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| Fob Watch Henry Grendon, 1640-1660 Crown Copyright The Royal Collection Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II |
We know what a watch fob is, but what’s a fob watch? A fob watch—popular in the Seventeenth Century—was a jewel wherein the works of the watch and the face were embedded behind a gemstone. The overall look is that of a watch fob, yet, on closer look, you see that the two are one. To be honest, I’ve only heard of fob watches—they’re like the unicorns of the watch world. But, finally, here’s one we can see! Thanks to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for the use of these photos of the elusive fob watch from the Royal Collection.
This rock crystal and silver gilt fob watch is fitted with a hinged leather, steel-studded and red velvet lined case. The watch peeks out from behind the facetted rock crystal and shows an elaborately floral engraved watch face. The piece is fitted with fixed suspension ring. This unusual jewel was created between 1640 and 1660.
The piece was presented by King Charles II to Jane Lane in 1651—under rather unusual circumstances. According to the Royal Collection:
"Fleeing after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651, he [Charles II] lodged for short while near Wolverhampton, with a certain Col. Lane. From there he travelled on horseback to Bristol, with the colonel’s sister, Jane Lane, disguised as his servant and riding pillion behind him. The King gave Jane Lane a watch in recognition of her bravery and resourcefulness, which was most carefully preserved in the Lane family until 1928, when Maj-Gen. Sir John Lane returned it to George V. The watch, which is by Henry Grendon, is in a faceted rock-crystal case, with an outer protective case of leather embellished with silver pinwork. Grendon, a well-known maker of his day with premises in the Royal Exchange, was admitted to the Clockmaker’s Company in 1640, only nine years after it received its royal charter"
Since the watch was given to King George V, we know that it was well-preserved. No doubt, Queen Mary got her regal hands on it and made sure that this odd bit of watch-making and political history would survive forever.
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| Crown Copyright The Royal Collection Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II |
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| Crown Copyright The Royal Collection Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II |
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| Crown Copyright The Royal Collection Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II |
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