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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Full hunter jump hour pocket watch

Cortebert gun metal keyless wind full hunter jump hour pocket watch

Partially verified

According to Bonhams, this keyless wind full hunter jump hour pocket watch was produced by Cortebert circa 1930 for the Chinese market. It features a gun metal case fitted with an open hunter front cover, a fluted winding crown, and a suspension bow. The visible silver-toned face is decorated with engraved and toned foliage and botanical motifs flanking a vertical display panel. This arrangement incorporates two stacked apertures displaying discs inscribed with Chinese characters positioned above a small lower subsidiary dial with a blued steel hand.

Front view of the Cortebert gun metal hunter pocket watch with cover open
Front view of the Cortebert gun metal hunter pocket watch with cover open — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Pocket watch · Full hunter jump hour pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Cortebert
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
30
Source-reported date
Circa 1930
Country
Not established

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 Classification

Identified under Lot 30 as a keyless wind full hunter jump hour pocket watch attributed to Cortebert, this timepiece is described in Bonhams cataloguing as dating to circa 1930 and produced for the Chinese market. The lot details provided in the auction entry are restricted to this title designation, without accompanying movement serial numbers or specific reference codes.

The classification as a jump hour pocket watch correlates with the aperture-based numeric display rather than standard hour and minute hands, although no internal mechanical description is provided in the auction record.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cortebert. A gun metal keyless wind full hunter jump hour pocket watch for the Chinese market Circa 1930”
  • “Lot 30”

Case Construction and Form

The watch features a full hunter case made of gun metal, shown in the source photograph with the front cover hinged open. The gun metal exterior and interior cover rims display a dark finish.

The pendant assembly includes a gold-toned fluted winding crown and an attached pendant bow. Case dimensions and external case back markings are not recorded in the source text.

Evidence for this section
  • “A gun metal keyless wind full hunter jump hour pocket watch”
  • “Dark gun metal case with a gold-toned fluted winding crown and pendant bow.”

Dial Display and Decoration

Direct visual observation reveals a silver-toned dial face adorned with engraved floral and botanical sprays in contrasting gold and brown tones. Flanked by these sprays is a central vertical panel housing two stacked apertures that show discs marked with Chinese numerals or characters.

Positioned directly below the vertical panel apertures is a small subsidiary dial fitted with a blued steel hand, providing an analog subdial indication.

Evidence for this section
  • “Open hunter cover showing a silver-toned dial face with engraved floral and botanical sprays in contrasting gold/brown tones.”
  • “Central vertical panel featuring two apertures displaying Chinese numeral or character discs.”
  • “Lower subsidiary subdial below the apertures with a blued steel hand.”

Open research questions

  • What specific calibre or ebauche movement powers the jump hour mechanism and subsidiary seconds?
  • Are there any maker's marks, serial numbers, or purity stamps present on the inner cuvette or interior of the case covers?
  • What are the physical dimensions (diameter and thickness) of the gun metal case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Cortebert gun metal keyless wind full hunter jump hour pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerCortebert“Cortebert.”
Case MaterialGun metal“A gun metal keyless wind full hunter jump hour pocket watch”
Target MarketChinese market“for the Chinese market”
DateCirca 1930“Circa 1930”

Visible details

  • Open hunter cover showing a silver-toned dial face with engraved floral and botanical sprays in contrasting gold/brown tones.
  • Central vertical panel featuring two apertures displaying Chinese numeral or character discs.
  • Lower subsidiary subdial below the apertures with a blued steel hand.
  • Dark gun metal case with a gold-toned fluted winding crown and pendant bow.

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement, inner cuvette, case back, and front cover exterior are not visible in the provided photograph.
  • Calibre details, movement signatures, and case dimensions are not specified in the lot description.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : Cortebert. A gun metal keyless wind full hunter jump hour pocket watch for the Chinese market Circa 1930

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 1e35514bf6

Terms in this record

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