Saddle Watch and Pedometer
ca. 1800 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Object Type
A pedometer - which can be worn or carried by a person or an animal - counts the number of steps taken (Latin 'pes' means a foot), and uses this to provide an estimate of the distance travelled.
People
Ralph Gout was active as a wholesale watchmaker in the parish of St Luke's, Old Street, on the edge of the City of London, from about 1770 to 1829.
Technology
The word 'PATENT', which is engraved on the top plate of the movement, refers to the patent (no. 2351) obtained by Ralph Gout for improvements to the design of pedometers in 1799. In this saddle watch and pedometer, the movement of the horse causes the watch and outer case to jerk up and down, making the chain pull on the pedometer mechanism each time, and record the number of paces. The small dial on the right counts up to ten paces, the dial on the left 0-100 paces. The perimeter of the main dial is calibrated with 0-10,000 paces The top dial shows the time.
A pedometer - which can be worn or carried by a person or an animal - counts the number of steps taken (Latin 'pes' means a foot), and uses this to provide an estimate of the distance travelled.
People
Ralph Gout was active as a wholesale watchmaker in the parish of St Luke's, Old Street, on the edge of the City of London, from about 1770 to 1829.
Technology
The word 'PATENT', which is engraved on the top plate of the movement, refers to the patent (no. 2351) obtained by Ralph Gout for improvements to the design of pedometers in 1799. In this saddle watch and pedometer, the movement of the horse causes the watch and outer case to jerk up and down, making the chain pull on the pedometer mechanism each time, and record the number of paces. The small dial on the right counts up to ten paces, the dial on the left 0-100 paces. The perimeter of the main dial is calibrated with 0-10,000 paces The top dial shows the time.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Gilt base metal case, with enamelled and gilt base metal mount |
Brief description | Saddle watch and pedometer, base metal, mechanism made by Ralph Gout in London, ca. 1800 |
Dimensions |
|
Style | |
Marks and inscriptions |
|
Gallery label | British Galleries:
This instrument, in addition to being a watch, fitted onto a saddle and counted the paces of the horse. The small, repeating motifs of Adam ornament appear in both the chasing of the metal and the painting of the enamel in bright, clear colours.(27/03/2003) |
Production | Mechanism made in London by Ralph Gout, movement no. 307 |
Summary | Object Type A pedometer - which can be worn or carried by a person or an animal - counts the number of steps taken (Latin 'pes' means a foot), and uses this to provide an estimate of the distance travelled. People Ralph Gout was active as a wholesale watchmaker in the parish of St Luke's, Old Street, on the edge of the City of London, from about 1770 to 1829. Technology The word 'PATENT', which is engraved on the top plate of the movement, refers to the patent (no. 2351) obtained by Ralph Gout for improvements to the design of pedometers in 1799. In this saddle watch and pedometer, the movement of the horse causes the watch and outer case to jerk up and down, making the chain pull on the pedometer mechanism each time, and record the number of paces. The small dial on the right counts up to ten paces, the dial on the left 0-100 paces. The perimeter of the main dial is calibrated with 0-10,000 paces The top dial shows the time. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 6954-1860 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | March 27, 2003 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest