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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch

Gold quarter repeating hunting case pocket watch

Partially verified

This 18-carat gold hunting case pocket watch dates from 1893. It features a quarter-repeating movement, which is stem-wound and pin-set, and is equipped with a cut balance featuring an overcoil spring. The watch includes an enamel dial with blue hour, minute, and second hands, and a minute sub-dial positioned at 6 o'clock. The exterior of the case is undecorated. The dust cover is engraved with a presentation inscription to Edwin Bamford from members of the legal profession in the Hawkes Bay Registration District, dated 28th September 1893. The movement and case are housed within a gold casing marked with the serial number 27817. This object is held in the Applied Arts and Design collection of the Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, having been donated by Miss Nancy R. Bamford in 1985.

Internal view of the watch showing the presentation engraving on the gold dust cover.
Internal view of the watch showing the presentation engraving on the gold dust cover. — Auckland Museum Collections. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
commons.wikimedia.org
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1985.79, H422
Source-reported date
1893
Source-reported place
Not established
Source-reported serial
27817

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 pocket watch is encased in an 18-carat gold hunting case. The exterior surfaces of the case are devoid of decoration. A flat glass cover protects the enamel dial.

The dial features blue hands for the hour, minute, and second indications. A minute sub-dial is positioned at the 6 o'clock mark on the dial face.

Evidence for this section
  • “Hunting case pocket watch 18 carat gold case and watch”
  • “one minute sub-dial inserted at 6 o'clock”
  • “blue hour, minute and second hands, flat glass cover.”

Movement and Functions

The watch utilizes a quarter-repeating movement, allowing for the audible indication of time. It is wound via the stem and utilizes a pin-set mechanism for time adjustment.

Technical components within the movement include a cut balance paired with an overcoil spring. The movement includes a repeater function to indicate the quarters.

Evidence for this section
  • “quarter repeating movement”
  • “stem wound, pin set, cut balance with overcoil spring”

Inscription and Provenance

The watch bears an engraved presentation inscription on the internal dome. It records the gift of the watch to Edwin Bamford by the members of the legal profession of the Hawkes Bay Registration District on 28th September 1893.

The object is part of the Applied Arts and Design collection at the Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira. It was acquired as a gift from Miss Nancy R. Bamford in 1985 and is recorded under the accession number 1985.79, H422.

Evidence for this section
  • “engraved on dome: "Presented to Edwin Bamford by the members of the legal profession in the Hawkes Bay Registration District 28th Sept 1893”
  • “Gift of Miss Nancy R Bamford, 1985, Collection of Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, 1985.79, H422”

Open research questions

  • What is the name of the movement manufacturer or the maker of the case?
  • Are there additional hallmarking symbols visible on the internal case walls that define the assay office or date letter?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold quarter repeating hunting case pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Material18 carat gold“18 carat gold case and watch”
Serial Number27817“serial number on case: "27817”
Setting MechanismPin set“pin set”
Winding MechanismStem wound“stem wound”
InscriptionPresented to Edwin Bamford by the members of the legal profession in the Hawkes Bay Registration District 28th Sept 1893“Presented to Edwin Bamford by the members of the legal profession in the Hawkes Bay Registration District 28th Sept 1893”
Accession Number1985.79, H422“Collection of Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, 1985.79, H422”

Visible details

  • The watch features a plain gold hunting case
  • The interior dust cover is engraved with presentation text
  • A minute sub-dial is visible at the 6 o'clock position on the dial
  • The crown and bow appear to be gold-colored

Research qualifications

  • The maker of the movement and case is not stated in the source
  • The specific hallmarking details beyond the karats are not fully transcribed

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

Consulted source

Gold quarter repeating hunting case pocket watch, 1893

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 60e63e3c68

Terms in this record

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

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