Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Half hunter pocket watch

Sir John Bennett Ltd 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch

Partially verified

This is an 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch offered at Bonhams as Lot 14, documented with London hallmarks for 1892. The white dial is signed 'SIR JOHN BENNETT LIMTD LONDON' below 12 o'clock. It features elongated Roman numeral hour markers, an outer rail minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. Time is indicated by blued steel hands, including a double-spade hour hand characteristic of half hunter watches. The yellow gold case incorporates a fluted winding crown, circular pendant bow, and an open front cover hinged at 9 o'clock.

Dial and open yellow gold case of a Sir John Bennett Ltd half hunter pocket watch
Dial and open yellow gold case of a Sir John Bennett Ltd half hunter pocket watch — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Pocket watch · Half hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Sir John Bennett Ltd
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
14
Source-reported date
1892
Country
United Kingdom

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 Hallmarking

The timepiece was catalogued as Lot 14 by Bonhams, identified as an 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch from maker Sir John Bennett Ltd, 65 & 64 Cheapside, London.

The catalog title documents a London hallmark for 1892. No movement details, reference numbers, or serial numbers are reported in the available source text.

Evidence for this section
  • “Lot 14”
  • “Sir John Bennett Ltd, 65 & 64 Cheapside, London”
  • “An 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch”
  • “London Hallmark for 1892”

Dial and Indication

Visible observation shows a white enamel or painted dial signed 'SIR JOHN BENNETT LIMTD' and 'LONDON' beneath 12 o'clock. The dial displays black Roman numeral hour markers and an outer minute track.

A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at 6 o'clock with black Arabic ten-second numerals. The indications feature a blued steel double-spade hour hand and a straight blued steel minute hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel or painted dial signed 'SIR JOHN BENNETT LIMTD' and 'LONDON'”
  • “Black Roman numeral hour markers and outer minute track”
  • “Subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock with black Arabic ten-second numerals”
  • “Blued steel double-spade hour hand and straight blued steel minute hand”

Case Construction

The watch features a yellow gold case with a hinged front half hunter cover shown open at the left side.

The winding assembly consists of a fluted onion-style crown and circular pendant bow bearing small hallmark stamps on the pendant neck. Additional markings or details on the outer face of the front cover and cuvette are not recorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Yellow gold case with hinged front half hunter cover open at the left”
  • “Fluted onion-style crown and circular pendant bow bearing small hallmark stamps on the pendant neck”

Open research questions

  • What movement caliber, jewel count, and escapement type are fitted inside the case?
  • What casemaker maker's mark or sponsor initials accompany the 1892 London hallmarks on the case?
  • Does the outer front hunter cover retain an enamel chapter ring around the central reading aperture?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Sir John Bennett Ltd 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerSir John Bennett Ltd“Sir John Bennett Ltd, 65 & 64 Cheapside, London”
Case Material18K gold“An 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch”
Hallmark Date1892“London Hallmark for 1892”
Lot Number14“Lot 14”
Maker Address65 & 64 Cheapside, London“Sir John Bennett Ltd, 65 & 64 Cheapside, London”

Visible details

  • White enamel or painted dial signed 'SIR JOHN BENNETT LIMTD' and 'LONDON'
  • Black Roman numeral hour markers and outer minute track
  • Subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock with black Arabic ten-second numerals
  • Blued steel double-spade hour hand and straight blued steel minute hand
  • Yellow gold case with hinged front half hunter cover open at the left
  • Fluted onion-style crown and circular pendant bow bearing small hallmark stamps on the pendant neck

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement and inner cuvette are not visible in the provided photograph
  • The outer face and central window aperture of the front cover are angled away and not visible

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : Sir John Bennett Ltd, 65 & 64 Cheapside, London. An 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch London Hallmark for 1892

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 4127a85f4a

Terms in this record

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

Other half hunter pocket watch records