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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter-case pocket watch

Albert Pellaton yellow gold one-minute tourbillon hunter-case pocket watch

Partially verified

This yellow gold hunter-case pocket watch is catalogued by Christie's under the name Albert Pellaton and dated to circa 1893. The 59 mm case houses a manual, keyless-winding movement stated to incorporate a one-minute tourbillon complication. Visually, the watch presents an unsigned white dial with black Roman numerals, an outer closed minute ring, and blued steel Breguet-style hands. Above 6 o'clock sits a subsidiary seconds register marked with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals. The front cover hinges open from the 9 o'clock side, with the fluted winding crown and pendant bow located at 3 o'clock.

Front view of the yellow gold hunter-case pocket watch with front cover open showing the white dial
Front view of the yellow gold hunter-case pocket watch with front cover open showing the white dial — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter-case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Albert Pellaton
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
8
Source-reported date
circa 1893
Country
Switzerland

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

Identity and Attributions

This pocket watch is catalogued by Christie's under the maker name Albert Pellaton and assigned an approximate date of circa 1893. The auction listing designates it as a yellow gold one-minute tourbillon hunter-case pocket watch.

Observation of the front dial reveals no visible signature, maker inscription, or production numbering. The attribution to Pellaton relies entirely on the catalog title and auction listing rather than visible dial branding.

Evidence for this section
  • “ALBERT PELLATON, YELLOW GOLD ONE-MINUTE TOURBILLON HUNTER-CASE POCKET WATCH,”
  • “CIRCA: 1893”
  • “Unsigned white dial with black Roman hour numerals and outer minute track”

Case and External Features

The watch features a yellow gold hunter case catalogued with a diameter of 59 mm. Visual observation confirms a polished yellow gold exterior, a front cover hinged at the 9 o'clock position, and a fluted winding crown accompanied by a rounded bow located at 3 o'clock.

The auctioneer's condition report describes the case as displaying very slight surface wear, with hallmarks and numbers noted on the interior of the cover, though specific serial numbers or assay marks are not transcribed in the source text.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE MATERIAL: Yellow gold”
  • “CASE DIAMETER: 59 mm.”
  • “Polished yellow gold hunter case with front cover hinged at 9 o'clock and fluted winding crown with rounded bow at 3 o'clock”
  • “very slight surface wear and hallmarks and numbers to the inside cover.”

Dial and Mechanism

The white dial features painted black Roman hour numerals and an outer minute track. Time is displayed via blued steel Breguet-style hands for the hours and minutes, alongside a subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals in ten-second increments.

The mechanism is described in the listing specifications as manual and keyless, with a one-minute tourbillon complication. The movement itself is not shown in the lot image, and the condition report records that the movement was not ticking at the time of cataloguing.

Evidence for this section
  • “DIAL: White”
  • “Blued steel Breguet-style hands for hours, minutes, and subsidiary seconds”
  • “Subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals in ten-second increments”
  • “MOVEMENT: Manual, keyless”
  • “FUNCTIONS: One-Minute Tourbillon”
  • “The movement is not ticking at the time of cataloguing.”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks, maker's marks, or serial numbers are stamped on the interior covers of the case?
  • Does the movement or tourbillon carriage carry an Albert Pellaton maker signature or chronometer competition markings?
  • What is the specific mechanical layout and escapement construction of the one-minute tourbillon?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Albert Pellaton yellow gold one-minute tourbillon hunter-case pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Circa1893“CIRCA: 1893”
Case MaterialYellow gold“CASE MATERIAL: Yellow gold”
Case Diameter59 mm“CASE DIAMETER: 59 mm.”
MovementManual, keyless“MOVEMENT: Manual, keyless”
FunctionsOne-Minute Tourbillon“FUNCTIONS: One-Minute Tourbillon”
DialWhite“DIAL: White”
Operational StatusNot ticking at the time of cataloguing (reported)“The movement is not ticking at the time of cataloguing.”
Internal MarkingsHallmarks and numbers present on inside cover (reported)“hallmarks and numbers to the inside cover.”

Visible details

  • Unsigned white dial with black Roman hour numerals and outer minute track
  • Blued steel Breguet-style hands for hours, minutes, and subsidiary seconds
  • Subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals in ten-second increments
  • Polished yellow gold hunter case with front cover hinged at 9 o'clock and fluted winding crown with rounded bow at 3 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Movement and tourbillon cage are not visible in the supplied catalog image
  • The source reports the movement was not ticking at the time of cataloguing
  • Specific serial numbers are not detailed in the public lot description, though the condition report notes numbers inside the cover

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

Consulted source

ALBERT PELLATON, YELLOW GOLD ONE-MINUTE TOURBILLON HUNTER-CASE POCKET WATCH, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 5a83e5b295

Terms in this record

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

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