Watch thumbnail 1

Watch

ca. 1670 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

European watches were sent to the Ottoman Empire in the sixteenth century. From the beginning of the seventeenth century there was a body of Genevan watchmakers in Constantinople. In April 1671 Sébastien Chappuis in Constantinople ordered fifty astronomical watches from one Genevan maker and forty from another. Astronomical watches had a particular appeal because they could assist in the calculation of religious festivals.

The case of this watch appears to have been decorated and probably made in Turkey. The movement was probably made by a Swiss watchmaker, either in Geneva, for the Ottoman market, or in Turkey. The dial and movement bear finely executed Arabic inscriptions, which indicate that they were engraved in Turkey, not in Geneva.

The name inscribed on the top plate of the movement in Arabic has been read as 'Jan Ptrw'. A number of watchmakers named Pattru (or Patru) are recorded as working in Geneva in the seventeenth century. 'Jan Ptrw' may refer to Jean Pattru, who was working in the rue du Temple in 1666.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Engraved gilt brass and silver
Brief description
Gilt metal and silver watch with movement by Jean Pattru (the name inscribed in Arabic), probably Turkey, ca. 1670
Physical description
Engraved gilt brass and silver watch. The gilt-brass case is engraved with scrolling foliage and flowers on a horizontally engraved ground. On the lid the flowers and foliage issue from a vase. The silver dial is engraved with flowers and foliage on a horizontally engraved ground. The upper dial has a hand which points to the day of the month (with 'Indian' numerals, 1-29) on a gilt-metal ring. The lower dial has a hand which points to the hours (with 'Indian numerals', 1-12) on a gilt-metal ring. There are three apertures in the dial. The top one is circular and shows the phases of the moon. The others show the days of the week and the months (see inscriptions). The movement has a verge escapement with fusee and gut. The top plate is engraved with floral decoration and, in Arabic, 'Jan Ptrw'. It has a pierced cock with single pierced foot.
Dimensions
  • Case length: 80mm
  • Case width: 53mm
  • Depth: 29mm
Marks and inscriptions
  • signed in Arabic 'Jan Ptrw' (Maker or vendor's name on the top plate of the movement, probably for Jean Pattru)
  • Two apertures on the dial are placed above rotating silver discs engraved with the days of the week (on the left, if the watch is held with the catch at the bottom) and the names of the months (on the right) in Arabic.
Object history
The watch was bought by the Museum from the dealer Percy Webster, 37 Great Portland Street, London W., in 1907 for £17 3s 2d.
Summary
European watches were sent to the Ottoman Empire in the sixteenth century. From the beginning of the seventeenth century there was a body of Genevan watchmakers in Constantinople. In April 1671 Sébastien Chappuis in Constantinople ordered fifty astronomical watches from one Genevan maker and forty from another. Astronomical watches had a particular appeal because they could assist in the calculation of religious festivals.

The case of this watch appears to have been decorated and probably made in Turkey. The movement was probably made by a Swiss watchmaker, either in Geneva, for the Ottoman market, or in Turkey. The dial and movement bear finely executed Arabic inscriptions, which indicate that they were engraved in Turkey, not in Geneva.

The name inscribed on the top plate of the movement in Arabic has been read as 'Jan Ptrw'. A number of watchmakers named Pattru (or Patru) are recorded as working in Geneva in the seventeenth century. 'Jan Ptrw' may refer to Jean Pattru, who was working in the rue du Temple in 1666.
Bibliographic references
Collection
Accession number
136-1907

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJuly 27, 2005
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest