Antique Oversized 8-Day Silvered Doctor’s “Memento Mori” Pocket Watch & Display

A rare and historically significant oversized 8-day pocket watch, featuring a silvered case with the Caduceus medical emblem on the back and a matching hallmarked silver display case adorned with Memento Mori skulls.

This extraordinary piece was likely crafted for a prominent Edwardian-era physician. The Caduceus, a symbol of medicine and healing, and the skulls, a reminder of mortality (“Memento Mori”), highlight its dual role as both a professional tool and a philosophical object.

Historical Context:

During the late Victorian and Edwardian periods (circa 1890–1910), doctors and surgeons often commissioned high-quality, oversized pocket watches with 8-day movements for reliability during long shifts. These watches symbolized precision, status, and dedication to the medical profession. The skull motifs on the display case evoke the Memento Mori tradition, popular among intellectual and professional circles, reminding owners of the transience of life and the importance of their work.

Details:

• Diameter: 65.17 mm (oversized)
• Case: Silvered metal with high-relief Caduceus emblem
• Display case: Solid silver, hallmarked (Birmingham, early 1900s), adorned with four skulls at each corner, original leather exterior and velvet-lined interior with fold-out stand
• Movement: 8-day manual wind, clean and fully functional
• Condition: Excellent for its age, with expected wear to the leather outer case; both the watch and movement are in perfect working order
• Provenance: Estate find, offered in completely original condition

This is a museum-grade medical timepiece, ideal for serious collectors of antique horology, medical memorabilia, or Memento Mori art. The watch comes with an APPRAISAL CERTIFICATE FOR $3000

Shipping:

Secure tracked worldwide shipping with full insurance.