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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Key wind hunting case pocket watch

Rotherham & Sons 14k Gold Fusee Hunting Case Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This hunting case pocket watch by Rotherham & Sons of London is dated by the source to circa 1840. Measuring 52 mm in diameter, the 14 karat yellow gold case displays fine engine turning and engraving, with the interior signed by retailer S. Hoyt & Co., 266 Pearl St. The auctioneer reports a key wind and key set gilt plate fusee movement featuring 16 to 17 jewels, a lever escapement, diamond endstone, gold balance, hack lever, and Liverpool-style jeweling. A white enamel dial with Roman numerals is fitted beneath the covers.

Front hunting cover of the 14k yellow gold pocket watch by Rotherham & Sons
Front hunting cover of the 14k yellow gold pocket watch by Rotherham & Sons — Schmitt Horan & Co.. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Key wind hunting case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Rotherham & Sons
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
78
Source-reported date
c. 1840
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
82767

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 Decoration

The pocket watch is housed in a 52 mm hunting case constructed from 14 karat yellow gold, weighing 119.2 grams total weight according to the auction cataloguer. The outer cover exhibits concentric barleycorn engine turning centered around an unengraved heraldic cartouche framed by an engraved garter and foliate scrolling. The case band features dense circumferential reeding beneath a spherical pendant and rounded circular bow.

Internally, the case is reported by the cataloguer to be marked with an eagle mark, serial number 82767, and signed for the retailer "S. Hoyt & Co. 266 Pearl St". The cataloguer records moderate wear to the engine turning and engraving, fine surface scratches, and a shallow rice-grain-sized dent on the case back.

Evidence for this section
  • “Yellow gold hunting case exterior features concentric barleycorn engine turning.”
  • “A central blank heraldic cartouche is enclosed within an engraved garter and foliate scroll motif.”
  • “The case band displays fine, dense reeding around its circumference.”
  • “A spherical pendant and rounded circular bow are mounted at the top of the case.”
  • “signed "S. Hoyt & Co. 266 Pearl St", with eagle mark and serial number”
  • “52mm, 119.2g TW c1840”
  • “CASE: Shallow dent less than the size of a grain of rice, back; Scratches on outer surface of case; Minor scratches on inner surface of case; Engine turning / engraving with moderate wear; Precious metal content tested.”

Dial and Hands

While not shown in the primary photograph, the auctioneer describes a single-sunk white enamel dial bearing Roman numerals and the signature "Rotherhams London". The time is indicated by gold Breguet-style hands paired with a blued steel seconds hand.

Physical condition noted by the source includes very light enamel hairlines extending from 11:30 to the dial center, from the center to the subsidiary seconds register, and below the seconds area. The minute hand is documented by the seller as a replacement.

Evidence for this section
  • “with Roman numeral, single sunk, white enamel dial signed "Rotherhams London", gold Breguet style hands with blued steel seconds”
  • “Hairlines in enamel, very light, 11:30 to center, center to seconds, and below seconds. HANDS: Replaced minute.”

Movement Specifications and Reported Condition

The internal mechanism is listed by the source as a key-wind, key-set fusee movement with engraved gilt plates, attributed to Rotherham & Sons and assigned an approximate date of circa 1840. Technical features reported include 16 to 17 jewels set in the Liverpool style, a lever escapement, a diamond endstone, a gold balance, and an integrated hack lever.

The cataloguer notes that the movement was in running order at the time of cataloging (winding, setting, and ticking), but specifically reports that the hack lever does not stop the movement. Additional wear documented in the condition report includes minor scratches across the plates and isolated spots of oxidation on the mainspring setup ratchet and click.

Evidence for this section
  • “16 - 17 jewel, key wind and set, gilt plate engraved fusee movement, with lever escapement, diamond end stone, gold balance, hack lever and Liverpool style jewels”
  • “MOVEMENT PLATES: Minor scratches on plate; Mainspring set up ratchet and click have minor spots of oxidation.”
  • “MOVEMENT FUNCTION: Running order (winds, sets and ticks); Hack lever does not stop movement.”

Open research questions

  • Does the serial number 82767 appear on both the movement plates and the case interior, verifying their original pairing?
  • What specific hallmarks or assay marks accompany the reported eagle stamp and retailer inscription on the interior of the case?
  • What mechanical defect prevents the hack lever from arresting the balance wheel during operation?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rotherham & Sons 14k Gold Fusee Hunting Case Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerRotherham & Sons, London, England“Rotherham & Sons, London, England, man's pocket watch”
Movement16 - 17 jewel gilt plate engraved fusee movement“16 - 17 jewel, key wind and set, gilt plate engraved fusee movement, with lever escapement, diamond end stone, gold balance, hack lever and Liverpool style jewels”
Case Specification14 karat yellow gold hunting case signed by S. Hoyt & Co.“in a 14 karat, yellow gold, engine turned and engraved hunting case, signed "S. Hoyt & Co. 266 Pearl St", with eagle mark and serial number”
Serial Number82767“serial #82767”
Dimensions & Weight52mm, 119.2g total weight“52mm, 119.2g TW c1840”
Dial SignatureRotherhams London“dial signed "Rotherhams London"”
Retailer SignatureS. Hoyt & Co. 266 Pearl St“signed "S. Hoyt & Co. 266 Pearl St"”
Hand ConfigurationGold Breguet-style hands with blued steel seconds hand (minute replaced)“gold Breguet style hands with blued steel seconds, serial #82767”

Visible details

  • Yellow gold hunting case exterior features concentric barleycorn engine turning.
  • A central blank heraldic cartouche is enclosed within an engraved garter and foliate scroll motif.
  • The case band displays fine, dense reeding around its circumference.
  • A spherical pendant and rounded circular bow are mounted at the top of the case.

Research qualifications

  • Dial and movement are not visible in the provided photograph.
  • Source notes light hairlines in the enamel dial and a replaced minute hand.
  • Source reports that the movement is in running order but the hack lever does not stop the movement.

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: Rotherham & Sons, London, England, man's pocket watch, 16 - 17 jewel, key wind and set, gilt plate engraved fusee movement, with lever escapement, diamond end stone, gold balance, hack lever and Liverpool style jewels in a 14 karat, yellow gold,

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 828f1c0e9c

Terms in this record

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