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Author Topic: Coat of Arms on a Pocket Watch  (Read 1050 times)

Offline Watch_maker

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Coat of Arms on a Pocket Watch
« on: Wednesday 03 April 19 11:07 BST (UK) »
I'm trying to research a watch I bought the other day, it's one of the most impressive timepieces I've ever seen. The 18K gold cases weights over 200g and the movement repeats (chimes) the hours, quarters, and minutes as well as a chronograph feature. I've been unable to find any information on the family crest and moto and was wondering if anybody on here might have any ideas!

I think the crest reads....
qui potest capere capita

https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/cc5d9fec-0049-464f-9458-a73100d47315/0f282df6-ddee-4bf1-c847-f8f48a3b928a/original.jpg

Offline ShaunJ

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Re: Coat of Arms on a Pocket Watch
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday 03 April 19 11:16 BST (UK) »
The name Clegg crops up a lot in Google searches for that motto (the final word being capiat not capita)

For instance https://www.myfamilysilver.com/pages/crestfinder-crest.aspx?id=140614&name=Clegg
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Offline Watch_maker

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Re: Coat of Arms on a Pocket Watch
« Reply #2 on: Wednesday 03 April 19 11:22 BST (UK) »
Thank you Shaun  :D that looks spot on!!

Offline KGarrad

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Re: Coat of Arms on a Pocket Watch
« Reply #3 on: Wednesday 03 April 19 11:41 BST (UK) »
Nice one, Shaun! ;D

WM, what you have is an engraved crest.
A coat-of-arms also contains the shield bearing the arms.
The crest originally sat on top of a helm or helmet.

The correct heraldry term for what you have is a Griffin's (or gryphon) head couped.
Couped meaning cut; it was "torn" it would be erased.

A griffin/gryphon has the head of an eagle, but with the ears of a lion.
If it was a dragon's head, there would be a prominent tongue.
Garrad (Suffolk, Essex, Somerset), Crocker (Somerset), Vanstone (Devon, Jersey), Sims (Wiltshire), Bridger (Kent)

Offline davidbappleton

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Re: Coat of Arms on a Pocket Watch
« Reply #4 on: Thursday 04 April 19 20:39 BST (UK) »
Looking through Fairbairn's Crests, while there are a lot of families who have a griffin's head for a crest, there is only one that also matches the motto: Cleg/Clegg.

I believe your beautiful watch once belonged to a Clegg.

David
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