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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunting-cased keyless pocket watch

Jules Jürgensen Hunting-Cased Keyless Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This large hunting-cased pocket watch, attributed to Jules Jürgensen, Danemark, dates to circa 1885. The timepiece is constructed with an 18k pink gold case and features an enamel dial with black Roman numerals and blued steel Breguet hands. The movement is a manual-wind, 17-jewel caliber measuring 20 lignes. It utilizes a straight-line lever escapement with an elongated fork, a cut bimetallic compensation balance, and a blued steel Breguet balance spring. A notable technical feature is the patented hand-setting mechanism, which is activated by folding the bow down against the watch glass. The crown serves for winding in its standard position and for setting the hands when the bow is depressed. The watch measures 56 mm in diameter. The dial, case, and movement are all signed by the maker. The auction description reports the watch is in very good condition, with slight scratches noted on the case.

Front view of the Jules Jürgensen hunting-cased pocket watch with the case cover open, showing the dial, hands, and sub-seconds register.
Front view of the Jules Jürgensen hunting-cased pocket watch with the case cover open, showing the dial, hands, and sub-seconds register. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Hunting-cased keyless pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Jules Jürgensen
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
33
Source-reported date
Circa 1885
Source-reported place
Denmark
Source-reported serial
14309

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 Construction

The watch is housed in an 18k pink gold hunting case, measuring 56 mm in diameter. The dial is finished in white enamel and is marked with black Roman numeral hour markers and a secondary chapter ring for the seconds at the six o'clock position.

The hands are executed in blued steel in the Breguet style, providing a high-contrast aesthetic against the enamel surface. The signature "Jules Jürgensen, Copenhagen" is prominently displayed on the dial. According to the auction report, the case exhibits minor surface wear, described specifically as being slightly scratched, while the dial is classified as being in very good condition.

Evidence for this section
  • “large, 18k pink gold, manual wind hunting-cased keyless pocket watch with enamel dial, blue steel Breguet hands.”
  • “Case: 2-8 Very good Slightly scratched”
  • “Dial: 2-01 Very good”

Movement and Patented Mechanism

The timepiece is powered by a 20-ligne manual-wind movement, which contains 17 jewels. Technical specifications include a straight-line lever escapement fitted with an elongated fork. Timing is controlled by a cut bimetallic compensation balance paired with a blued steel Breguet balance spring. A large index regulator is mounted on the center bridge and includes an engraved scale.

The watch employs a patented hand-setting system developed by Jules Jürgensen. Operation requires the user to lift the glass cover and depress the pendant bow, folding it against the glass. In this specific configuration, the winding crown functions to set the hands rather than winding the mainspring. In all other positions, the crown performs its standard winding function.

Evidence for this section
  • “Caliber 20''', 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement with elongated fork, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring”
  • “Jules Jürgensen’s patented hand-setting For setting the hands, throw up the glass cover and turn the pendant bow close down upon the glass. In this position the winding crown sets the hands.”

Signatures and Grading

The object is identified by the movement and case serial number 14309. The signature of Jules Jürgensen is present across the primary horological components, including the dial, the case, and the internal movement bridge.

The auction house assigns the watch a grading of AA, indicating a 'Very good' overall condition rating. The case and dial are independently graded within their system, reflecting the preservation of the enamel dial and the integrity of the gold casing despite the noted presence of slight surface scratches.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement No. 14309”
  • “Case No. 14309”
  • “Signature Dial, case and movement”
  • “Grading System Grade: AA Very good”

Open research questions

  • Does the patent history for the folding bow mechanism correlate with specific manufacturing windows within the Jules Jürgensen output?
  • Are there secondary assembly marks within the case that confirm the case maker identity?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Jules Jürgensen Hunting-Cased Keyless Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJules Jürgensen“Brand Jules Jürgensen, Danemark”
Material18k pink gold“18k pink gold”
Diameter56 mm“Diameter 56 mm”
Movement Jewels17“17 jewels”
Movement Serial Number14309“Movement No. 14309”
Case Serial Number14309“Case No. 14309”
DateCirca 1885“Year Circa 1885”

Visible details

  • Enamel dial with black Roman numerals
  • Blued steel Breguet-style hands
  • Small seconds sub-dial at 6 o'clock
  • Hunting case style with gold bow

Research qualifications

  • Mechanism for hand-setting relies on a specific interaction with the watch glass
  • Exact extent of wear or surface degradation beyond 'slightly scratched' is not specified

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

Consulted source

JULES JÜRGENSEN, DANEMARK, PATENTED HAND-SETTING BY FOLDING BOW, 18K PINK GOLD

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 1b7cac5630

Terms in this record

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

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