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Watch by D Gill & Son
Pocket Watch by D Gill & Son, Aberdeen
Watch by D Gill & Son
Watch by D Gill & Son

Pocket Watch by D Gill & Son, Aberdeen

Maker (Aberdeen, Scotland)
Maker (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1843 - 1914)
Date1863-1869
Object Namepocket watch
Mediumsilver brass glass
ClassificationsScience And Technology
DimensionsMaximum: 53 × 47 × 8mm
AcquisitionPurchased in 2022.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS095689
About MeDavid Gill (jnr), (later Sir David Gill) was son of a successful watchmaker of the same name in Union St Aberdeen. However, George Forbes in his memoir DAVID GILL MAN AND ASTRONOMER : MEMORIES OF SIR DAVID GILL, K.G.B., H.M. ASTRONOMER (1879-1907) AT THE GAPE OF GOOD HOPE published in 1916 states that Gill senior was more of a wholesaler/retailer than an actual manufacturer of timepieces. There are a number of watches and clocks that clearly were made elsewhere and marked 'Made for Gill & Son as the firm was known until 1863 which support this.

The future Sir David Gill was a student of James Clerk Maxwell in 1859 and also attended classes with David Thomson. Between 1860-1862 Gill was apprenticed in Le Locle, Besancon, as well as London and Coventry. He was back in Aberdeen in 1863 and was made a partner in the family business (D Gill & Son) which in December 1864 was awarded the Royal Warrant as watchmakers to Queen Victoria. He retained his business connection until 1871 when he sold it and became a full time professional astronomer (albeit at a greatly reduced income). However, as time passed Gill appeared to have been increasingly occupied with scientific instruments so his likely output of watches is likely to be limited.

Gill went on to become the Astronomer Royal at the Cape of Good Hope Observatory in 1879 and his contribution to the advancement of science was and still is recognised world-wide.

The case, movement and face all carry the 159 number which indicates they are the original elements. However, the case appears earlier than the movement as it bears Hallmarks for 1863. It also carries the initials IH which appear to be those of a well known specialist watch case maker, John Hammon, who was active in York Street in Coventry when David Gill was an apprentice there in 1863.

The movement carries the inscription that D Gill & Son 'To The Queen' which dates it after December 1864.

It would seem likely that the movement was made not long after the future Sir David returned to Aberdeen and set within a case of maker that he had encountered in Coventry which he may have brought back with him or ordered in around that time. This would point to it being one of a relatively small number of timepieces he made for the firm, and is an extremely fine piece of work.