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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Half hunter triple calendar moon phase pocket watch

French Half Hunter Case Triple Calendar Moon Phase Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This 18K yellow gold half hunter pocket watch measures 52.3 mm in diameter and is signed 'FRENCH, ROYAL EXCHANGE, LONDON' alongside movement and case number 22'939. The auction house dates the watch to circa 1874, reporting London hallmarks for 1874 on a heavy gold case crafted by casemaker Alfred Stram. The white enamel dial features Roman numerals, subsidiary dials for the month and continuous seconds, a retrograde date sector, an aperture for the day of the week, and a moon phase indicator below 12 o'clock. The source records a manual keyless three-quarter plate movement featuring a lateral lever escapement, bimetallic balance, blued steel overcoil balance spring, and diamond endstone.

Front view of the open 18K gold half hunter pocket watch showing the enamel dial, moon phase, and calendar indications.
Front view of the open 18K gold half hunter pocket watch showing the enamel dial, moon phase, and calendar indications. — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Half hunter triple calendar moon phase pocket watch
Maker / attribution
French
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
209
Source-reported date
circa 1874
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
22'939

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 Configuration and Calendar Display

Visual observation of the open half hunter watch shows an enamel dial with a semicircular moon phase indicator positioned at the top. Beneath the moon phase aperture is a retrograde date arc calibrated from 1 to 31.

The lower portion of the dial contains two subsidiary dials flanking a rectangular day aperture displaying 'SAT'. The left subdial displays calendar months, and the right subdial tracks running seconds. Engraved control labels reading 'DATE', 'MOON', 'HANDS', and 'WEEK' are visible along the surrounding gold bezel edge.

Evidence for this section
  • “Hinged front cover opened to the left revealing an enamel dial with a semicircular moon phase indicator at the top.”
  • “Retrograde date arc positioned below the moon phase aperture, spanning from 1 to 31.”
  • “Twin subsidiary dials near 6 o'clock displaying calendar months on the left and running seconds on the right, flanking a day aperture displaying 'SAT'.”
  • “Engraved control labels reading 'DATE', 'MOON', 'HANDS', and 'WEEK' visible on the surrounding gold bezel edge.”

Case Construction and Maker Attribution

The 18K gold case measures 52.3 mm in diameter. The cataloguer reports that the heavy gold case bears London hallmarks for 1874 and was produced by casemaker Alfred Stram (1816–1893), who worked predominantly in London after being born in Switzerland.

The watch dial is signed 'French, Royal Exchange, London'. While noting that multiple watchmakers with the surname French operated near the Royal Exchange, the auction essay states that the piece was 'almost certainly made by Joseph French who was working at the Royal Exchange at this period'.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE MATERIAL: 18K gold”
  • “DIAMETER: 52.3 mm. diam.”
  • “The heavy 18K gold case features London hallmarks for 1874 and was made by one of the most revered casemakers of the 19th century, Alfred Stram (1816-1893).”
  • “Although signed simply ”French, Royal Exchange, London”, this high grade and extremely attractive complicated watch with the rare and unusual feature of a retrograde date function and heavy gold case supplied by the master casemaker Alfred Stram, was almost certainly made by Joseph French who was working at the Royal Exchange at this period.”

Reported Movement Specifications and Physical Condition

Because the inner case and calibre are not shown in the available front-facing photograph, mechanical specifications rely entirely on the auction description. The source records a manual, keyless matte gilt three-quarter plate movement featuring a lateral lever escapement, bimetallic balance, blued steel balance spring with overcoil, and a diamond endstone.

The seller's condition report notes faint hair cracks on the enamel dial, specifically between the 3 and 4 o'clock numerals extending toward the subsidiary seconds, and another crack between the subsidiary seconds dial and number 31 of the date track. The report also notes small areas of dark blue enamel missing from the outer chapter ring of the front cover.

Evidence for this section
  • “With matte gilt three-quarter plate movement, the lateral lever escapement has a bimetallic balance with blued steel balance spring with overcoil and a diamond endstone”
  • “there are two or three faint short hair cracks between the 3 and 4 o’clock numerals from the edge to the edge of the subsidiary seconds, a further hair crack from the top of the subsidiary seconds to the number 31 of the date calendar”
  • “some very small areas of dark blue enamel missing from the cover chapter ring.”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks and casemaker sponsor stamps (e.g., Alfred Stram's mark) are struck inside the case back or cuvette?
  • Is the movement itself signed or numbered to match the case and dial number 22'939?
  • What evidence beyond operational dates connects movement number 22'939 directly to Joseph French rather than other contemporary watchmakers named French?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French Half Hunter Case Triple Calendar Moon Phase Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Material18K gold“CASE MATERIAL: 18K gold”
Diameter52.3 mm“DIAMETER: 52.3 mm. diam.”
Movement Number22'939“MOVEMENT & CASE NO. 22'939”
Circa1874“CIRCA: 1874”
CasemakerAlfred Stram“heavy gold case supplied by the master casemaker Alfred Stram”
Winding and SettingManual, keyless“MOVEMENT: Manual, keyless”
Reported FunctionsTime, moon phases, triple calendar, retrograde date“FUNCTIONS: Time, moon phases, triple calendar, retrograde date”

Visible details

  • Hinged front cover opened to the left revealing an enamel dial with a semicircular moon phase indicator at the top.
  • Retrograde date arc positioned below the moon phase aperture, spanning from 1 to 31.
  • Twin subsidiary dials near 6 o'clock displaying calendar months on the left and running seconds on the right, flanking a day aperture displaying 'SAT'.
  • Engraved control labels reading 'DATE', 'MOON', 'HANDS', and 'WEEK' visible on the surrounding gold bezel edge.

Research qualifications

  • Attribution to Joseph French is proposed as probable by the auction house rather than explicitly proven by the dial signature alone.
  • Case interior, movement, and hallmarks are not visible in the primary image and rely on source documentation.

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

Consulted source

FRENCH, HALF HUNTER CASE TRIPLE CALENDAR MOON PHASE POCKET WATCH WITH RETROGRADE DATE, MOVEMENT & CASE NO. 22'939 | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 4dc6812904

Terms in this record

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