The watch is in a round silver case inscribed with the seal of the United States. Stamped inside the case are the initials F.M. Inside the case has been placed a partial letter with a wax seal. Written on the paper are the words, "Presented to me from his Excellency Benjamin Franklin who used it at Passy, France, July 7, 1778. William Cole Porter." The watch case is reported to be engraved with the seal of the United States. Because the seal had not been adopted at the time of the attributed gift, and the initials engraved on the case do not match those of the purported first owner after Franklin, it should be considered that the watch, not the case, was the gift; or that the seal and initials were added to the case at a later date.