Pocket watch presented to Patrick 'Paddy' McCue, 1909

View this record on the National Museum of Australia's website

Type: Pocket watches
Date: 1899 - 1909
Place: Massachusetts, United States of America; Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Materials: Glass, Gold, Metal - non specific
Collection: Patrick McCue collection no. 4
Accession number: 2012.0020.0001

Description

A yellow gold filled 'Hunter' style pocket watch with 'PMcC.' engraved inside a shield design on the front of dial cover. The dial time indicators are shown as black roman numerals on a white enamel dial. Inscribed text on the dial reads 'A. SAUNDERS, / GEORGE ST. / SYDNEY.' and 'MADE IN U.S.A'. A number engraved inside the dial cover reads, '1924569'. Engraved text on the inside of the movement cover reads 'C.W.C. CO. / TRADE MARK / 1924569' with a star and crescent moon symbol. Engraved text opposite reads 'P. Mc. Cue. / FROM / NEWTOWN DISTRICT / F.C. / 26.3.09'. Engraved text on the inside of the second movement cover reads 'WARRANTED / CRESCENT / 25 YEARS / 1924569'. Engraved text opposite reads 'American / Waltham, U.S.A. / TRAVELLER'. There is a circular loop attached to the top of the watch with a further clasp attached to this.

About the collection

The 'Patrick McCue collection no. 4' comprises a gold fob watch presented to Patrick McCue, a distinguished dual international who represented Australia in rugby union and rugby league. In 1908, he played for the Wallabies in a tour of England; the team also won a gold medal at the London Olympics. The watch bears the inscription 'P. McCue from Newtown District F.C. 26.3.09' in recognition of McCue's service to the Newtown rugby union club, before he defected to rugby league the following year. The fob watch is in good, 'as used' condition. The establishment of rugby league in Sydney is an important episode in the history of Australian sport. Originally a break-away code from rugby union in the 1890s, rugby league only reached Australia from Britain in 1907. This new code attracted many rugby union players, induced by medical insurance and equipment allowances. The introduction of this new game reflected the growing emphasis on sport as mass entertainment, a marketing spectacle, and the elevation of players from amateur to professional.

Read live from the Museum's Collection API (12/11/2026, 5:44:30 am). Record last updated by the Museum 2026-09-30. Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.