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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter case pocket watch

A.W. Co. Waltham 18K Yellow Gold Hunter Case Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This A.W. Co. Waltham hunter case pocket watch is cased in 18K yellow gold and dated by the auction house to circa 1880. Measuring 50 mm in case width, it features coin-edge detailing around the case band. The white dial displays black Arabic hour numerals, red Arabic five-minute numerals, blue steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. An engraved memorial presentation inscription inside the front cover records that the piece was given to Alexander McCormick Engart in memory of Lieutenant Alexander A. McCormick, Jr. of the United States Naval Air Forces, who was killed in combat in France in September 1918.

Front view of the Waltham hunter case pocket watch with the front cover open, showing the white dial and inner lid inscription
Front view of the Waltham hunter case pocket watch with the front cover open, showing the white dial and inner lid inscription — Freeman's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
hindmanauctions.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
A.W. Co. Waltham
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
176
Source-reported date
c. 1880
Country
United States

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 and Aesthetic

This hunter case pocket watch is constructed from 18K yellow gold and measures 50 mm in width. The case architecture incorporates a reeded or coin-edge pattern along the perimeter of the case rim, housing the movement within a hunter style format.

The winding mechanism is operated via a fluted crown positioned at the 3 o'clock location, flanked by a bow.

Evidence for this section
  • “An 18K yellow gold hunter case pocket watch by A.W. Co. Waltham”
  • “Case Width: 50mm”
  • “Reeded or coin-edge pattern along the perimeter of the case rim”
  • “Fluted crown flanked by a bow at the 3 o'clock winding position”

Dial and Visual Features

The watch features a white dial signed 'A.W.Co. WALTHAM' below the 12 o'clock position. The dial displays black Arabic numerals at hour intervals and an outer track of red Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals.

Timekeeping is indicated by blue steel arrow hands, with a subsidiary seconds complication positioned at 6 o'clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “featuring a white dial with black Arabic numerals at hour intervals, red Arabic numerals at five minute intervals”
  • “Dial signed 'A.W.Co. WALTHAM' below the 12 o'clock position”
  • “blue steel arrow hour, minute, and seconds hands”
  • “seconds complication at 6 o'clock”

Provenance

The interior of the front lid bears an engraved presentation inscription. According to the source, the watch was presented to Alexander McCormick Engart by Alexander A. McCormick in memory of Lieutenant Alexander A. McCormick, Jr. of the United States Naval Air Forces, who died in combat in 1918.

The auction house dates the timepiece to circa 1880, while the memorial engraving relates to events in 1918.

Evidence for this section
  • “Per the inscription on the watch, the piece was originally presented to Alexander McCormick Engart by Alexander A. McCormick in memory of Lieutenant Alexander A. McCormick, Jr. of the United States Naval Air Forces who died in combat in 1918”
  • “An 18K Yellow Gold A.W. Co. Waltham Pocket Watch c.1880”

Open research questions

  • What is the movement caliber and serial number for this watch?
  • Does the serial number on the movement correlate with the circa 1880 production date?
  • Are there any manufacturer marks or hallmarks inside the case to confirm the origin or date?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A.W. Co. Waltham 18K Yellow Gold Hunter Case Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Material18K yellow gold“An 18K yellow gold hunter case pocket watch by A.W. Co. Waltham”
Case Width50mm“Case Width: 50mm”
Weight73.4 dwt“Weight: 73.4 dwt.”
Dial FeaturesWhite dial with black Arabic numerals and red five-minute numerals“featuring a white dial with black Arabic numerals at hour intervals, red Arabic numerals at five minute intervals”
HandsBlue steel arrow hour, minute, and seconds hands“blue steel arrow hour, minute, and seconds hands”
ComplicationSeconds complication at 6 o'clock“seconds complication at 6 o'clock”
ProvenancePrivate collection, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina“Private collection, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.”

Visible details

  • Open hunter case showing engraved presentation text on the inside of the front lid
  • Fluted crown flanked by a bow at the 3 o'clock winding position
  • Reeded or coin-edge pattern along the perimeter of the case rim
  • Dial signed 'A.W.Co. WALTHAM' below the 12 o'clock position
  • Small seconds subdial situated at the 6 o'clock position

Research qualifications

  • Movement is not shown, leaving caliber, jewel count, and movement serial number unverified
  • Case back exterior and front cover exterior are not pictured

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

Consulted source

An 18K Yellow Gold A.W. Co. Waltham Pocket Watch c.1880 | Freeman's

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 4ecb9c9676

Terms in this record

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

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