The 53rd Regiment guarded Napoleon on his passage to St Helena on the Northumberland and guarded him on St Helena until 1817. The men of the regiment were on friendly terms with Napoleon, holding him in high regard and the respect was mutual, Napoleon referring to them as 'The Brickbats'. The present watch appears to be a birthday gift to Napoleon from the regiment, and is dated to 15 August 1815, just 8 days after the Northumberland sailed for St Helena. The modesty of the watch and the inscription suggest it may have been sourced and presented to Napoleon on St Helena sometime after the ten week passage to the island in late 1815, a belated birthday gift and souvenir of their camaraderie on the voyage. The accompanying note describes its subsequent fate, apparently sold with Napoleon's plate on St Helena [in 1816] and acquired by Sgt James Bull, 66th Regiment, from Mr Solomon on St Helena. The watch remained in the Bull family until 2000, when purchased by the present owner.