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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Demi-hunter pocket watch

Sir John Bennett Ltd. London Demi-Hunter Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This demi-hunter pocket watch is attributed by the auction house to Sir John Bennett Ltd., London, and dated to circa 1890–1900. It is housed in an 18-karat yellow gold four-piece case measuring 53 mm in diameter. The front cover features a central aperture with an enamelled outer chapter ring bearing Roman numerals. The white dial displays black Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track with five-minute divisions, blued steel Poire hands, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. The manual-wind movement is catalogued as number 11755, and the case as number 11756 with an engraved monogram on the reverse.

Front view of Sir John Bennett Ltd. demi-hunter pocket watch with cover open
Front view of Sir John Bennett Ltd. demi-hunter pocket watch with cover open — Dobiaschofsky Auktionen AG. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Demi-hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Sir John Bennett Ltd., London
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
2762
Source-reported date
Um 1890-1900
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
11755

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 Case Construction

The timepiece is catalogued as an 18-karat yellow gold demi-hunter pocket watch attributed to Sir John Bennett Ltd., London, and dated to circa 1890–1900 ("Manufaktur: Sir John Bennett Ltd., London.", "Jahr: Um 1890-1900.", "Material: Gelbgold 18 kt."). The lot text describes a round, four-piece case measuring 53 mm in diameter ("Rundes, vierteiliges Gehäuse", "Grösse: ø 53 mm."). The front cover features a central viewing aperture with an enamelled chapter ring displaying Roman hour numerals ("Gehäusedeckel mit Sichtfenster und emailliertem Zifferblatt mit römischen Stundenziffern").

Direct visual observation confirms the central circular aperture characteristic of a demi-hunter lid, revealing polished gold surfaces and stamped hallmarks on the interior when open. Hallmark punches are also visible on the pendant stem and bow. The auction text reports an engraved monogram on the case back ("Verso graviertes Monogramm"), though this surface is not shown in the lot photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Manufaktur: Sir John Bennett Ltd., London.”
  • “Jahr: Um 1890-1900.”
  • “Material: Gelbgold 18 kt.”
  • “Grösse: ø 53 mm.”
  • “Rundes, vierteiliges Gehäuse”
  • “Gehäusedeckel mit Sichtfenster und emailliertem Zifferblatt mit römischen Stundenziffern”
  • “Verso graviertes Monogramm.”

Dial and Indication Details

The watch features a white dial with a 5-minute division track and black Roman hour numerals ("weissem Zifferblatt mit 5-Minuten-Einteilung, schwarzen römischen Stundenziffern"). In visual observation, the dial is signed 'SIR JOHN BENNETT LTD LONDON' below the 12 o'clock position.

Time is shown with blued steel pear-shaped (Poire) hands ("gebläuten Poire-Zeigern"), accompanied by a subsidiary seconds dial located at 6 o'clock ("mit Kleiner Sekunde (bei 6-Uhr)").

Evidence for this section
  • “weissem Zifferblatt mit 5-Minuten-Einteilung, schwarzen römischen Stundenziffern”
  • “gebläuten Poire-Zeigern.”
  • “mit Kleiner Sekunde (bei 6-Uhr)”

Movement Reporting and Documentation Limits

According to the auction listing, the watch is powered by a manual-wind movement catalogued as movement number 11755 ("Werk-Nr.: 11755.", "Kaliber: Handaufzug."), while the case is catalogued as number 11756 ("Gehäuse-Nr.: 11756.").

The movement is not visible in the provided photograph, leaving its layout, escapement, jewel count, and condition unverified. In addition, the cataloguer's conditions of sale specify that descriptions are based on transmitted information without liability and that all attributions, condition, and defects must be independently verified by prospective buyers.

Evidence for this section
  • “Werk-Nr.: 11755.”
  • “Gehäuse-Nr.: 11756.”
  • “Kaliber: Handaufzug.”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks and date letter appear on the pendant bow and the inside of the front lid?
  • What caliber architecture, jeweling, and escapement type are present on movement number 11755?
  • What initials are engraved in the case back monogram reported in the catalogue?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Sir John Bennett Ltd. London Demi-Hunter Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerSir John Bennett Ltd., London“Manufaktur: Sir John Bennett Ltd., London.”
DateUm 1890-1900“Jahr: Um 1890-1900.”
Movement number11755“Werk-Nr.: 11755.”
Case number11756“Gehäuse-Nr.: 11756.”
Material18 kt yellow gold“Material: Gelbgold 18 kt.”
Diameter53 mm“Grösse: ø 53 mm.”
CalibreManual wind“Kaliber: Handaufzug.”
Reference numberWithout reference number“Referenz-Nr.: Ohne Nr.”
Case reverse decorationEngraved monogram“Verso graviertes Monogramm.”

Visible details

  • Front cover features a central circular viewing aperture characteristic of a half-hunter case
  • Dial is signed 'SIR JOHN BENNETT LTD LONDON' below the 12 o'clock hour marker
  • Blued steel pear-shaped (Poire) hands and a recessed subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock
  • Hallmarks are visible on the pendant stem and bow adjacent to the fluted crown
  • Hinged outer lid reveals polished interior gold surfaces with stamped hallmarks

Research qualifications

  • Movement is not visible in the provided auction photograph
  • The case back monogram described in the auction text is not visible in the image

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: TASCHENUHR: Savonette, Sir John Bennett Ltd., London. / Pocket watch, Savonette, Sir John Bennett Ltd., London.

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 712ba281b0

Terms in this record

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