| RefNo | MOB/021 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Pocket watch by William Webster |
| Artist | Webster, William |
| Date | c.1749 |
| Description | A gold pair cased verge watch, with square moulded pillars, verge escapemant and winged clock. The outer case repousse with a scene of Brittania and Fame holding an oval tablet depicting [possibly?] Christopher Wren, with St. Paul's Cathedral behind. Inscribed on the reverse of the pocket watch: 'Mrs. Cath. Conduit to Sir Isaac Newton
January 4th 1708' |
| Extent | 1 timepiece |
| ObjectName | Timepiece |
| Materials | Metal, gold, glass |
| Notes | Until recently it was believed this watch belonged to Sir Isaac Newton; gifted to him by his niece Catherine Conduit née Barton. However, research undertaken in 2001 highlighted that in 1708, the supposed time of the inscription, Catherine had not yet been married and was still referred to as 'Mrs Barton'. Further investigation concluded that the hallmark dates to 1749, years after Newton's death, and the dial dates to 1810. |
| AccessStatus | Open |
| Provenance | Exact provenance unknown |
| URLDescription | Digital version available on The Royal Society Picture Library |
| URL | https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-18021 |
| https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-18022 |
| https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-18023 |
| https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-18024 |