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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Half hunter pocket watch

12ct Yellow Gold Half-Hunter Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This 12ct yellow gold half-hunter pocket watch is dated 1914 by its London import marks. The piece has a diameter of approximately 30mm and a total gross weight of 24 grams. It features a smooth-finished yellow gold case with a hinged front cover. The cover displays a pink guilloche enamel chapter ring containing blue enamel Roman numerals, arranged around a central aperture through which the dial remains visible. The underlying white dial is configured with black Roman numerals and a minute track, paired with blued poire-style hands. The watch functions via a keyless winding mechanism. This example is identified by the reference number 242211 and corresponds to the aesthetic of small pocket watches from the early 20th century. The construction allows for time-telling without needing to open the protective cover, a hallmark of the half-hunter style.

Front view of the 12ct yellow gold half-hunter pocket watch showing the pink enamel chapter ring and aperture.
Front view of the 12ct yellow gold half-hunter pocket watch showing the pink enamel chapter ring and aperture. — Dawsons Auctioneers, via Invaluable. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Half hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
242211
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1914
Source-reported place
United Kingdom

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Construction

The pocket watch is housed in a 12ct yellow gold case measuring approximately 30mm in diameter. The exterior finish is smooth, featuring a hinged half-hunter cover. This cover is decorated with a pink guilloche enamel chapter ring that carries blue enamel Roman numerals. A central circular aperture in the cover permits the reading of the time without opening the case.

Beneath the cover, the white dial features a classic layout with black Roman numerals and a minute track. Time is indicated by blued poire-style hands, which are visible through the aperture. The total gross weight of the watch is approximately 24 grams, consistent with the compact design of this period.

Evidence for this section
  • “The case is smooth-finished yellow gold with a diameter of approximately 30mm”
  • “features a distinctive half-hunter cover, which includes a pink guilloche enamel chapter ring adorned with blue enamel Roman numerals”
  • “The dial is white and includes black Roman numerals and a minute track, complemented by blued poire-style hands.”

Movement and Functionality

The watch operates via a keyless winding mechanism, allowing the user to wind the movement and set the time using the crown located at the 12 o'clock position. The internal components are not described in detail, but the keyless system is a defining feature of the object's operation.

The combination of the hinged cover and the specific dial design provides a protected yet accessible timekeeping experience. The movement remains enclosed within the gold case, which bears hallmarks that confirm its import status during 1914.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch utilizes a keyless winding mechanism”
  • “characterized by its hinged cover construction, which allows the time to be viewed through the central aperture without opening the watch case.”

Identification and Origins

The watch is identified by the reference number 242211. According to the record, the date of manufacture is established by London import marks present on the gold case, which correlate to the year 1914.

The object is described as an example of import-marked horology, reflecting the trade practices and aesthetic preferences of the early 20th century. No specific maker is identified in the available documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “Reference: 242211”
  • “London Import Marks dated 1914”
  • “represents a typical example of import-marked horology from the era”

Open research questions

  • Which specific assay office marks are present on the case alongside the London import marks?
  • Who was the original maker or importer associated with reference number 242211?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for 12ct Yellow Gold Half-Hunter Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Material12ct yellow gold“12ct yellow gold”
Diameter30mm“diameter of approximately 30mm”
MechanismKeyless“keyless winding mechanism”
Date1914“London Import Marks dated 1914”
Weight24 grams“total gross weight of the timepiece is approximately 24 grams”
Reference242211“Reference: 242211”
DialWhite“The dial is white”

Visible details

  • Hinged half-hunter cover with enamel chapter ring
  • Keyless winding crown located at 12 o'clock
  • White dial with black Roman numeral hour markers
  • Blued poire-style hands

Research qualifications

  • The maker remains unidentified in the source material
  • The source provides only limited technical information regarding the internal movement

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

12ct yellow gold half-hunter pocket watch, 1914

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 79bb43dc28

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other half hunter pocket watch records