Watch, Pocket

Object Name:

Watch, Pocket

Object ID:

1936.014.01

Place of Origin:

Geneva, Switzerland

Date:

1870

Description:

Watch and chain, gold. In wooden box. Circular watch case with flat border around edge containing an alternating simple geometric shape in gold with single blossom between them on black background. Geometric shape of simple "S"s back-to-back and connected on one edge. Plain winding stem on side of case with fluted, flattened knob that depresses to unlock cover. Convex glass crystal over white dial with black Roman numerals. Black minute ticks, black spade hands, and separate seconds dial with plain hand and Arabic numbers every ten seconds. Stamped "18 K" inside of cover. Small "58" stamped below it. On chain one decoration of setting key as an unengraved seal. Cover opens on back of watch via small button on edge near winding stem. On inside of polished cover stamped "18K". Stamped near bottom: "80058". Engraved in three lines in script: "Susie E. Jewell, / from her father. / Mar. 7, 1870." Engine-turned border on dust cover on inside. Central portion polished. Engraved on center near top an elaborate "N 80058". Below that in script: "Henry Lavalette". Below that "Geneva". Dust cover opens to reveal inside surface polished with some fine, semi-circular scratches in it as if polished with very fine abrasive. "80058" stamped on inside of dust cover. Works mechanism in steel with polished steel screws. Five jewels visible. Lever regulator. Engraved on regulating bridge: "F 4321 1234 S". On same bridge next to setting stub: "Henry Lavalette Geneva N80058". Hunter cases, winding stem at 3:00 position. Small, plain central shield with oval around it on front cover. Background of square-pattern of small squares appearing to be abstract leaves in them. Grooves with some black material missing around edge. A little black missing from central design. Similar, rectilinear background pattern with decorated oval in center on back of case. Also, on back, more black material missing from some of grooves and decorations.
Chain in two sections. Small interlocking loops forming a cylindrical shape with solid terminals at ends. Short length: 2.4" long, 20.1". Spring-loaded clasp at end of long chain or end of watch bow. Split ring at other connecting to shorter section of chain. Tapering, hairpin-shape loop at split ring with small safety ring on end that catches small knob on thin end of loop. Small faceted crystal glass Christian cross at end of short section of chain. Small, possibly silver, filigreed, flat shoe. Gold winding and for-setting key with slightly-flattened sphere with black decorative designs on it. Matching flattened globe with circular, flat, polished, greenish stone on bottom.
Slightly-warped wooden box, height ~1.3", width 5.4", overall depth that includes locking knob: 3.76". Box 3.66" in depth. Small, inlaid in rectangle on top with concave corners, perhaps ivory. Box light-brown, hardwood. Steel hinge and lock fittings slightly tarnished. Blued polished screws. Inside of cover off-white satin. Stamped on it: "HENRY LAVALETTE 80058 and Geneva" in arches. Greenish velvet to bottom of box. Elevated and sculpted velvet cover mount for watch. Below mount, spare convex glass cover. Spare main spring wrapped in brown tissue. Single band around main spring with twisted wire end.

Material:

Metal
Gold
Wood
Glass
Steel

Dimensions:

H-2.3 W-1.6 D-0.5 inches Weight-2.963 oz

Provenance:

Presented to Susan E. Jewell (1854-1936) of Boston, MA, by her father, Harvey Jewell (1820-1881) on her 16th birthday, March 7, 1870. Susan was the sister of Margaret H. Jewell.

Credit Line:

Gift of Margaret H. Jewell

People:

Jewell, Susan E. (1854-1936)