Tipu Sultan's watch

V&A — Summary

The gold pair-cased watch is signed Ellicott London, and the movement is numbered 6154. The case, hallmarked London 1768-9, bears the maker's mark TL with star above for Thomas Layton. It is engraved 'JD' within a chased wreath that seems to be contemporary with the date of the case. The bar of the watch is gilded brass and is not original; the hands are also later replacements. The watch was taken from the treasury of Tipu Sultan at the Siege of Seringapatam in May 1799 when the British army defeated the ruler of Mysore in southern India. It was given to the Indian Museum by Colonel E.F. Waterman of the Madras Staff Corps on 12 March 1877 and was said to have been purchased from the soldier who killed Tipu Sultan. On the back is an engraved inscription: 'This watch was found on the person of Tippoo, Sultan of Mysore on his death and was presented to the Indian Museum by Colonel Edmund Frederick Waterman (Madras Staff Corps) specially to carry out the wishes of his late dear wife, a daughter of Brigadier Robert McDowell into whose hands as Lieut. R. McDowell the watch came on the 4th May 1799'.

V&A — Physical description

Gold pair case with verge escapement. Signed Ellicott London. Movement number 6154. Case hallmarked London 1768-9, bearing maker's mark TL with star above for Thomas Layton. Engraved 'JD' almost certainly original within a wreath apparently contemporary with the case.

V&A — Object history

This watch was given to the Indian Museum and was entered in the slip book (no. 5251) as having been received on 12 March, 1877. It was presented by Col. E.F. Waterman, Madras Staff Corps, but with the note that "This is presented at the special request of Col. Waterman's late wife" [who was the daughter of Brigadier McDowel]. The "Additional particulars" note: "A gold watch, [by Ellicott of London] formerly belonging to Tippoo Sultan of Mysore, and which on 4th May 1799 became by purchase from the soldier who killed "Tippoo" the property of Lieut Robert McDowal [sic], afterwards Brigadier McDowal, who was killed while leading his brigade in the first Burmese War 1824-26."

V&A — Production note

Formerly owned by Tipu Sultan

V&A gallery label

POCKET WATCH Gold cases with chased and engraved ornament Movement with verge escapement by Ellicott of London, number 6154 Cases by Thomas Layton 1768-69 03173 (IS) Given to the Indian Museum by Colonel E.F. Waterman in 1877 A British officer, Lieutenant McDowell, bought this watch at Seringapatam in 1799, supposedly from the soldier who had killed Tipu Sultan. The engraved inscription states that it was found on the Tipu’s body, but this may be an invention.