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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 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch is attributed by Bonhams to Sir John Bennett Ltd of 65 Cheapside, London, catalogued under Lot 32 with a London hallmark for 1890. The watch is cased in yellow gold and features a front hinged cover. The white enamel dial is fitted with black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer minute track, and an auxiliary subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position, accompanied by blued steel hands and a ribbed winding crown with an arched suspension bow.

Dial and open case view of the 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch
Dial and open case view of the 18K gold keyless wind 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
32
Source-reported date
1890
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 Attribution

In Bonhams' auction listing under Lot 32, the pocket watch is catalogued under the heading 'Sir John Bennett Ltd, 65 Cheapside, London. An 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch London Hallmark for 1890'.

The cataloguing identifies the entity 'Sir John Bennett Ltd' at 65 Cheapside, London, together with an 1890 London hallmark attribution, though additional internal movement inscriptions or case details are not provided in the source excerpt.

Evidence for this section
  • “Sir John Bennett Ltd, 65 Cheapside, London. An 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch London Hallmark for 1890”
  • “Lot 32”

Case Architecture and Visible Markings

Direct visual observation records a 'Polished yellow gold case with open hinged front cover and ribbed winding crown beneath a suspension bow.'

Additionally, inspection notes 'Hallmark stamps visible on the pendant stem and inside the suspension bow.' The auction title states the case is '18K gold' with 'London Hallmark for 1890'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Polished yellow gold case with open hinged front cover and ribbed winding crown beneath a suspension bow.”
  • “Hallmark stamps visible on the pendant stem and inside the suspension bow.”
  • “London Hallmark for 1890”

Dial Display and Configuration

The dial is visually observed as a 'White enamel dial featuring black Roman numeral hour markers and blued steel hands.'

An auxiliary register is visible at the bottom of the dial, noted as a 'Subsidiary seconds dial located at the 6 o'clock position with Arabic ten-second numerals.'

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial featuring black Roman numeral hour markers and blued steel hands.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds dial located at the 6 o'clock position with Arabic ten-second numerals.”

Cataloguing Limitations

The auction entry identifies the watch as 'An 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch', but the accompanying photograph shows the front hunter cover open, leaving any exterior cover decoration or chapter ring unverified.

Internal movement characteristics, calibre specifications, jewel count, and serial numbers are not recorded in the available source text or visual record.

Evidence for this section
  • “An 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch”

Open research questions

  • Does the exterior of the closed front hunter cover feature an enamel chapter ring surrounding the central opening?
  • What specific maker's mark and assay symbols are struck on the interior of the case back and cuvette?
  • What movement calibre, escapement type, and serial markings are found on the movement beneath the cuvette?

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 Cheapside, London”
Case Material18K gold“An 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch”
Hallmark Date1890“London Hallmark for 1890”
Lot Number32“Lot 32”
Retailer Address65 Cheapside, London“Sir John Bennett Ltd, 65 Cheapside, London”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial featuring black Roman numeral hour markers and blued steel hands.
  • Subsidiary seconds dial located at the 6 o'clock position with Arabic ten-second numerals.
  • Polished yellow gold case with open hinged front cover and ribbed winding crown beneath a suspension bow.
  • Hallmark stamps visible on the pendant stem and inside the suspension bow.

Research qualifications

  • The front hunter cover is pictured open, leaving outer cover details unverified.
  • Internal movement details and serial numbering are not visible in the provided image or text excerpt.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : Sir John Bennett Ltd, 65 Cheapside, London. An 18K gold keyless wind half hunter pocket watch London Hallmark for 1890

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 620e2949f2

Terms in this record

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

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