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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Half-hunter pocket watch

Swiss Enamelled Half-Hunter Pocket Watch for the Turkish Market

Partially verified

This gold half-hunter pocket watch was manufactured in Switzerland between circa 1805 and 1815 for the Turkish market by an unknown maker. The case is decorated with red and green enamel floral motifs surrounding a central circular viewing aperture. Beneath the aperture, a white enamel dial features Turkish numerals and blued steel loop hands. The museum records describe an internal movement equipped with a verge escapement and a bridge balance cock. Belonging to The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers collection, the object is registered under number L2015-4046 and Clockmakers' Museum No. 1141.

Front view of the half-hunter pocket watch showing the enamelled front cover, central aperture, and white enamel dial with Turkish numerals
Front view of the half-hunter pocket watch showing the enamelled front cover, central aperture, and white enamel dial with Turkish numerals — Science Museum Group/The Clockmakers' Museum © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Half-hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
L2015-4046
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
c. 1805-1815
Country
Switzerland

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

Object Identity and Origin

This pocket watch is classified as a half-hunter model, manufactured in Switzerland for the Turkish market. Museum documentation provides a production date range of 1805-1815, with a reference to c.1810. The maker is recorded as unknown.

The object is part of The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers collection, held under object number L2015-4046 and Clockmakers' Museum number 1141.

Evidence for this section
  • “Watch with a half-hunter gold case, enamelled red and green, made for the Turkish market.”
  • “Made: 1805-1815 in Switzerland”
  • “Unknown maker”
  • “Clockmakers' Museum No. 1141”
  • “Object Number: L2015-4046”

Case and External Decoration

The watch features a gold half-hunter case decorated in red and green enamel. The front cover includes a central circular aperture that exposes the dial.

The bow, pendant, and case rim are finished with patterned green and red enamel decoration.

Evidence for this section
  • “Watch with a half-hunter gold case, enamelled red and green”
  • “Front cover features a central round aperture revealing the dial, encircled by light green, red, and white enamel floral motifs with gold foliate outlines.”
  • “The bow, pendant, and case rim are finished with patterned green and red enamel decoration.”

Dial and Mechanism

The white enamel dial displays Ottoman Turkish numerals. It is fitted with blued steel hands that feature circular loop details near the tips.

The internal movement consists of a verge escapement and a bridge balance cock.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial with ‘Turkish’ numerals and blued steel loop hands.”
  • “Movement with verge escapement and bridge balance cock.”

Open research questions

  • Are there hidden maker's marks on the movement or inner case back not currently visible in the provided museum record?
  • What specific technical or stylistic indicators define the 'Turkish market' watch category in the early 19th century?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Swiss Enamelled Half-Hunter Pocket Watch for the Turkish Market
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Date of manufacture1805-1815 (c. 1810)“Made: 1805-1815 in Switzerland”
Intended marketTurkish market“made for the Turkish market”
Dial numeralsTurkish numerals“White enamel dial with ‘Turkish’ numerals and blued steel loop hands.”
EscapementVerge escapement“Movement with verge escapement and bridge balance cock.”
Clockmakers' Museum numberNo. 1141“Clockmakers' Museum No. 1141”
Overall dimensions54 mm x 41 mm x 14 mm“Measurements: overall: 54 mm x 41 mm x 14 mm”
Overall Dimensions54 mm x 41 mm x 14 mm“Measurements: overall: 54 mm x 41 mm x 14 mm”
MaterialsEnamel, brass (copper, zinc alloy), steel, glass, and gold“Materials: enamel , brass (copper, zinc alloy) , steel (metal) , glass and gold (metal)”

Visible details

  • Front cover features a central round aperture revealing the dial, encircled by light green, red, and white enamel floral motifs with gold foliate outlines.
  • The bow, pendant, and case rim are finished with patterned green and red enamel decoration.
  • The white enamel dial displays Ottoman Turkish numerals and blued steel hands with circular loop details near their tips.

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement is not visible in the photograph; verge escapement and bridge balance cock are recorded by the museum.
  • Maker is unknown.

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

Consulted source

Watch with enamel case made for the Turkish market | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 1ba298431f

Terms in this record

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

Other half-hunter pocket watch records