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Tiffany & Co. Gold Pocket Watch, 1899 — view 1 of 6
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Tiffany & Co. Gold Pocket Watch, 1899

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Unrecorded in source
Date
1899
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
gold
Stock no.
Product 3661
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 3661)
Catalogue title (original)
Tiffany & Co. Gold 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 3661), this is a pocket watch, dated 1899. 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

Step back in time with the exquisite Tiffany & Co. Gold Pocket Watch from 1899, a masterful blend of elegance and functionality that stands as a testament to the unparalleled craftsmanship of the renowned jewelry house. This stunning timepiece, bearing the signature of Tiffany & Co. New York, is not just a watch but a piece of history, complete with a unique dual-face design that sets it apart from traditional pocket watches. Weighing 44.5 grammes and measuring 3.5 cm in both length and width, this gold pocket watch is as much a collector’s item as it is a functional accessory. With its serial number 99103, this watch encapsulates the meticulous attention to detail and superior quality that Tiffany & Co. is celebrated for. Originating from the United States and crafted in the late 19th century, this watch is in good condition, making it a rare find for any connoisseur of fine jewelry and horology. Owning this piece means appreciating not just its aesthetic beauty but also its rich historical significance. This is a stunning Tiffany & Co. gold pocket watch that has two faces. It is signed by Tiffany & Co. New York and was made in 1899. The watch has a serial number of 99103 and weighs 44.5 grammes. The length and width of the watch are both 3.5 cm. This watch is not only a piece of exquisite jewelry but also a functional timepiece. The two faces make it unique compared to traditional pocket watches. It’s a testament to the craftsmanship and skill of Tiffany & Co. and a true collector’s item. Anyone who owns this watch is sure to appreciate its elegance and history. Creator: Tiffany & Co. Case Material: Gold Weight: 44.5 g Case Dimensions: Height: 35 mm (1.38 in)Width: 35 mm (1.38 in) Place of Origin: United States Period: 1890-1899 Date of Manufacture: 1899 Condition: Good

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

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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