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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch

Freesprung English Minute Repeating Hunter Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This English pocket watch is a keyless-wound minute repeater in a full hunter case. Constructed from 18-karat gold, the case features a simple, heavy surface with a recessed gold slide for chime activation, a gold pendant, and dual spring-loaded covers. The white enamel dial displays Roman numerals with a subsidiary seconds dial and blue steel hands. The movement is a gold-plated half-plate design, configured with a raised section to accommodate the winding barrel. Its timing assembly includes a compensation balance, a blued steel overcoil balance spring without a regulator (freesprung), and a simple cock featuring a diamond endstone. The English double-roller lever escapement utilizes jeweled pallet stones, with endstones provided for both the escape and lever pivots. A minute repeating mechanism, controlled by the side slide, strikes the time on two polished steel gongs. The watch is accompanied by a modern display box with blue leatherette finish.

Full hunter pocket watch in 18-karat gold with white enamel dial.
Full hunter pocket watch in 18-karat gold with white enamel dial. — Zamanito. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
PW
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
20th century
Source-reported place
England

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 heavy 18-karat gold full hunter case, designed with a plain, unadorned exterior. The case is constructed with dual spring-loaded covers, which facilitate the opening of the front cover to reveal the dial. A recessed gold slide is integrated into the side of the case band to operate the repeating complication.

The white enamel dial is traditional in its layout, featuring black Roman numerals for the hours. It includes a subsidiary seconds track positioned at the six o'clock mark. The hour, minute, and seconds hands are manufactured from blued steel, providing visual contrast against the white enamel background.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه ساعت از نوع تمام‌شکارچی (Full Hunter) و از طلای ۱۸ عیار با ساختاری ضخیم و سطحی ساده ساخته شده است”
  • “صفحه ساعت از جنس مینای سفید طراحی شده و زمان را با ارقام رومی نمایش می‌دهد”

Movement and Complications

The movement is a gold-plated, half-plate design, utilizing a keyless winding mechanism. A distinct feature of the plate is a raised area intended to house the winding barrel. The regulating system deviates from standard practice by utilizing a freesprung configuration, which incorporates a compensation balance and a blued steel overcoil balance spring, eliminating the need for a traditional regulator index. The balance cock is fitted with a diamond endstone.

The watch employs an English double-roller lever escapement, with jeweled pallet stones and endstones provided for both the escape wheel and lever pivots. The minute repeating mechanism is activated by the slide, which strikes the time on two polished steel gongs located within the case.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت طبق اطلاعات منبع، از نوع بدون کلید با ساختار نیم‌پلیت طلااندود است”
  • “چرخ‌دنگ دستگاه از نوع لنگری دابل رولر انگلیسی با سنگ‌های جواهری پیچ‌شده و سنگ‌های ته‌محور (Endstones) برای محورهای فرار و لنگر است”

Marks and Presentation

The case bears the maker mark 'PW' enclosed within an oval frame. The timepiece is supplied with a modern display box finished in blue leatherette, distinguishing it from an original period container.

The manufacturing origins are attributed to England, and the watch is dated to the 20th century. No further details regarding specific workshops or hallmarking information beyond the 'PW' mark are documented in the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “علامت سازنده به صورت «PW» درون یک قاب بیضی بر روی آن ثبت شده است”
  • “این ساعت همراه با یک جعبه نمایش جدید با روکش چرم تیماج آبی‌رنگ ارائه شده است”

Open research questions

  • What is the identity of the maker associated with the 'PW' mark?
  • Does the case contain English hallmarks that could more precisely date the manufacture of the gold housing?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Freesprung English Minute Repeating Hunter Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case material18-karat gold“بدنه ساعت از نوع تمام‌شکارچی (Full Hunter) و از طلای ۱۸ عیار”
Maker markPW inside an oval“علامت سازنده به صورت «PW» درون یک قاب بیضی بر روی آن ثبت شده است”
Escapement typeEnglish double-roller lever“چرخ‌دنگ دستگاه از نوع لنگری دابل رولر انگلیسی”
Movement typeKeyless half-plate“موتور ساعت طبق اطلاعات منبع، از نوع بدون کلید با ساختار نیم‌پلیت طلااندود”
Striking mechanismMinute repeater“سیستم تکرارکننده نیز با حرکت دادن اسلاید، دقایق را روی دو گانگ فولادی صیقلی می‌نوازد”
DialWhite enamel“صفحه ساعت از جنس مینای سفید طراحی شده”

Visible details

  • Case features dual spring-loaded covers
  • White enamel dial with subsidiary seconds at six o'clock
  • Recessed slide mechanism for minute repeater activation on the case edge
  • Blued steel hands contrasting against white enamel surface

Research qualifications

  • The exact identity of the maker marked 'PW' is not provided in the source
  • The source describes the object as 20th century but does not provide specific manufacturing years

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

Consulted source

Freesprung English Minute Repeating Hunter

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record ff028c6837

Terms in this record

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

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