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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Full hunter pocket watch

James McCabe 18K Gold Key Wind Full Hunter Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This 18K gold key wind full hunter pocket watch by James McCabe carries a London hallmark for 1805. According to the auction source, the 58mm polished hinged case features an inner dust cap and is stamped RP alongside movement and case number 5685. The movement is described as a gilt full plate duplex escapement with a plain three-arm balance and diamond end stone. The white dial presents black Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position, accompanied by gilt spade hands.

Front view of the 18K gold James McCabe full hunter pocket watch with front cover opened showing the white dial
Front view of the 18K gold James McCabe full hunter pocket watch with front cover opened showing the white dial — 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
207
Source-reported date
1805
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
5685

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

The watch is catalogued by Bonhams as an 18K gold key-wind full hunter pocket watch by James McCabe, Royal Exchange, London, with a London hallmark for 1805. The case is described as polished and hinged with an inner dust cap, measuring 58mm in diameter, stamped 'RP', and bearing number 5685.

In the primary photograph, the watch is shown with its polished full hunter front cover swung open on a left-side hinge. The winding pendant and bow assembly are located at the 3 o'clock position on the case band.

Evidence for this section
  • “James McCabe, Royal Exchange, London. A fine 18K gold key wind full hunter pocket watch with duplex escapement London Hallmark for 1805”
  • “Case: Polished hinged, inner dust cap, No.5685”
  • “Signed: Dial & movement, case stamped RP”
  • “Size: 58mm”
  • “Polished full hunter case hinged on the left, shown open to display the dial.”
  • “Pendant and bow assembly located at the 3 o'clock position.”

Dial and Hands Configuration

The white dial features black Roman numeral hour markers and a black outer minute track. A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at 6 o'clock.

Directly below the 12 o'clock position, the dial is signed 'JAMES MCCABE' and marked with the number '5685'. The main time is indicated by gilt spade hands, while the subsidiary seconds hand is blued steel.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: White, black Roman numerals, black outer minute track, subsidiary seconds at 6, gilt spade hands, No.5685”
  • “Dial is signed 'JAMES MCCABE' and marked '5685' below the 12 o'clock area.”
  • “Gilt spade minute and hour hands, with a blued steel subsidiary seconds hand.”

Reported Movement and Mechanism

The auction catalogue describes the movement as a gilt full plate duplex mechanism with a plain three-arm balance, a diamond end stone, and number 5685. Both the dial and movement are stated to be signed.

Because the provided photography shows only the open front dial view, internal mechanical details—such as the duplex escapement, balance wheel, diamond end stone, and inner dust cap—are based entirely on the auctioneer's cataloguing and are not independently verifiable from the image.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: Gilt full plate duplex, plain 3-arm balance, diamond end stone, No.5685”
  • “Signed: Dial & movement, case stamped RP”

Accompaniments and Sale Context

The lot description lists a key under accompaniments, though it is not pictured in the auction image.

The catalogue notes that the watch was 'Offered on behalf of the Antiquarian Horological Society Charity'. Further mechanical running condition and timing accuracy are not recorded in the source text.

Evidence for this section
  • “Accompaniments: Key”
  • “Offered on behalf of the Antiquarian Horological Society Charity”

Open research questions

  • Which London casemaker corresponds to the 'RP' stamp on the 1805 case?
  • What specific type or era of winding key was supplied with the watch?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for James McCabe 18K Gold Key Wind Full Hunter Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Date HallmarkLondon Hallmark for 1805“Date: London Hallmark for 1805”
Movement DescriptionGilt full plate duplex, plain 3-arm balance, diamond end stone, No.5685“Movement: Gilt full plate duplex, plain 3-arm balance, diamond end stone, No.5685”
Case SpecificationPolished hinged, inner dust cap, No.5685“Case: Polished hinged, inner dust cap, No.5685”
Signatures & Case StampingDial & movement, case stamped RP“Signed: Dial & movement, case stamped RP”
Case Size58mm“Size: 58mm”
AccompanimentsKey“Accompaniments: Key”
Consignment ContextOffered on behalf of the Antiquarian Horological Society Charity“Offered on behalf of the Antiquarian Horological Society Charity”
Auction ResultSold for £8,960 inc. premium“Sold for £8,960 inc. premium”

Visible details

  • Polished full hunter case hinged on the left, shown open to display the dial.
  • White dial featuring black Roman numeral hour markers and an outer minute track.
  • Subsidiary seconds dial located at the 6 o'clock position.
  • Dial is signed 'JAMES MCCABE' and marked '5685' below the 12 o'clock area.
  • Gilt spade minute and hour hands, with a blued steel subsidiary seconds hand.
  • Pendant and bow assembly located at the 3 o'clock position.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement details, diamond end stone, and dust cap are reported by the cataloguer but not visible in the open front photograph.
  • The accompanying key is listed in the auction description but not shown.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : James McCabe, Royal Exchange, London. A fine 18K gold key wind full hunter pocket watch with duplex escapement London Hallmark for 1805

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record ed7a7e01bb

Terms in this record

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

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