Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Full hunter pocket watch

Masonic dial full hunter pocket watch

Partially verified

This circa 1910 Swiss-made full hunter pocket watch features a white enamel dial signed CRAFT, decorated with polychrome Masonic symbols in place of hour numerals. It is housed in a gold-plated case manufactured by the Illinois Watch Case Company, fitted with a hinged front cover, inner cuvette, and back cover. The watch measures 50 mm in diameter by 12 mm in depth and operates via stem winding and setting. Internally, the source reports a nickel three-quarter plate movement featuring damascening, 15 jewels, two adjustments, and a lever escapement, accompanied by blued steel hands and a subsidiary seconds dial.

Front view of the full hunter pocket watch with open cover, showing the Masonic emblem dial and blued steel hands
Front view of the full hunter pocket watch with open cover, showing the Masonic emblem dial and blued steel hands — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Full hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Craft
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
4.114 (AB-293262)
Source-reported date
circa 1910
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

Case Construction and Exterior Configuration

The pocket watch is housed in a gold-plated full hunter case documented as being manufactured by the Illinois Watch Case Company. The case measures 50 mm in width by 12 mm in depth and features a smooth, plain exterior finish. It incorporates three hinged components: an inner cover, a back cover, and a front cover described as popping open to 90 degrees when the winder is pressed.

The watch is wound and set via the stem. The source notes that the timepiece is fitted with a synthetic replacement glass rather than mineral crystal, and visible observations confirm a gold-toned fluted winding crown situated beneath an arched bow.

Evidence for this section
  • “gold plated full hunter case by the Illinois case company, which has a hinged inner, back and front cover”
  • “The front cover pops open crisply to 90 degrees when you press the winder in.”
  • “The case has a smooth plain finish”
  • “The watch measures 50mm wide x 12mm deep”
  • “The watch is stem wound / stem set.”
  • “The watch has a synthetic glass”

Masonic Dial Decoration

The white enamel dial features a full set of blued steel hands and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The hour markers are completely replaced with polychrome Masonic symbols, including a temple at the 12 o'clock position and a skull and crossbones at the 6 o'clock position.

The dial is signed 'Craft' beneath the 12 o'clock symbol. While the dealer transcript states that 'Swiss Made' appears on the upper edge of the dial, visual observation shows 'SWISS MADE' split around the bottom edge. The seller reports that a single scratch is present on the enamel surface.

Evidence for this section
  • “white enamel dial has a full set of blue steel hands and is signed “Craft””
  • “decorated with original brightly coloured Masonic symbols instead of numerals”
  • “Hour positions replaced by colorful Masonic emblems, including a temple at 12 and skull and crossbones at 6.”
  • “there is one scratch on the dial”
  • “Dial signed 'CRAFT' beneath the 12 o'clock symbol and 'SWISS MADE' split around the bottom edge.”

Reported Movement and Market Origin

Because the provided photograph illustrates only the front dial face with the hunter cover open, details of the movement rely entirely on the dealer's description. The internal calibre is recorded as a nickel three-quarter plate movement decorated with damascening and equipped with a lever escapement.

According to the source, the movement is signed '15 Jewels, 2 Adj, Swiss Made'. The listing states that the pocket watch was manufactured in Switzerland and shipped to England for retail sale.

Evidence for this section
  • “nickel ¾ plate movement has a lever escapement and is decorated with damascening”
  • “The movement is signed “15 Jewels, 2 Adj, Swiss Made””
  • “This pocket watch was made in Switzerland and sent to England where it was sold”

Open research questions

  • What specific Swiss ebauche calibre corresponds to the 15-jewel, 2-adjustment nickel three-quarter plate movement?
  • What specific case grade, trademark, or serial numbers are stamped on the interior cuvette and case back of the Illinois Watch Case Company case?
  • Does 'Craft' represent a specific Masonic supply retailer, an English importer, or a private-label trade name used by the Swiss manufacturer?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Masonic dial full hunter pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement specification15 Jewels, 2 Adj, Swiss Made“The movement is signed “15 Jewels, 2 Adj, Swiss Made””
Case makerIllinois Watch Case Company“gold plated full hunter case by the Illinois case company”
Dial inscriptionCraft“signed “Craft””
EscapementLever escapement“nickel ¾ plate movement has a lever escapement”
Dimensions50mm wide x 12mm deep“measures 50mm wide x 12mm deep”
Winding mechanismStem wound / stem set“stem wound / stem set”
Case finishSmooth plain finish“The case has a smooth plain finish”
Front cover opening actionPops open to 90 degrees when pressing the winder“The front cover pops open crisply to 90 degrees when you press the winder in.”
Crystal typeSynthetic glass“The watch has a synthetic glass”
Dial condition flawOne scratch present“there is one scratch on the dial”

Visible details

  • Front cover opened to approximately 90 degrees showing the white enamel dial.
  • Hour positions replaced by colorful Masonic emblems, including a temple at 12 and skull and crossbones at 6.
  • Blued steel spade hands and a subsidiary seconds track at 6 o'clock.
  • Gold-toned fluted winding crown with an arched bow bearing a stamped mark.
  • Dial signed 'CRAFT' beneath the 12 o'clock symbol and 'SWISS MADE' split around the bottom edge.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and interior caseback markings are not visible in the presented image.
  • The source reports a synthetic crystal replacement and a scratch on the enamel dial.

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

Consulted source

Vintage MASONIC dial full hunter pocket watch c1910 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 33e7fb2ae6

Terms in this record

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

Other full hunter pocket watch records