What is an antique mechanical pedometer?

An antique mechanical pedometer is a pocket-sized instrument designed during the nineteenth century to record steps and calculate distance walked using a weighted internal pendulum movement activated by movement.

What materials were traditionally used to manufacture Victorian pedometers?

High-grade Victorian pedometers were crafted using precious metals including eighteen carat gold or sterling silver, alongside glass crystals, white enamel dials, and fitted leather cases lined with silk or velvet.

How do you identify authentic Victorian scientific instruments?

Authentic pieces frequently display engraved maker signatures on the dial or case, accurate hallmarks denoting precious metal purity, precise watchmaking-grade engineering, and period-correct fitted presentation boxes.

How can an antique pedometer be styled in a modern interior?

A boxed antique pedometer is best styled open on an office desk, displayed inside a glass cabinet of curiosities, or arranged alongside leather-bound books on a bookshelf.

How should a gold pedometer and leather case be cared for?

Store the item in a dry, climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight, dust the metal gently with a clean microfibre cloth, and avoid applying liquid cleaners to original leather linings or enamel dials.

for sale €3,510 $3,810

£3,000

Jason Clarke Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2015

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Id #SA1206472

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Late Victorian Eighteen Carat Gold Pedometer by Negretti & Zambra

Name: Late Victorian Eighteen Carat Gold Pedometer by Negretti & Zambra
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1206472
Price: 3000 GBP
Availability: InStock

1900 - 1920

For Sale by Jason Clarke Antiques

Description

For sale, a superb Late Victorian 18 Carat Gold Pedometer with original belt clip and leather-bound case by Negretti & Zambra London.

The inch and a quarter white ceramic dial measures ten miles to the outside edge with a smaller subsidiary dial recording up to one hundred miles. Both are provided with delicate blue steel hands, and the centre dial has the maker’s name, Negretti & Zambra, London.

A knurled reset stalk at the top of the dial is surrounded by a suspension loop and original gold button hook. All exterior parts of the instrument are marked individually denoting the purity of the gold (crown and the number 18) whilst the full hallmarks can be located on the inside of the case door. This is marked to the London assay office with the date letter f, indicating the year of manufacture as 1901. The case is also stamped with the letters RJO within a lozenge indentation which further identifies the case maker as a Richard James Oliver who worked in Clerkenwell, London during this period. His mark appears on many quality pocket watches, barometers and compasses of the period so it is of little surprise that Negretti & Zambra would have employed his workshop for the task.

This beautiful and diminutive example remains with its original hinged Morocco leather case with green silk interior to the lid section, embossed in gold with a crown over the maker’s name, Negretti & Zambra and a green silk velvet fitted base to protect the instrument whilst not in use.

An exquisite example of Negretti & Zambra’s Late Victorian output and would certainly have been made for someone of significant standing during the period. It is certainly the first example executed in gold that I have had the pleasure to find and remains in complete working order.

Negretti & Zambra were a leading name in the production of meteorological and scientific instruments and had a company history dating back to 1850 although their parents were amongst those Italian emigres that bolstered the British meteorological instrument making industry at the turn of the century.

Throughout their long and esteemed history, they exhibited at British and international industrial fairs and became makers to both Queen Victoria and Edward VII. Owing to changes in the business, the firm ceased the public retailing of scientific instruments sometime around the late 1960’s and continued with a focus on the aviation industry in numerous guises until its eventual liquidation in the year 2000. They are today perhaps the most collected of the scientific instrument firms which bears testament to the quality of their work.

Physical Dimensions

Height

7cm (2.76")

Width

5.5cm (2.17")

Depth

1.5cm (0.59")

Declaration

Jason Clarke Antiques has dated this Antique Gold Pedometer to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1206472

Description

For sale, a superb Late Victorian 18 Carat Gold Pedometer with original belt clip and leather-bound case by Negretti & Zambra London.

“

The inch and a quarter white ceramic dial measures ten miles to the outside edge with a smaller subsidiary dial recording up to one hundred miles.

Jason Clarke Antiques

Both are provided with delicate blue steel hands, and the centre dial has the maker’s name, Negretti & Zambra, London.

fig 1. A late Victorian eighteen carat gold pocket pedometer housed inside a burgundy fitted leather presentation case with green silk lining. — fig 1. Late Victorian Eighteen Carat Gold Pedometer by Negretti & Zambra

A knurled reset stalk at the top of the dial is surrounded by a suspension loop and original gold button hook. All exterior parts of the instrument are marked individually denoting the purity of the gold (crown and the number 18) whilst the full hallmarks can be located on the inside of the case door. This is marked to the London assay office with the date letter f, indicating the year of manufacture as 1901. The case is also stamped with the letters RJO within a lozenge indentation which further identifies the case maker as a Richard James Oliver who worked in Clerkenwell, London during this period. His mark appears on many quality pocket watches, barometers and compasses of the period so it is of little surprise that Negretti & Zambra would have employed his workshop for the task.

fig 2. A late Victorian eighteen carat gold pocket pedometer housed inside a burgundy fitted leather presentation case with green silk lining. — fig 2. Late Victorian Eighteen Carat Gold Pedometer by Negretti & Zambra

This beautiful and diminutive example remains with its original hinged Morocco leather case with green silk interior to the lid section, embossed in gold with a crown over the maker’s name, Negretti & Zambra and a green silk velvet fitted base to protect the instrument whilst not in use.

fig 3. A late Victorian eighteen carat gold pocket pedometer housed inside a burgundy fitted leather presentation case with green silk lining. — fig 3. Late Victorian Eighteen Carat Gold Pedometer by Negretti & Zambra

An exquisite example of Negretti & Zambra’s Late Victorian output and would certainly have been made for someone of significant standing during the period. It is certainly the first example executed in gold that I have had the pleasure to find and remains in complete working order.

fig 4. A late Victorian eighteen carat gold pocket pedometer housed inside a burgundy fitted leather presentation case with green silk lining. — fig 4. Late Victorian Eighteen Carat Gold Pedometer by Negretti & Zambra

Negretti & Zambra were a leading name in the production of meteorological and scientific instruments and had a company history dating back to 1850 although their parents were amongst those Italian emigres that bolstered the British meteorological instrument making industry at the turn of the century.

fig 5. A late Victorian eighteen carat gold pocket pedometer housed inside a burgundy fitted leather presentation case with green silk lining. — fig 5. Late Victorian Eighteen Carat Gold Pedometer by Negretti & Zambra

Throughout their long and esteemed history, they exhibited at British and international industrial fairs and became makers to both Queen Victoria and Edward VII. Owing to changes in the business, the firm ceased the public retailing of scientific instruments sometime around the late 1960’s and continued with a focus on the aviation industry in numerous guises until its eventual liquidation in the year 2000. They are today perhaps the most collected of the scientific instrument firms which bears testament to the quality of their work.