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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter case detent chronometer pocket watch

Girard-Perregaux detent chronometer hunter case pocket watch

Partially verified

Catalogued as dating to circa 1890, this 18k yellow gold hunter case pocket watch by Girard-Perregaux measures 55 mm in diameter. The source reports a manual-wind detent chronometer movement bearing number 303'690, matching its case number. The watch features a white dial signed 'GIRARD-PERREGAUX CHAUX-DE-FONDS' with black Roman numerals, outer 24-hour markers from 13 to 24, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. According to the auction house, the piece is signed on the case, cuvette, dial, and movement, and is housed in a chased and engraved hunter case with Art Nouveau floral decoration.

Girard-Perregaux 18k yellow gold hunter case detent chronometer pocket watch with white 24-hour dial
Girard-Perregaux 18k yellow gold hunter case detent chronometer pocket watch with white 24-hour dial — Phillips. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.phillips.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter case detent chronometer pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Girard-Perregaux
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
889
Source-reported date
Circa 1890
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
303'690

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

Identity and Case Construction

This pocket watch is catalogued by Phillips as an 18k yellow gold Girard-Perregaux detent chronometer hunter case watch dating to circa 1890, measuring 55 mm in diameter. The source notes that the case and movement share serial number 303'690. The fluted winding crown and bow are set at the 3 o'clock position for a side-hinged hunter case configuration.

The auction essay describes the exterior as a chased and engraved hunter case in an Art Nouveau style, centering on a lion's head motif surrounded by a floral garland with buds and tendrils. Visible inspection confirms relief decoration along the outer edge of the opened front cover, though the full front motif is not entirely visible in the cataloguing photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case No 303'690”
  • “The chased and engraved hunter case is reminiscent of the art nouveau style.”
  • “The center features a lion’s head set within a floral garland with buds and tendrils.”
  • “Relief decoration visible along the outer edge of the opened front cover.”

Dial Configuration

The dial is executed in white enamel and is signed 'GIRARD-PERREGAUX CHAUX-DE-FONDS' beneath the 12 o'clock position. The hour chapter features black Roman numerals complemented by an outer track of Arabic numerals numbered 13 through 24.

Indications are provided by blued steel spade hands. A subsidiary seconds register is situated at the 6 o'clock position, marked with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial bearing black Roman hour numerals and outer Arabic numerals 13 to 24.”
  • “Dial signed 'GIRARD-PERREGAUX CHAUX-DE-FONDS' beneath the 12 o'clock position.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic ten-second numerals.”
  • “Blued steel spade hands and central blued seconds/arbor mounting.”

Mechanism and Source Limitations

The movement is catalogued as a manual-wind detent chronometer bearing number 303'690, with the auctioneer recording that the case, cuvette, dial, and movement are signed. The auction essay notes that detent chronometer escapements operated with a single impulse designed to reduce friction compared to lever escapements.

Because the available image shows only the front dial and an edge of the opened front lid, the movement, inner cuvette, and internal case markings are not directly verified by photograph. Escapement details, internal signatures, and internal serial numbering rely entirely on the auction house cataloguing.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement No 303'690”
  • “Calibre Manual”
  • “Signed Case, cuvette, dial and movement signed”
  • “This type of escapement was constructed so there was only one impulse, compared with the lever that had two.”

Open research questions

  • What specific architecture does movement 303'690 utilize (e.g., pivoted or spring detent, balance type, jewel count), which cannot be confirmed from the dial-only photograph?
  • Does the interior cuvette bear exhibition medals, technical descriptions, or dedication engravings beyond the stated maker signature?
  • Can Girard-Perregaux archive ledgers confirm the exact production and sale dates for serial number 303'690 beyond the circa 1890 estimate?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Girard-Perregaux detent chronometer hunter case pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Material18k yellow gold“Material 18k yellow gold”
Diameter55mm“Dimensions 55mm diameter”
Movement Number303'690“Movement No 303'690”
Case Number303'690“Case No 303'690”
CalibreManual“Calibre Manual”
SignaturesCase, cuvette, dial and movement signed“Signed Case, cuvette, dial and movement signed”
Case MotifLion's head set within a floral garland“The center features a lion’s head set within a floral garland with buds and tendrils.”
DatingCirca 1890“Year Circa 1890”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial bearing black Roman hour numerals and outer Arabic numerals 13 to 24.
  • Dial signed 'GIRARD-PERREGAUX CHAUX-DE-FONDS' beneath the 12 o'clock position.
  • Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic ten-second numerals.
  • Blued steel spade hands and central blued seconds/arbor mounting.
  • Fluted winding crown with bow situated at the 3 o'clock position for a side-hinged hunter case configuration.
  • Relief decoration visible along the outer edge of the opened front cover.

Research qualifications

  • The movement and interior cuvette are not visible in the photograph; movement caliber, detent escapement, and movement serial number rely on source cataloguing.
  • The full lion's head exterior motif described by the source is not fully visible on the opened cover.

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

Consulted source

Girard Perregaux The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SEVEN

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 1e1630f394

Terms in this record

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