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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Half-hunter pocket watch

Smith & Son 18k Gold Half-Hunter Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This half-hunter pocket watch, attributed to Smith & Son, London, dates to circa 1905. It features a hinged 18k gold case measuring 46mm in diameter with black enamel Roman numerals surrounding a front aperture. The source reports a white enamel dial with Roman numerals, outer minute track, blued steel hands, and subsidiary seconds. It houses a keyless winding mechanical movement with an overcoil hairspring. The reverse is decorated with the motto 'Sicut Saccita Velox', enclosing a silver cuvette inscribed 'R.C.P 1st June 1905'. An 18k gold chain with a T-bar is attached.

Front view of the closed half-hunter pocket watch showing the enamel chapter ring on the front lid and attached T-bar chain
Front view of the closed half-hunter pocket watch showing the enamel chapter ring on the front lid and attached T-bar chain — Lyon & Turnbull. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.lyonandturnbull.com
Category
Pocket watch · Half-hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Smith & Son
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
829
Source-reported date
circa 1905
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
1521146

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 and Exterior Details

The watch is housed in a hinged 18k gold case with a diameter of 46mm. The front cover features black enamel Roman numerals surrounding a central aperture.

The reverse of the case is decorated with a coat of arms accompanied by the motto 'Sicut Saccita Velox'. The watch is paired with an 18k gold chain, which includes a T-bar and stamped links.

Evidence for this section
  • “hinged 18k gold case”
  • “Diameter 46mm”
  • “black enamel Roman numerals to the outer”
  • “coat of arms ‘Sicut Saccita Velox' to the reverse”
  • “Accompanied by an 18k gold chain with each link stamped and T bar”

Dial and Visual Observations

The dial is described as white enamel with black Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and subsidiary seconds. Blued steel hands are used.

A blued spade-style hand is visible through the half-hunter window, allowing time to be read without opening the cover.

Evidence for this section
  • “white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds”
  • “blued steel hands”
  • “A blued spade-style hand is visible through the half-hunter window.”

Mechanism and Provenance

The watch contains a keyless winding mechanical movement with an overcoil hairspring. The interior features a silver cuvette inscribed 'R.C.P 1st June 1905'.

The movement is recorded as number 16831 and the case as number 1521146. The source reports the dial and movement are signed.

Evidence for this section
  • “Keyless winding mechanical movement with overcoil hairspring”
  • “silver cuvette with presentation inscription R.C.P 1st June 1905”
  • “Movement No.16831, Case No.1521146”
  • “Dial and movement signed”

Open research questions

  • Is the reported chain length of 34mm a typographical error for 34cm?
  • What is the historical significance or attribution of the motto 'Sicut Saccita Velox'?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Smith & Son 18k Gold Half-Hunter Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Number16831“Movement No.16831”
Case Number1521146“Case No.1521146”
Case Material18k gold“hinged 18k gold case”
Diameter46mm“Diameter 46mm”
InscriptionR.C.P 1st June 1905“silver cuvette with presentation inscription R.C.P 1st June 1905”
MottoSicut Saccita Velox“coat of arms ‘Sicut Saccita Velox' to the reverse”
Total Weight82g“approx. total weight 82g”
Chain Weight28g“approx. chain weight 28g”
Reported Chain Length34mm“Approx. total chain length 34mm”

Visible details

  • Front cover displays black enamel Roman hour markers encircling the central glass aperture.
  • A blued spade-style hand is visible through the half-hunter window.
  • A curb link gold-tone chain with a suspension clip and a terminal T-bar is attached to the bow.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement, dial surface underneath the cover, and reverse engraving are not visible in the provided image.
  • The source specifies chain length as 34mm, likely an erroneous transcription for 34cm.

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

Consulted source

Smith & Son, London. An 18k gold half-hunter pocket watch with 18k gold chain Movement No.16831, Case No.1521146, made circa 1905 | 3 June 2025

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record d189cb5ec1

Terms in this record

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

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