Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter-case pocket watch

Elgin Hunter-case Pocket Watch, G.W. Wheeler

Partially verified

This Elgin hunter-case pocket watch represents the G.W. Wheeler model, dated by the source to circa 1889. The front cover opens to reveal a fancy white dial with Arabic numerals, pierced gold hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock. The stem-wind, lever-set movement contains 13 to 15 jewels and bears serial number 3471851. The 54.5 mm case, numbered 1720567, is reported by the auction house to be fully engraved with a village scene on both sides. Although originally catalogued as 14kt gold, a saleroom notice clarified that the case is gold filled.

Front view of Elgin hunter-case pocket watch with opened cover displaying dial and ornate hands
Front view of Elgin hunter-case pocket watch with opened cover displaying dial and ornate hands — Bonhams Skinner. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter-case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Elgin
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
29
Source-reported date
c. 1889
Country
Not established
Source-reported serial
3471851

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 Visual Appearance

The pocket watch is fitted with an open hunter case showing a white dial arranged with stylized Arabic numerals. The dial features pierced gold hands and an inset, sunken subsidiary seconds register positioned directly above 6 o'clock.

External fittings observable on the case include a ribbed winding crown and a circular bow placed at the 3 o'clock position. The open front cover and outer rim display extensive ornamental decorative engraving.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: fancy Arabic numeral with pierced gold hands, sunk seconds”
  • “Open hunter case displaying front white dial, ribbed winding crown, and circular bow at 3 o'clock”

Case Construction and Material Amendment

The watch case measures 54.5 mm across and has a recorded total weight of 139 grams, bearing the case number 1720567. The auction cataloguer notes that the exterior is fully engraved with a village scene across both sides.

While originally titled and catalogued as 14kt gold, an explicit saleroom notice amended this description, clarifying that the case metal is actually gold filled rather than solid gold.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: fully engraved with a village scene on both sides, no. 1720567”
  • “Size: 54.5 mm”
  • “Weight: 139 grams”
  • “This is NOT gold; it is gold filled.”

Reported Movement and Dating

The movement is not visible in the provided photograph, leaving internal construction unverified by direct observation. According to the source entry, the watch contains a stem-wind, lever-set movement bearing serial number 3471851.

The cataloguing reports a jewel count of 13 to 15 jewels for this Elgin 'G.W. Wheeler' model and provides an approximate dating of circa 1889.

Evidence for this section
  • “Model: G.W. Wheeler”
  • “Date: c. 1889”
  • “Movement: stem-wind, lever-set 13-15-jewel, no. 3471851”

Open research questions

  • What specific grade and size corresponds to Elgin movement serial number 3471851 in historical Elgin factory records?
  • Which case manufacturer produced case number 1720567, and what specific maker trademarks or patent marks are present on the case interior?
  • Does inspection of the uncased movement confirm whether it is fitted with 13, 14, or 15 jewels?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Elgin Hunter-case Pocket Watch, G.W. Wheeler
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
ModelG.W. Wheeler“Model: G.W. Wheeler”
Movement Serial Number3471851“no. 3471851”
Case Serial Number1720567“no. 1720567”
Diameter54.5 mm“Size: 54.5 mm”
Total Weight139 grams“Weight: 139 grams”
Case Material CorrectionGold filled“This is NOT gold; it is gold filled.”
Winding and Setting TypeStem-wind, lever-set“stem-wind, lever-set”
Jewel Count13–15 jewels“13-15-jewel”

Visible details

  • Open hunter case displaying front white dial, ribbed winding crown, and circular bow at 3 o'clock
  • Dial features stylised Arabic numerals and pierced decorative gilt hands
  • Sunken sub-seconds dial positioned above the 6 o'clock position
  • Extensive ornamental engraving visible on the outer rim and the open front cover

Research qualifications

  • Movement and reverse exterior of the case are not visible in the provided photograph
  • Original listing title states 14kt gold, but a saleroom notice explicitly clarifies it is gold filled

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

Consulted source

Bonhams Skinner : Elgin 14kt Gold Hunter-case Watch G.W. Wheeler, c. 1889

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 30ac4521e2

Terms in this record

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

Other hunter-case pocket watch records