watch

Silver watch, oblong octagon in shape. Designed to have only one pointer. Dial plate has a pastoral scene with houses, outside case decorated with designs which include branches of trees. Said to have been John Knox's watch, presented to him by Queen Mary, and handed down as an heirloom. N.Forfaict.a.Paris

Thomson, Alexander Mr

Early: 1600 Late: 1700 Period

Thomson, Alexander

L: 38 mm W: 29 mm

'John Knox's Watch - traditionally regarded as having been presented to him by Queen Mary. It is of silver, in the form of an oblong octagon, the shape known as a Nurnberg egg: 11/2 ' long, 1 1/5' broad, and was made by 'N. Forfaict a Paris.' It has only one pointer. On the dial-plate is represented a pastoral scene with houses; on the outside case are branches of trees and other similar designs. It has been preserved in the family of the late Mr Thomson of Banchory, who was descended from one of Knox's daughters, and was presented by him to the Senatus of the Free Church College, Aberdeen.' (Free Church College is Christ's College whose museum contents were presented to the museum in 1952.) Note: - See letter from the British Museum (in John Knox's Watch File) dated 02.03.1959 where it is stated that it is unlikely that the watch by N. Norfaict could be old enough to have been given by Mary Queen of Scots to John Knox.