Pocket watch · Hunter-case pocket chronometer

19th Century Gold Hunter-Case Pocket Chronometer

Partially verified

This 19th-century pocket chronometer is housed in a yellow gold hunter case measuring 3.8 cm in diameter, reported by the auctioneer as 18-karat gold. The exterior cover displays fine concentric engine-turned guilloché surrounding an unengraved foliate and scroll rococo-style cartouche, surmounted by a spherical pendant knob, circular bow, and a red silk suspension cord. According to the source, the interior features an engine-turned dust cover, a white enamel dial signed 'CHRONOMETRE / No 82517' with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds, and a full-plate gilt fusee movement numbered 82517.

Back cover view of the closed gold hunter-case pocket watch showing the engine-turned guilloché, central cartouche, bow, and red cord — Ancient Traces. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.liveauctioneers.com
Category: Pocket watch · Hunter-case pocket chronometer
Maker / attribution: Not established
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 0034B
Source-reported date: Circa 1855–1870
Country: Europe
Source-reported serial: 82517

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 Construction

The timepiece is housed in a three-body 18-karat yellow gold hunter-style case measuring 3.8 cm in diameter. The exterior back cover features a concentric engine-turned guilloche pattern surrounding an unengraved foliate and scroll rococo-style cartouche.

The assembly includes a spherical pendant knob and a gold bow that suspends a red silk fob cord. The interior dust cover is also decorated with radiating engine-turned patterns. As the item is presented closed in the source imagery, the dial and internal movement are not visible in the provided photograph.

Evidence for this section

“The three-body 18 karat yellow gold hunter case of characteristic domed form”
“Height (case diameter): 3.8 cm”
“outer back cover finely engine-turned with concentric guilloche decoration, centred by a rococo cartouche of foliate and scroll design, vacant”
“the interior dust cover similarly engine-turned with radiating engine-turned decoration”
“the substantial gold bow with spherical pendant knob suspending a gold split ring, with original red silk fob cord.”

Dial and Mechanism

The white enamel dial is signed 'CHRONOMETRE / No 82517' and features Roman numerals, a minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at six o'clock. The watch is equipped with blued and gilt serpentine Breguet-style hands and a copper-colored sweep seconds hand.

The movement is a full-plate gilt fusee type, numbered 82517. It includes a fusee and chain, an engraved foliate balance cock, a three-arm compensation balance, and is jeweled in ruby throughout the top plate. The watch is accompanied by an iron winding and setting key.

Evidence for this section

“signed CHRONOMETRE / No 82517”
“full-plate gilt fusee movement, No. 82517”
“with fusee and chain maintaining constant force to the going train”
“set with elegant blued and gilt serpentine Breguet-style hands, with a copper-coloured sweep seconds hand.”
“Accompanied by the original two-ended iron winding and setting key.”

Attribution and Historical Context

The chronometer is dated to the mid-19th century, approximately 1855–1870. The source notes that the term 'Chronometre' on the dial historically designated timepieces fitted with a detent or high-grade lever escapement.

The piece is stated to originate from a private European collection. No specific maker is identified in the provided source documentation.

Evidence for this section

“Europe, 19th Century, Circa 1855–1870”
“The designation Chronometre on the dial is significant: in the 19th century this term was reserved for timepieces fitted with a detent or high-grade lever escapement”
“Provenance: from a private European collection.”

Open research questions

Are there hidden maker's hallmarks inside the case back or on the movement plates?
Does the serial number 82517 correlate to a specific workshop or manufacturer?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for 19th Century Gold Hunter-Case Pocket Chronometer
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Case Material	18 karat yellow gold	“three-body 18 karat yellow gold hunter case”
Case Diameter	3.8 cm	“Height (case diameter): 3.8 cm”
Movement Number	82517	“full-plate gilt fusee movement, No. 82517”
Dial Signature	CHRONOMETRE / No 82517	“signed CHRONOMETRE / No 82517”
Movement Type	Full-plate gilt fusee movement	“full-plate gilt fusee movement, No. 82517, with fusee and chain maintaining constant force to the going train”
Escapement Type	Detent or lever	“the escapement consistent with a detent or lever chronometer escapement”
Serial Number	82517	“No 82517”

Visible details

Closed yellow gold hunter case with dense engine-turned pattern across the cover.
Central foliate and scroll rococo-style cartouche with an unengraved centre.
Spherical neck and pendant surmounted by a round gold bow holding a red suspension cord.

Research qualifications

The front cover is closed, leaving the dial and hands unverified in the provided image.
Internal movement details, hallmarks, and the stated winding key are not visible in Photo 0.

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

Consulted source

19th Century Gold Hunter-case Pocket Chronometer - Sep 19, 2026 | Ancient Traces In London

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record d30fd73b77

Terms in this record

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