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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter-repeater pocket watch

James McCabe 18K yellow gold quarter-repeating hunting-case pocket watch

Partially verified

This 18K yellow gold hunting-case pocket watch by James McCabe of London dates to circa 1863 and bears serial number 03 374 on both its case and movement. Featuring a round 48.7 mm case engraved in fine-cut taille-douce patterns, it is built with an 18-lignes gilded brass three-quarter plate movement powered by a fusee and chain with a duplex escapement. The mechanism includes a quarter-repeater striking on two steel gongs via a slide positioned near 2 o'clock. Its white enamel dial displays radial Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds track at 6 o'clock, and ornate gold hands, accompanied by a decorative winding key.

Dial view of the opened 18K gold pocket watch alongside its winding key
Dial view of the opened 18K gold pocket watch alongside its winding key — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter-repeater pocket watch
Maker / attribution
James McCabe
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
101
Source-reported date
circa 1863
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
03 374

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

This pocket watch is an 18K yellow gold hunting-case watch measuring 48.7 mm in diameter, with an approximate total weight of 123 grams. The case is catalogued under number 03 374, attributed by the auction house to London casemaker Alfred Stram with a London date letter for 1863.

The cover and case back are decorated in taille-douce fine-cut engraving featuring stylized foliage and geometric patterns. Visible inspection shows engraved ornamentation around the bezel, pendant, and bow, with a repeating slide located at 2 o'clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case No. 03 374 (by Alfred Stram, London; with London letter-date for 1863)”
  • “Cover and case-back engraved in taille - douce (fine cut) with stylized foliage and geometric patterns.”
  • “Engraved decoration around the bezel, pendant, and bow”
  • “Diameter 48.7 mm.”
  • “Weight 123 gr. (approx.)”

Dial Display and Condition Notes

The white enamel dial features radial Roman numeral hour markers and a subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock. Time is indicated by yellow gold Fleur-de-Lys hands.

The dial is signed 'Jas. McCabe / Royal Exchange / London / 03374'. In the cataloguer's condition report, a hairline is noted on the dial, while the hands are described as original by the seller.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial signed 'Jas. McCabe / Royal Exchange / London / 03374'”
  • “White enamel dial with radial Roman numerals; yellow gold “Fleur-de-Lys” hands.”
  • “Hairline HANDS Original”

Reported Movement and Mechanism

The internal caliber is catalogued as an 18-ligne, gilded brass three-quarter plate movement powered by a fusee and chain, fitted with a duplex escapement. Catalogued mechanical features include a cut bimetallic compensated balance with gold poising screws, a blued steel flat hairspring, a diamond end-stone, and a polished steel index-regulator.

The quarter-repeater complication strikes on two steel gongs using two hammers and is actuated by the slide at 2 o'clock, with the repeating work placed on the main plate under the dial. Movement number 03 374 is reported to match the case and dial signatures, though internal movement components are not visible in the provided image.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement 18’’’, ¾ plate, gilded brass, fusee and chain, duplex escapement, cut bimetallic compensated balance with gold poising screws and blued steel flat hairspring, diamond end-stone, polished steel index-regulator; repeater work on the main plate, under the dial.”
  • “Quarter-repeater by two hammers on two steel gongs (activated by the slide at 2 o’clock)”
  • “Movement No. 03 374”

Winding Description and Documentation Limits

The cataloguer's text presents an internal discrepancy regarding winding: the heading lists the piece as 'keyless-winding', but the accessories list specifies an accompanying 'winding- and hand-setting gold key' alongside a traditional fusee and chain movement.

The duplex escapement, balance assembly, and repeating hammers remain hidden from view within the closed hunting case in the available photograph, relying strictly on the cataloguer's description.

Evidence for this section
  • “18K yellow gold, hunting-case, keyless-winding, round-shaped, pocket watch”
  • “Accessories winding- and hand-setting gold key”
  • “Caliber 18’’’, fusee and chain, duplex escapement”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks and maker's marks are present on the inner case covers to confirm the Alfred Stram attribution and the 1863 London date letter?
  • Does the movement wind directly through a key arbor, or does it incorporate an early keyless winding stem mechanism despite the presence of the accompanying key?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for James McCabe 18K yellow gold quarter-repeating hunting-case pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Material18K yellow gold“18K yellow gold, hunting-case, keyless-winding, round-shaped, pocket watch”
ComplicationQuarter-repeater“Quarter-repeater by two hammers on two steel gongs (activated by the slide at 2 o’clock)”
Movement Caliber18''', fusee and chain, duplex escapement“Caliber 18’’’, fusee and chain, duplex escapement”
Diameter48.7 mm“Diameter 48.7 mm.”
Case MakerAlfred Stram, London“Case No. 03 374 (by Alfred Stram, London; with London letter-date for 1863)”
Total WeightApproximately 123 g“Weight 123 gr. (approx.)”
Accompanying AccessoriesGold winding and hand-setting key“Accessories winding- and hand-setting gold key”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial signed 'Jas. McCabe / Royal Exchange / London / 03374'
  • Fleur-de-lys styled gold-tone hour and minute hands with subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock
  • Engraved decoration around the bezel, pendant, and bow
  • Ornate metal key shown beside the case

Research qualifications

  • Source text notes 'keyless-winding' in the header description but lists an accompanying winding and hand-setting key and describes a traditional fusee movement.
  • Internal repeater striking work and duplex escapement are hidden from view under the dial and within the closed movement.

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

Consulted source

James Mc Cabe Pocket watch, quarter-repeater, duplex escapement; 18K yellow gold | Only Online Auction | Geneva, September 22, 2021

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 997e336c2e

Terms in this record

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

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