole for the attachment of the bell, which appears to be original. Band: constructed in the same manner as registration no. 1958,1201.2217. The original silver overlay has been replaced in recent times by a flat silver strip, engraved with scrolls and pierced. This later strip is pinned at the sides and is fitted underneath the plate for the pendant; the finial was screwed through the overlay. Turned pendant with later ring. Lid: the centre has been removed and a glass fitted, secured by a ring riveted to the underside of the rim; no latch. Dial: the original silver chapter-ring has been replaced by a more modern silver chapter-ring numbered I-XII, without quarter divisions or touch-pins. The gilt-metal central roundel is engraved with a landscape depicting a riverside town with the setting sun on the right and clouds in the sky; a small hole has been cut between the centre and VIII to permit the date ring to be seen. The rim is plain. The dial plate has been regilded. Key-operated latch at VI. The hand is a later replacement. Strike-release hole at IX. Movement: Brass plates and pillars, the pillars with engraved straight lines and conical sinks. All the furniture has been replaced, except the brass stackfreed-wheel and cam, long-type cock; the upper surface of the pillar-plate has been 'stoned' off. The going-train has been renewed throughout, the clip for the crown-wheel is original. The outer block for the striking mainspring has been removed; the third-wheel and the fly-pinion are replacements, the remainder of the train is of steel; the brass locking-arm is screwed to its arbor and pierced and engraved to resemble a dolphin. Diameter (of case): 58.0mm. Provenance: Ilbert Collection, 1958. Notes: 1. Although the date-ring (and the wheel driving it) are modern replacements, it is probable that this watch originally had such a mechanism, because the appropriate sink in the plate can still be seen. 2. It seems probable that although this watch was in an exceedingly poor condition, for some reason the work of restoration was begun but never completed. 3. For other examples of a double-walled band, the outer executed in silver, see registration nos 1958,1201.2217 and 1958,1201.2226. 4. The central roundel of the dial may be a modern addition, as the engraving is not entirely convincing. 5. For other examples of the use of the motif of engraved lines and conical sinks, see registration nos 1958,1201.2211; 1888,1201.158; 1888,1201.154 and 1888,1201.166; also the chaise-watch by 'M R' (in Volume II). 6. The floral elements in the design of the pierced back can be most closely paralleled on two oval watch-cases, registration nos 1888,1201.153 and 1958,1201.2226.