Lot 86

Bockels

A historically important, oval, one-handed Dutch verge pocket watch with alarm and engraved inscription "Oliver Cromwell 1648" in a ray-skin covered transport case

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The dial is ornamented with exquisitely engraved tendrils and a grotesque mask. The inscription "Oliver Cromwell 1648" was probably commissioned by one of Cromwell’s admirers and refers to the battle of Preston (August 17-19, 1648) where the Parlamentarians triumphed over the royalist and Scottish troops led by the Duke of Hamilton. Cromwell’s victory signified the end of the Second English Civil War.
Despite the technical modifications this is an interesting historical timepiece.
Dial, case and movement mainly date back to the 17th century, while the dial has probably been modified, including the addition of Oliver Cromwell’s name dating to 1648. We cannot confirm that the dial is original, as the bezel as well as the upper cover have pin holes, that have definitely been modified. It is likely that the watch was originally fitted with a solid or with an openwork silver lid, to ensure that the alarm could be heard. The movement was also modified, balance cock and locking disc are younger. The locking disc now conceals the name of the maker and has several holes that are unaccounted for.
The watch is described in: F. J. Britten "Old Clocks and Watches and their Makers", 1977, p. 429 and it was illustrated on the cover of the 1897 catalogue of the Evan Roberts Collection.
Provenance:
- Roskell Collections
- Evan Roberts Collections
- R. G. Meech

Jan Jansz. Bockels is known to have worked as a watchmaker in Den Haag from 1610 to 1640. Today his watches are held by private collections and a number of museums such as the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the British Museum in London.
Source: G.H. Baillie "Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World", Vol. I, Edinburgh/London, 1947, p. 31