Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunterd pocket watch

Girard-Perregaux Hunting Cased Pocket Watch with Spring Detent Escapement

Partially verified

This hunting cased pocket watch is attributed by the source to Girard-Perregaux and dated to circa 1900. Measuring 55.5 mm in diameter, the 18k yellow gold case features an engine-turned exterior centered by an engraved cartouche and includes an internal crystal display back. According to auction documentation, the manual-winding jewelled movement is equipped with a spring detent escapement and a spherical hairspring. The white enamel dial and movement are reported as signed, while the case bears the signature of R. Waldfogel.

Engine-turned yellow gold front lid of the Girard-Perregaux hunting cased pocket watch with floral cartouche
Engine-turned yellow gold front lid of the Girard-Perregaux hunting cased pocket watch with floral cartouche — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sothebys.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunterd pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Girard-Perregaux
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
359
Source-reported date
Circa 1900
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
80'317, 7'470

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 Construction and Exterior Ornamentation

The timepiece is housed in an 18k yellow gold hunting case measuring 55.5 mm in diameter. Direct observation shows the exterior lid featuring a circular barleycorn engine-turned pattern framed by coin-edge reeding along the outer rim and case band. A central vacant heraldic cartouche is encircled by an engraved decorative wreath of flowers and foliage.

A ribbed fluted winding crown is mounted at the top beneath a round suspension bow with flared collars. Auction documentation states that the watch also incorporates an internal crystal display back, and records the case numbers as 80'317 and 7'470.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: 18k yellow gold, hunting cased and crystal display back”
  • “Case number: 80'317, 7'470”
  • “Size: 55.5 mm diameter”
  • “Circular 18k yellow gold hunting case featuring a barleycorn engine-turned pattern.”
  • “Central vacant heraldic cartouche surrounded by an engraved wreath of flowers and foliage.”
  • “Ribbed fluted winding crown situated beneath a round suspension bow with flared collars.”
  • “Coin-edge reeding along the outer rim and case band.”

Reported Movement and Dial Specifications

According to the cataloguing description, the internal movement is a manual-winding jewelled calibre configured with a spring detent escapement and a spherical hair spring. The movement is reported as signed, though it is concealed behind the closed case in the provided photograph.

The dial is described in auction records as white enamel and is likewise stated to be signed. Because the watch is photographed solely with its hunting lid closed, the dial configuration and internal movement details are not directly visible in the image.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: white enamel”
  • “Calibre: manual winding, jewelled, spring detent escapement, spherical hair spring”
  • “Signed: dial and movement, case signed R. Waldfogel”

Attribution and Source Documentation

The auction entry attributes the pocket watch to Girard-Perregaux and assigns an approximate date of circa 1900. Regarding signatures, the entry reports: 'Signed: dial and movement, case signed R. Waldfogel'.

The source text does not state the country of manufacture or define the historical relationship between R. Waldfogel and Girard-Perregaux. The catalog listing records an unsigned presentation case as an accessory and notes that papers are not present.

Evidence for this section
  • “Girard-Perregaux A yellow gold hunting cased watch with spring detent escapement and spherical hair spring | Circa 1900”
  • “Signed: dial and movement, case signed R. Waldfogel”
  • “Accessories: unsigned presentation case”
  • “Papers: no”

Open research questions

  • What specific role did R. Waldfogel have regarding this watch—independent casemaker, case manufacturer for Girard-Perregaux, or an external retailer?
  • What specific markings, signatures, or chronometer competition records (if any) are stamped onto the movement plates visible through the internal crystal display back?
  • Why are two distinct numerical sequences (80'317 and 7'470) recorded for the case, and do either correlate with Girard-Perregaux movement production ledgers around 1900?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Girard-Perregaux Hunting Cased Pocket Watch with Spring Detent Escapement
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Material18k yellow gold“Case: 18k yellow gold, hunting cased and crystal display back”
EscapementSpring detent escapement, spherical hair spring“Calibre: manual winding, jewelled, spring detent escapement, spherical hair spring”
Case Numbers80'317, 7'470“Case number: 80'317, 7'470”
Size55.5 mm diameter“Size: 55.5 mm diameter”
DialWhite enamel“Dial: white enamel”
SignaturesDial and movement signed, case signed R. Waldfogel“Signed: dial and movement, case signed R. Waldfogel”
Accompanying AccessoriesUnsigned presentation case; no papers“Papers: no Accessories: unsigned presentation case”
BoxYes“Box: yes”

Visible details

  • Circular 18k yellow gold hunting case featuring a barleycorn engine-turned pattern.
  • Central vacant heraldic cartouche surrounded by an engraved wreath of flowers and foliage.
  • Ribbed fluted winding crown situated beneath a round suspension bow with flared collars.
  • Coin-edge reeding along the outer rim and case band.

Research qualifications

  • The watch is photographed with its hunting cover closed; internal crystal display back, movement, and dial are not visible in the provided image.
  • Country of manufacture is not explicitly specified in the source text.

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

Consulted source

Girard-Perregaux | A yellow gold hunting cased watch with spring

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 95def896ab

Terms in this record

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

Other hunterd pocket watch records