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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Ladies hunter case pocket watch

American Watch Company Ladies Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This ladies pocket watch, manufactured in 1882 by the American Watch Company of Waltham, Massachusetts, is a hunter-case model. The watch bears the movement serial number 1786018. It features a silver hunter-style case, which is decorated with an engine-turned pattern and the initials 'M.M.' engraved on both the front and back covers. The white enamel dial displays black Roman numerals and includes a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the six o'clock mark. Internal case markings include a Birmingham hallmark consisting of a lion, anchor, and the letter 'h', alongside the initials 'A.B.' and the number '33849'. The back plate of the movement is stamped with the manufacturer's details, the patent status of the pinion, and the individual movement serial number.

A silver ladies hunter-case pocket watch by the American Watch Company, showing the dial and the open case cover.
A silver ladies hunter-case pocket watch by the American Watch Company, showing the dial and the open case cover. — Museums Victoria. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.museumsvictoria.com.au
Category
Pocket watch · Ladies hunter case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
American Watch Company
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
ST 17706
Source-reported date
1882
Source-reported place
United States
Source-reported serial
1786018

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

The watch is housed in a silver hunter-style case featuring an engine-turned pattern. The front and back covers of the case are inscribed with the initials 'M.M.', and the exterior is designed with a spring-loaded cover that protects the watch dial. The dial is composed of white enamel and is marked with black Roman numerals for the hours.

A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at the six o'clock mark on the main dial surface.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silver hunter case with engined pattern and marking 'M.M.' on front and back”
  • “White enamel dial has black roman numerals and seconds dial at 6”

Movement and Mechanism

The timepiece is driven by a key-wound movement, indicating that the watch does not possess an integrated stem-winding mechanism.

The back plate of the movement displays technical information, including the manufacturer's name, the location of the factory in Waltham, and a declaration regarding the 'Patent Pinion'. The movement serial number 1786018 is also stamped directly onto the plate.

Evidence for this section
  • “Key wound spring; lever escapement”
  • “Back plate is stamped 'Am Watch Co. Waltham Mass', 'Patent Pinion' and '1786018'”

Signatures, Marks and Provenance

Internal examinations of the silver case reveal a series of hallmarks associated with the Birmingham Assay Office, consisting of a lion, an anchor, and the letter 'h'. Additional stamps inside the case include the initials 'A.B.' and the serial number 33849. The movement bears the serial number 1786018.

The object was acquired by the museum through a donation from Miss M. Miller on July 23, 1928. These marks collectively provide evidence of the watch's origin and the identity of the original manufacturer.

Evidence for this section
  • “Inside back has hallmark (lion, anchor, and h) for Birmingham), and markings 'A.B' and '33849'”
  • “Acquisition: Donation from Miss M. Miller, 23 Jul 1928”

Open research questions

  • What is the historical significance of the 'A.B.' hallmark found within the Birmingham-stamped silver case?
  • Is there a documented record of the original purchase of this watch by Miss M. Miller or her family?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for American Watch Company Ladies Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
ManufacturerAmerican Watch Company“American Watch Co, date: 1882, locality: Waltham, state: Massachusetts, country: United States of America”
Movement Serial Number1786018“Back plate is stamped 'Am Watch Co. Waltham Mass', 'Patent Pinion' and '1786018'”
Case HallmarkBirmingham assay marks“Inside back has hallmark (lion, anchor, and h) for Birmingham)”
Case initialsM.M.“marking 'M.M.' on front and back”
Escapement typeLever escapement“lever escapement”
Winding mechanismKey wound“Key wound spring”
Dial styleWhite enamel with Roman numerals“White enamel dial has black roman numerals and seconds dial at 6”

Visible details

  • Silver hunter case with engine-turned surface decoration
  • White enamel dial with Roman numeral hour markers
  • Subsidiary seconds dial located at the six o'clock position
  • Key-wound movement indicated by the absence of a visible winding stem

Research qualifications

  • The provenance of the case marks from Birmingham while the watch movement is American-made remains an area for further investigation
  • The specific nature of the relationship between the case maker initials 'A.B.' and the watch production is not documented

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

Consulted source

Pocket Watch - American Watch Company, 1882

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 0be165ad83

Terms in this record

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