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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter cased pocket watch

San Jose Watch Co. gold filled hunter cased pocket watch

Partially verified

This gold-filled hunter cased pocket watch is catalogued by Bonhams under lot 1081 as being by the San Jose Watch Co., California. The movement carries serial number 30657 and is reported by the auction house to be signed 'Overland Mail'. The white dial is marked 'San Jose Watch Co. SAN JOSE, CAL.' and features stylized Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at the 6 o'clock position. The case features reeded edges and a fluted crown at 3 o'clock.

Dial view of the San Jose Watch Co. hunter cased pocket watch showing the open front cover, Arabic numerals, and subsidiary seconds dial
Dial view of the San Jose Watch Co. hunter cased pocket watch showing the open front cover, Arabic numerals, and subsidiary seconds dial — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter cased pocket watch
Maker / attribution
San Jose Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1081
Source-reported date
Not established
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
30657

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 Cataloguing

In Bonhams lot 1081, this pocket watch is catalogued under the heading 'San Jose Watch Co., California. A rare gold filled hunter cased watch'. The listing records the piece as 'No. 30657' and specifies 'movement signed Overland Mail'.

The auction entry identifies the maker or retailer as San Jose Watch Co., California, though further historical details regarding the company or production volume are not set forth in the brief catalogue entry.

Evidence for this section
  • “Lot 1081”
  • “San Jose Watch Co., California. A rare gold filled hunter cased watch”
  • “No. 30657, movement signed Overland Mail”

Dial and Case Configuration

Direct observation of the front of the watch shows a white dial marked with black Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds subdial at the 6 o'clock position. The dial is signed 'San Jose Watch Co. SAN JOSE, CAL.' below the 12 o'clock hour marker.

The movement is fitted with blued steel hands, comprising openwork hour and minute hands and a baton seconds hand. It is housed in a yellow gold-tone hunter case featuring coin-edge reeding along the outer circumference, with the winding crown and suspension bow placed at 3 o'clock relative to the dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with black Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Dial signed 'San Jose Watch Co. SAN JOSE, CAL.' below the 12 o'clock position.”
  • “Blued steel hands, including openwork hour and minute hands and a baton seconds hand.”
  • “Yellow gold-tone hunter case with coin-edge reeding along the outer circumference.”
  • “Winding crown and suspension bow positioned at 3 o'clock relative to the dial.”

Movement Reporting and Documentation Limits

The auction text indicates that the movement bears number 30657 and is signed 'Overland Mail'. However, the movement itself is not depicted in the provided visual record, meaning internal characteristics such as plate layout, jewel count, and escapement type are unverified visually.

No date of manufacture, case manufacturer marks, or mechanical specifications are recorded in the auction listing, leaving those parameters unstated.

Evidence for this section
  • “No. 30657, movement signed Overland Mail”

Open research questions

  • Which manufacturer produced the movement marked 'Overland Mail' and serial number 30657 for San Jose Watch Co.?
  • What jewel count, size, and layout characterize the underlying movement?
  • What stamps, trademarks, or serial numbers appear inside the gold-filled hunter case covers?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for San Jose Watch Co. gold filled hunter cased pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Lot Number1081“Lot 1081”
Serial Number30657“No. 30657”
Movement InscriptionOverland Mail“movement signed Overland Mail”
Case Material and TypeGold filled hunter cased“gold filled hunter cased watch”
Maker / Location DescribedSan Jose Watch Co., California“San Jose Watch Co., California.”

Visible details

  • White dial with black Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.
  • Dial signed 'San Jose Watch Co. SAN JOSE, CAL.' below the 12 o'clock position.
  • Blued steel hands, including openwork hour and minute hands and a baton seconds hand.
  • Yellow gold-tone hunter case with coin-edge reeding along the outer circumference.
  • Winding crown and suspension bow positioned at 3 o'clock relative to the dial.

Research qualifications

  • Movement details and inscriptions are reported by Bonhams but not visible in the single provided dial photograph.
  • Specific production date is not provided in the source description.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : San Jose Watch Co., California. A rare gold filled hunter cased watchNo. 30657, movement signed Overland Mail

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record b50ec1c109

Terms in this record

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

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