Museum Collections
Luce Center
Pocket watch with extra dial and key
Object Number:
1979.114a-h
Date:
ca. 1841
Medium:
Gold, glass; silver; brass, steel; tortoise shell, wood, velvet, satin; steel; paper
Dimensions:
Overall (a): 3 in. × 7/16 in. × 2 1/16 in. (7.6 × 1.1 × 5.2 cm)
Overall (b): 1/16 in. × 1 7/8 in. (0.2 × 4.8 cm)
Marks:
monogram: on inside of back of case: " W.C.A."
goldsmith's marks: on back of movement casing: "C.F. Pfeiffer/ IN NEW = YORK/ Hands/ RUBY CYLINDER/ SUXTEEN HOLES JEWELLED / N 5491/ INDEPENDENT SECONDS/ PARACHUTE AND COMPENSATION"
goldsmith's marks: on in
Description:
Open-face man's pocket watch; gold dial and casing; roman numeral hours with minute markings; scalloped circular engraving on dial; steel moon hour, minute and second hands; oval pendant knob and round bow; glass face; engraving on back of movement case. Silver dial with roman numeral hours and minute markings. Brass and steel key with round and oval loops. Tortoise shell-plated wood octagonal box with brown leather on the bottom; two latches with hooks; inside has two cut-out circles for watch and extra dial. Blue tinted steel moon steel hour and minute hands. Paper wrappers for hands, one with writing.
Gallery Label:
The donor believes that this watch belonged to his grandfather, a nephew of President Buchanan (served 1857-1861) who lived at the White House as the president's private secretary.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mr. W. A. Henry
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.




