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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Half-hunter pocket watch

Dennison Half Hunter 9k Gold Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This half-hunter pocket watch is housed in a 9k gold case attributed to Dennison, measuring 49 mm in diameter and 67 mm in total height including the bow. The watch features a white dial with black Arabic numerals, an outer railway minute track, and a subsidiary seconds subdial positioned at 6 o'clock. It is fitted with blued steel hands and an aperture on the hinged front cover. According to the seller, it is powered by an unidentified 16-jewel manual-wind mechanical movement and dates to circa 1850.

Open front view of the Dennison 9k gold half-hunter pocket watch held in hand, showing the white dial and hinged cover aperture
Open front view of the Dennison 9k gold half-hunter pocket watch held in hand, showing the white dial and hinged cover aperture — Vintage Watch Specialist. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
vintagewatchspecialist.com
Category
Pocket watch · Half-hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Dennison
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
vws4223cs
Source-reported date
c.1850
Country
United Kingdom

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 Exterior Form

The timepiece is cased in 9k gold and configured as a half-hunter pocket watch, measuring 49 mm in width with a stated lug height of 67 mm. The hinged front cover features a central circular aperture surrounded by enamel Roman numerals for half-hunter reading. The winding crown and bow are positioned at the 3 o'clock location relative to the dial.

The seller attributes the case to Dennison and provides background on the Dennison Watch Case Company's late 19th-century founding in Birmingham. The case is fitted with a plexiglass crystal, and the seller notes light surface marks from handling and age.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case 9k Gold”
  • “Width 49mm”
  • “Lug Height 67mm”
  • “Front cover has a central circular aperture surrounded by enamel Roman numerals for half-hunter reading.”
  • “Winding crown and bow located at the 3 o'clock position relative to the dial layout.”
  • “Crystal Plexiglass”
  • “Dennison Watch Case Company was founded in Birmingham in the late 19th century and became one of Britain’s most important watch case manufacturers.”

Dial Configuration

The watch features a white dial detailed with black Arabic numerals, an outer railway minute track, and Breguet-style blued hands for the hours and minutes. A subsidiary seconds register is situated at the 6 o'clock position.

Along the lower edge of the dial flanking the 6 o'clock marker, the watch bears a visible 'SWISS MADE' marking. The seller listing does not specify a movement or dial brand beyond the Dennison case attribution.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial features black Arabic numerals, an outer railway minute track, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Breguet-style blued hands for the hours and minutes.”
  • “'SWISS MADE' designation visible along the bottom edge of the dial flanking the 6 o'clock marker.”
  • “Dial White”

Movement Details and Dating Discrepancies

The seller describes the internal movement as a manual-winding mechanical calibre with 16 jewels. Specific calibre information is marked as unknown ('Calibre u/k') with no internal movement imagery provided in the record.

The listing assigns a date of issue of 'c.1850'. However, this date is in tension with the seller's accompanying historical note stating that the Dennison Watch Case Company was founded in the late 19th century, as well as the visible 'SWISS MADE' text on the dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement Type Mechanical”
  • “Winding Manual”
  • “Jewels 16j”
  • “Calibre u/k”
  • “Date of Issue c.1850”
  • “Dennison Watch Case Company was founded in Birmingham in the late 19th century”
  • “'SWISS MADE' designation visible along the bottom edge of the dial flanking the 6 o'clock marker.”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks and maker's marks are present inside the case to establish the precise assay date and verify the Dennison Birmingham manufacture?
  • What Swiss manufacturer produced the 16-jewel movement fitted inside the Dennison case?
  • Does movement or case serial numbering clarify the true production period given the discrepancy between the c.1850 listing and the late 19th-to-20th-century features?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Dennison Half Hunter 9k Gold Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Material9k Gold“Case 9k Gold”
Jewels16j“Jewels 16j”
Width49mm“Width 49mm”
Lug Height67mm“Lug Height 67mm”
Movement TypeMechanical“Movement Type Mechanical”
CrystalPlexiglass“Crystal Plexiglass”
Accompanying BoxPresent“Box Yes”
Accompanying PapersNot present“Papers No”
Seller Condition Rating8.5/10“Condition 8.5/10”

Visible details

  • Front cover has a central circular aperture surrounded by enamel Roman numerals for half-hunter reading.
  • White dial features black Arabic numerals, an outer railway minute track, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.
  • 'SWISS MADE' designation visible along the bottom edge of the dial flanking the 6 o'clock marker.
  • Winding crown and bow located at the 3 o'clock position relative to the dial layout.
  • Breguet-style blued hands for the hours and minutes.

Research qualifications

  • The movement calibre is unstated ('Calibre u/k') by the seller and movement views are not provided.
  • The dial is marked 'SWISS MADE' while the case is attributed to British maker Dennison.
  • The seller's date of c.1850 conflicts with the founding of the Dennison Watch Case Co. in the late 19th century as well as typical early 20th-century Swiss pocket watch styling.

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

Consulted source

Dennison Half Hunter - 9k Gold Case Pocket Watch - Superb Condition - – Vintage Watch Specialist

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 02d450192e

Terms in this record

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

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