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Victor Kullberg Silver Lever Pocket Watch, c. 1890s — view 1 of 6
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Victor Kullberg Silver Lever Pocket Watch, c. 1890s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Unrecorded in source
Date
c. 1890s
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
silver
Stock no.
Product 3305
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 3305)
Catalogue title (original)
Victor Kullberg Silver Lever 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 3305), this is a pocket watch, dated c. 1890s. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: silver. 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 Victor Kullberg Silver Lever Pocket Watch from the 1890s is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship and timeless elegance of the Victorian era, capturing the essence of luxury and precision in horology. This rare and magnificent timepiece, originating from the esteemed Victor Kullberg of London, is a silver half hunter keyless lever watch that embodies both historical significance and sophisticated design. Encased in a protective silver frame pocket watch holder, this watch is not only a functional accessory but also a cherished collectible. The pristine white enamel dial, fully signed and numbered, features classic Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial, all complemented by the original blued steel spade hands. The heavy silver half hunter case is adorned with blue enamel Arabic numerals on its outer front cover, while the plain back cover and inner cover bear an inscription from 1897, showcasing its rich heritage. Crafted by Fred Toms, one of the finest pocket watch case makers of the time, the English hallmarked case and maker’s mark “FT” further enhance its authenticity and value. The timepiece’s keyless lever full plate movement is a marvel of engineering, highlighted by a Tourbillion-style bridge with a diamond endstone for the compensated balance wheel, reflecting the ingenuity of Victor Kullberg, a master watchmaker of his era. Accompanied by comprehensive records of its manufacture and construction costs, courtesy of the Guildhall Museum, this Victor Kullberg pocket watch and its associated silver frame holder are not just remarkable pieces of history but also a source of immense pride for any discerning collector. With its origins rooted in England during the 19th century and maintained in excellent condition, this 52 mm diameter silver masterpiece stands as a symbol of timeless elegance and horological excellence. Introducing the Victor Kullberg London pocket watch, a rare and exquisite silver half hunter keyless lever timepiece from the 1890s. This stunning watch comes in an associated silver frame pocket watch holder to keep it safe and sound. The perfect white enamel dial is fully signed and numbered, featuring Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial, with original blued steel spade hands. The heavy silver half hunter case boasts blue enamel Arabic numerals on the outer front cover and a plain back cover, while the inner cover bears an inscription dating back to 1897. The English hallmarked case and maker’s mark stamped “FT” indicate that it was made by one of the finest pocket watch case makers of the time, Fred Toms. The keyless lever full plate movement is especially noteworthy, featuring a Tourbillion-style bridge with a diamond endstone for the compensated balance wheel. This type of layout for the movement is incredibly rare, and the ingenuity of one of the finest watchmakers of his time, Victor Kullberg. This incredible pocket watch comes with all records of the manufacture and construction costs, obtained by kind permission from the Guildhall Museum. The Victor Kullberg London pocket watch and associated silver frame pocket watch holder are truly unique and remarkable pieces that any collector would be proud to own. Creator: Victor Kullberg Case Material: Silver Case Dimensions: Diameter: 52 mm (2.05 in) Place of Origin: England Period: 19th Century Date of Manufacture: 21st century Condition: Excellent

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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