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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Full hunter pocket watch

Full hunter silver pocket watch with portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar

Partially verified

This European full hunter pocket watch was produced for the Persian export market and is attributed by the source to France or England around the 1890s to 1900s. Encased in silver with a diameter of 4.5 cm, the front cover bears an oval polychrome enamel portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar dressed in military uniform with an aigrette on his Astrakhan fur cap. The auction catalogue describes an internal white enamel dial featuring black Roman numerals, blued moon hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 3 o'clock, powered by a movement with a three-quarter plate and compensated balance.

Front hunter cover of the silver pocket watch featuring an enamel portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar
Front hunter cover of the silver pocket watch featuring an enamel portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar — Chiswick Auctions. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Full hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
73
Source-reported date
ca. 1890s - 1900s
Country
France or England (possibly)

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 Exterior Decoration

This full hunter pocket watch features a circular silver case measuring 4.5 cm in diameter. The exterior perimeter and bezel exhibit engine-turned or reeded textured decoration, and the watch is equipped with a top-mounted pendant, bow, and crown.

The front cover of the case is decorated with an oval polychrome enamel portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar. The subject is depicted wearing military garb with a tall aigrette on his black Astrakhan fur headdress.

Evidence for this section
  • “4.5cm diam.”
  • “Circular case perimeter and bezel exhibit engine-turned or reeded textured decoration.”
  • “the front cover with an oval portrait of the Qajar Shah of Persia, Muzaffar al-Din Shah (1853 - 1907), dressed in his military garb with a tall aigrette on the front of his black Astrakhan fur headdress”
  • “painted in polychrome enamels over the silver surface”

Dial and Mechanism

The watch features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, a black outer minute division, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 3 o'clock position. The time is indicated by blued heavy moon hands.

The movement is described as having a 3/4 bridge plate with a nickel finish and burnished friction jewels. It includes a blued hairspring and a compensated balance.

Evidence for this section
  • “white enamelled dial with black Roman numerals, black outer minute division, blued heavy moon hands, and subsidiary dial for seconds at the three o'clock position”
  • “3/4 bridge plate, nickel finish, burnished friction jewels, blued hair spring with a compensated balance”

Historical Attribution and Context

The watch is identified as being made for the Persian export market. Auction documentation indicates a possible origin in France or England, with an estimated date range of the 1890s to 1900s.

No specific maker's marks or serial numbers are identified in the provided documentation.

Evidence for this section
  • “MADE FOR THE PERSIAN EXPORT MARKET”
  • “Possibly France or England, ca. 1890s - 1900s”

Open research questions

  • Are there any manufacturer hallmarks or silver purity stamps present on the case to verify a French or English origin?
  • Does the movement bear any signature, serial number, or identifying mark to confirm the maker?
  • Is there documentation verifying the specific association of this watch with the Persian export market?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Full hunter silver pocket watch with portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case materialSilver“A FULL HUNTER SILVER POCKET WATCH WITH A PORTRAIT OF MUZAFFAR AL-DIN SHAH QAJAR”
Dimensions4.5cm diameter“4.5cm diam.”
Target marketPersian export market“MADE FOR THE PERSIAN EXPORT MARKET”
Portrait subjectMuzaffar al-Din Shah (1853 - 1907)“the front cover with an oval portrait of the Qajar Shah of Persia, Muzaffar al-Din Shah (1853 - 1907)”
Movement description3/4 bridge plate, nickel finish, burnished friction jewels“3/4 bridge plate, nickel finish, burnished friction jewels, blued hair spring with a compensated balance”
Subject's Reign1896 - 1907“MUZAFFAR AL-DIN SHAH QAJAR (R. 1896 - 1907)”

Visible details

  • Closed silver full hunter case featuring an oval polychrome enamel medallion on the front cover.
  • The medallion portrays a moustachioed military figure wearing medals, a sash, and a black hat with an aigrette against a dark ground.
  • Circular case perimeter and bezel exhibit engine-turned or reeded textured decoration.
  • Fitted with a top-mounted pendant, bow, and crown.

Research qualifications

  • The dial, hands, and movement are detailed in the auction text but are concealed and not visible in the provided photograph.
  • Attribution to France or England and dating to ca. 1890s–1900s are based solely on source cataloguing.

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: A FULL HUNTER SILVER POCKET WATCH WITH A PORTRAIT OF MUZAFFAR AL-DIN SHAH QAJAR Possibly France or England, ca. 1890s - 1900s

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 27053b44ef

Terms in this record

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

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