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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter case pocket watch

Patek Philippe Hunter Case Pocket Watch with Key

Partially verified

Source reports describe this as an 18k yellow gold hunter case pocket watch by Patek Philippe, dated to circa 1869. Measuring 42 mm in diameter, the case features front and back covers with a guilloché pattern. The watch has a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, Breguet-style hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. It is powered by a 16-ligne key-wound lever escapement movement. Christie's notes the lot is accompanied by a winding key and an Extract from the Archives confirming production in 1869 and sale on October 25, 1871.

Patek Philippe 18k yellow gold hunter case pocket watch with open cover showing dial
Patek Philippe 18k yellow gold hunter case pocket watch with open cover showing dial — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Patek Philippe
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
157
Source-reported date
circa 1869
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

Identity and Archival Provenance

This hunter case pocket watch by Patek Philippe is catalogued by Christie's as dating to circa 1869. The lot is accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming production of the watch in 1869 and its subsequent sale on October 25, 1871, along with a winding key.

The cataloguer notes that the case is signed and numbered, and that the "remark" section of the archival extract specifically mentions guilloché decoration on both the front and back covers.

Evidence for this section
  • “Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1869 and its subsequent sale on October 25, 1871 and Winding Key”
  • “The case is signed and numbered. In the "remark" section of the extract from the archives it mentions guilloche back and front covers.”

Visible Case and Dial Characteristics

Direct observation of the open watch shows a yellow gold hunter case with the front cover hinged at the 9 o'clock position. The winding pendant and circular bow are positioned at 3 o'clock. The case material is catalogued as 18k yellow gold with a diameter of 42 mm.

The watch features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track, set with blued Breguet-style hands for hours and minutes. A sunken subsidiary seconds dial with Arabic ten-second numerals is situated at the 6 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “Yellow gold hunter case with front cover hinged at the 9 o'clock position, shown open.”
  • “White enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track.”
  • “Blued Breguet-style hands for hours and minutes.”
  • “Sunken subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock with Arabic ten-second numerals.”
  • “Winding pendant with circular bow positioned at 3 o'clock.”

Mechanism and Reported Condition

The catalog listing specifies a 16-ligne lever escapement caliber that is key wound and operates time-only functions. The movement is not visible in the primary photograph.

The auction condition report states that the watch does not wind and recommends a complete service. The report further notes that the dial has no visible cracks but does have small chipping around the edge of the subsidiary seconds cutout, while the case exhibits light scratches, a pin-sized dent in the case back, and light scratches on the dust cover, case back, and inside of the hunter case.

Evidence for this section
  • “CALIBER: 16''' Lever Escapement”
  • “The watch does not wind and we recommend a complete service.”
  • “The dial has no visible cracks but does have some small chipping around the edge of the cut out for the subsidiary seconds.”
  • “The case has a pin-sized dent in the back of the case.”

Open research questions

  • What specific movement and case numbers are inscribed on this watch, as recorded in the Extract from the Archives?
  • What mechanical obstruction or damage prevents the 16-ligne key-wound movement from winding?
  • What is the pattern and state of preservation of the guilloché engraving on the exterior covers, which is not depicted in the open-dial photograph?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Patek Philippe Hunter Case Pocket Watch with Key
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Material18k Yellow Gold“CASE MATERIAL: 18k Yellow Gold”
Diameter42mm“DIAMETER: 42mm”
DialWhite Enamel“DIAL: White Enamel”
MovementKey Wound“MOVEMENT: Key Wound”
Caliber16''' Lever Escapement“CALIBER: 16''' Lever Escapement”
Circa1869“CIRCA: 1869”
Accompanying ItemsExtract from the Archives and Winding Key“ACCESSORIES: Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming production of the present watch in 1869 and its subsequent sale on October 25, 1871 and Winding Key”
Reported Sale DateOctober 25, 1871“subsequent sale on October 25, 1871”

Visible details

  • Yellow gold hunter case with front cover hinged at the 9 o'clock position, shown open.
  • White enamel dial with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track.
  • Blued Breguet-style hands for hours and minutes.
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock with Arabic ten-second numerals.
  • Winding pendant with circular bow positioned at 3 o'clock.

Research qualifications

  • Guilloché case exterior and movement are not visible in the primary photograph.
  • Source notes the watch does not wind and recommends a complete service.
  • Source condition report notes small chipping around the edge of the subsidiary seconds cutout.

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

Consulted source

PATEK PHILIPPE HUNTER CASE POCKET WATCH WITH KEY, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record dd40a08688

Terms in this record

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

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