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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Half-hunter pocket watch

Helvetia 9ct gold half-hunter pocket watch

Partially verified

This lot features a half-hunter pocket watch attributed by the source to Helvetia, described in the listing title as made of 9ct gold. Visible in the photograph is an open yellow-metal front cover with a central glazed circular aperture characteristic of half-hunter cases. The white dial is signed 'HELVETIA' below 12 o'clock and marked 'SWISS MADE' across the bottom edge flanking 6 o'clock. It features black Roman numeral hour indices, a peripheral railway-style minute track, blued steel double-spade hour and minute hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial numbered every 10 seconds at 6 o'clock with a matching blued steel hand. The winding stem and bow are positioned at the 3 o'clock mark relative to the dial.

Open view of the Helvetia 9ct gold half-hunter pocket watch showing white enamel dial and subsidiary seconds
Open view of the Helvetia 9ct gold half-hunter pocket watch showing white enamel dial and subsidiary seconds — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Pocket watch · Half-hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Helvetia
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
25
Source-reported date
Not established
Country
Switzerland

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 Attribution

The auction title lists this timepiece as a half-hunter pocket watch by Helvetia, reported in 9ct gold. On the dial itself, the maker name 'HELVETIA' is displayed below 12 o'clock.

The dial margin at 6 o'clock is signed 'SWISS MADE'. Beyond the headline title, the auction listing text contains no additional descriptive information regarding provenance or production year.

Evidence for this section
  • “A 9ct gold half-hunter pocket watch, by Helvetia,”
  • “White dial with black Roman numerals, signed 'HELVETIA' under 12 o'clock.”
  • “Dial perimeter at 6 o'clock bears the text 'SWISS MADE'.”

Case Configuration and Dial Design

Visual observation indicates a half-hunter case layout with a front hinged lid that includes a circular central glazed viewing aperture. The pendant neck, winding crown, and rounded bow are situated at the 3 o'clock position relative to the dial. A stamped mark or hallmark is visible on the pendant neck, though it remains indistinct in the photograph.

The white dial features black Roman numerals, blued steel double-spade hour and minute hands, and an inset subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock. This register is calibrated with increments of ten and fitted with a matching blued steel pointer.

Evidence for this section
  • “Front hinged lid features a circular central glazed viewing aperture.”
  • “Pendant neck, winding crown, and rounded bow are located at 3 o'clock relative to the dial orientation.”
  • “Pendant neck bears an indistinct stamped mark or hallmark.”
  • “Blued steel double-spade hour hand and blued steel minute hand.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock marked in increments of ten, with blued steel pointer.”

Unrecorded Technical Details

The single photograph shows the front view of the watch with the front cover open, leaving the movement and inner case surfaces unpictured. As a result, the internal caliber, jewel count, escapement design, and interior assay hallmarks are not recorded in this source.

The 9ct gold material specification is source-reported in the lot title and cannot be independently confirmed from the external image alone.

Evidence for this section
  • “A 9ct gold half-hunter pocket watch, by Helvetia,”
  • “Pendant neck bears an indistinct stamped mark or hallmark.”

Open research questions

  • What specific assay office, date letter, and maker marks are stamped inside the case back or cuvette?
  • What Helvetia caliber powers the watch, and what are its mechanical specifications?
  • What are the physical dimensions and total weight of the watch?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Helvetia 9ct gold half-hunter pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerHelvetia“by Helvetia,”
Case material9ct gold“A 9ct gold half-hunter pocket watch”
Watch styleHalf-hunter pocket watch“half-hunter pocket watch”

Visible details

  • Front hinged lid features a circular central glazed viewing aperture.
  • White dial with black Roman numerals, signed 'HELVETIA' under 12 o'clock.
  • Subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock marked in increments of ten, with blued steel pointer.
  • Blued steel double-spade hour hand and blued steel minute hand.
  • Dial perimeter at 6 o'clock bears the text 'SWISS MADE'.
  • Pendant neck, winding crown, and rounded bow are located at 3 o'clock relative to the dial orientation.
  • Pendant neck bears an indistinct stamped mark or hallmark.

Research qualifications

  • The source description provides minimal text beyond the lot title.
  • Movement type, jewel count, caliber, and inner case hallmarks are not described or shown in the source.
  • Case material of 9ct gold is source-reported and not independently verifiable from the single photograph.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : A 9ct gold half-hunter pocket watch, by Helvetia,

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 3e707946fb

Terms in this record

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

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