Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunterd keyless pocket chronometer

Albert H. Potter & Co., Geneva Gold Hunting Cased Keyless Pocket Chronometer No. 85

Partially verified

This 18ct gold hunting-cased keyless pocket chronometer by Albert H. Potter & Co., Geneva, dates to circa 1885 and is numbered 85 on the train bridge. According to the auction catalogue, the nickel movement incorporates Potter's patented pivoted detent escapement, a large free-sprung bi-metallic compensation balance, and a blued steel helical spring. The white enamel dial displays black Roman numerals, an outer minute track, a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock, and blued steel moon hands. The 54.5 mm yellow gold case features engine-turned covers, a polished band, and a snap-on glazed cuvette.

Dial view of the open Albert H. Potter & Co. gold hunting-cased keyless pocket chronometer no. 85
Dial view of the open Albert H. Potter & Co. gold hunting-cased keyless pocket chronometer no. 85 — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sothebys.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunterd keyless pocket chronometer
Maker / attribution
Albert H. Potter & Co., Geneva
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
12
Source-reported date
circa 1885
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
85

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

Dial and External Presentation

The pocket chronometer presents an open hunting-case format housing a white enamel dial signed 'Albert H. Potter & Co., Geneva'. The dial layout consists of black Roman numeral hour indices surrounded by an outer minute ring, accompanied by blued steel moon hands. Positioned at 6 o'clock is a large, sunken subsidiary seconds register calibrated with Arabic numerals at ten-second increments.

The yellow gold case is catalogued as 18ct gold measuring 54.5 mm in diameter. Visible physical characteristics include a polished inner front bezel, engine-turned exterior covers, a polished case band, and a fluted gold winding crown situated at the 3 o'clock position with an articulated oval pendant and bow.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial signed 'Albert H. Potter & Co. Geneva' in cursive script below the 12 o'clock position.”
  • “Radial black Roman numerals, blued steel moon hands, and an outer minute track.”
  • “Sunken subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock calibrated with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.”
  • “Case: 18ct gold, engine-turned covers, polished band, snap-on glazed cuvette, gold pendant and bow, case back numbered 68709, 137 diameter 54.5mm”

Reported Movement and Technical Specifications

According to the auction catalogue description, the internal mechanism is a nickel movement finished with damascened plates and bridges. It incorporates Potter's patented pivoted detent escapement and bridge layout, a large free-sprung bi-metallic compensation balance, and a blued steel helical spring. The movement train bridge is catalogued as numbered 85.

The source records multiple patent markings across the movement components. The balance cock is catalogued as engraved 'Escapement Pat. Oct. 11.75', while the main plate carries the marking 'Plate des n Pat. Jan. 4.76'. The barrel bridge reportedly bears both the maker signature and the marking 'Pat. Oct. 11.75'.

Evidence for this section
  • “nickel movement with damascened plates and bridges, Potter's patented pivoted detent escapement and bridge layout, large free-sprung bi-metallic compensation balance, blued steel helical spring”
  • “barrel bridge signed Albert H. Potter & Co. Geneva and marked Pat. Oct. 11.75, the balance cock engraved Escapement Pat. Oct. 11.75, the main plate engraved Plate des n Pat. Jan. 4.76, train bridge numbered 85”

Casework Evidence and Attribution Uncertainties

The housing is described with a snap-on glazed cuvette over the movement and dual reference numbers inside the case back: '68709, 137'. The auction house notes that the case is 'not stamped with Potter's trademark', though it asserts that the design 'typifies Potter's style.'

The catalogue speculates that the watch 'was likely exported to America and cased there in order to avoid the high tariffs on Swiss-made gold cases imported into the United States.' However, without visible case maker hallmarks or exporter documentation, the exact origin and workshop of the gold case cannot be independently verified from the provided record.

Evidence for this section
  • “snap-on glazed cuvette, gold pendant and bow, case back numbered 68709, 137”
  • “Although not stamped with Potter's trademark, the case of the present lot typifies Potter's style. It was likely exported to America and cased there in order to avoid the high tariffs on Swiss-made gold cases imported into the United States.”

Open research questions

  • Does the interior of the case back contain American case-maker sponsor marks or purity stamps corroborating the cataloguer's US casing hypothesis?
  • What explains the discrepancy between the main plate patent engraving 'Jan. 4.76' and the catalogue note text citing 'January 4th, 1875'?
  • What is the functional or inventory meaning of the two distinct numbers ('68709' and '137') stamped on the case back?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Albert H. Potter & Co., Geneva Gold Hunting Cased Keyless Pocket Chronometer No. 85
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Balance and SpringBi-metallic compensation balance with blued steel helical spring“large free-sprung bi-metallic compensation balance, blued steel helical spring”
Movement InscriptionsSigned barrel bridge with patent dates“barrel bridge signed Albert H. Potter & Co. Geneva and marked Pat. Oct. 11.75”
Case Back MarkingsNumbered 68709, 137“case back numbered 68709, 137”
Escapement MarkingPatented October 11, 1875 engraved on balance cock“the balance cock engraved Escapement Pat. Oct. 11.75”
Main Plate MarkingPatented January 4, 1876 engraving on plate“the main plate engraved Plate des n Pat. Jan. 4.76”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial signed 'Albert H. Potter & Co. Geneva' in cursive script below the 12 o'clock position.
  • Radial black Roman numerals, blued steel moon hands, and an outer minute track.
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock calibrated with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.
  • Open hunting-case front cover showing a polished inner bezel and the edge of engine turning on the outer face.
  • Fluted gold winding crown situated at 3 o'clock with an articulated oval suspension bow.

Research qualifications

  • The nickel movement, damascening, and internal patent markings are obscured behind the dial in the provided image.
  • Case back numbers and engine-turned exterior decoration are reported by the source and not fully visible.

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

Consulted source

ALBERT H. POTTER & CO., GENEVA [ Albert H. Potter & Co.，日內瓦] | A Rare

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record c693b379e8

Terms in this record

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