Silver pocket watch, within round fitted case
Key details
- Object number
- 3.8508
- Date
- 1730 to 1769
- On display
- Yes
- Maker
- Steward Dawson & Co
- D. McDonald (Dealer)
- Object number
- 3.8508
- Date
- 1730 to 1769
- On display
- Yes
- Maker
- Steward Dawson & Co
- D. McDonald (Dealer)
Description
A silver pocket watch, within round fitted case, including White dial with Roman numbers. This watch belonged to William Burnes and, later, his son Robert Burns. As was common practice at the time fathers passed on their pocket watches to their first born sons, when they came of age.
During the earlier part of the 18th century pocket watches were seen as luxury items and were often associated with the gentlemanly class, but were also owned by other more working-class men and worn as part of their ‘Sunday Best’; the clothing and Jewellery that they kept for special occasions, attending religious services, or other important events.
Pocket watches generally have an attached chain to allow them to be secured to a waistcoat, lapel, or belt loop, and to prevent them from being dropped. This is missing from this particular item.