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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Full hunter pocket watch

James McCabe 18ct gold full hunter pocket watch

Partially verified

This is an 18ct gold full hunter pocket watch attributed by the source to James McCabe, bearing a London hallmark for 1857. The movement is reported as numbered No.01386. The watch features an engine-turned yellow gold case, a pendant with a suspension bow, and a white dial displaying black Roman numerals and an outer minute track. Below the 12 o'clock position, the dial is signed 'Jas McCabe Royal Exchange LONDON' above a number. A subsidiary seconds dial with a blued steel hand is set at 6 o'clock.

Front view of an 18ct gold full hunter pocket watch attributed to James McCabe, with front lid open
Front view of an 18ct gold full hunter pocket watch attributed to James McCabe, with front lid open — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Pocket watch · Full hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
James McCabe
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
28
Source-reported date
1857
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
No.01386

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

This pocket watch is catalogued by the source as an 18ct gold full hunter pocket watch attributed to James McCabe, bearing a London hallmark reported for 1857.

The auction title lists the movement as numbered 'No.01386'.

Evidence for this section
  • “James McCabe. An 18ct gold full hunter pocket watch”
  • “London hallmarked for 1857, Movement numbered No.01386”

Case and External Form

The watch features a yellow gold full hunter case, shown in record photography with the front lid hinged open to expose the dial.

The outer surface of the hinged front lid displays engine-turned decoration, and a pendant and rounded bow are located at the 12 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “Yellow gold full hunter case with the front lid hinged open to reveal the dial”
  • “Outer surface of the front lid shows engine-turned decoration”
  • “Pendant and rounded bow positioned at 12 o'clock”

Dial Configuration

The white dial presents black Roman hour numerals along with an outer minute track, with a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock carrying a blued steel pointer.

The dial is inscribed across four lines: 'Jas McCabe / Royal Exchange / LONDON / 01386'.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with black Roman hour numerals and outer minute track”
  • “Subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock fitted with a blued steel pointer”
  • “Dial inscription reads 'Jas McCabe / Royal Exchange / LONDON / 01386'”

Open research questions

  • What escapement and technical specifications are present on movement No.01386?
  • What casemaker's mark or sponsor's initials accompany the 1857 London hallmark?
  • Does the movement utilize key winding or keyless stem winding?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for James McCabe 18ct gold full hunter pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker AttributionJames McCabe“James McCabe”
Case Material18ct gold“18ct gold”
Case StyleFull hunter pocket watch“full hunter pocket watch”
Hallmark Date1857“London hallmarked for 1857”
Movement NumberNo.01386“Movement numbered No.01386”
Lot Number28“Lot 28”

Visible details

  • Yellow gold full hunter case with the front lid hinged open to reveal the dial
  • Outer surface of the front lid shows engine-turned decoration
  • White dial with black Roman hour numerals and outer minute track
  • Dial inscription reads 'Jas McCabe / Royal Exchange / LONDON / 01386'
  • Subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock fitted with a blued steel pointer
  • Pendant and rounded bow positioned at 12 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement and inner case hallmarks are not visible in the supplied photograph
  • Maker attribution and hallmark date rely on auction house cataloguing

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : James McCabe. An 18ct gold full hunter pocket watchLondon hallmarked for 1857, Movement numbered No.01386

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record d2e59515c7

Terms in this record

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

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