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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter-case pocket watch

Swiss Yellow Gold Split-Seconds Chronograph with Deadbeat Seconds Hunter-Case Pocket Watch

Partially verified

According to Christie's, this circa 1875 Swiss hunter-case pocket watch is constructed with a 52 mm yellow gold case housing a keyless manual movement. The watch features split-seconds chronograph and deadbeat seconds complications. Its white enamel dial displays two separate subsidiary time registers—one with Roman numerals and the other with Arabic numerals—surrounded by a peripheral seconds track with Arabic five-minute markers and sweep chronograph hands. Flanking the winding crown at 3 o'clock are two dedicated push-pieces alongside a case-band slide lever.

Front view of the yellow gold hunter-case pocket watch with opened cover showing the white enamel dial and subsidiary dials
Front view of the yellow gold hunter-case pocket watch with opened cover showing the white enamel dial and subsidiary dials — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter-case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
210
Source-reported date
circa 1875
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

Identity and Attribution Limitations

The auction catalog attributes this hunter-case pocket watch to Switzerland with a circa 1875 date. No individual maker, workshop, or brand signature is documented in the listing.

A case number is reported on the inside cover in the condition notes, but the specific numerical digits are not transcribed in the text. Full attribution remains limited to the general Swiss origin stated by the auction house.

Evidence for this section
  • “CIRCA: 1875”
  • “Number to the inside cover.”

Case Construction and Controls

The watch is constructed with a 52 mm yellow gold hunter case. Direct observation shows the winding crown positioned at 3 o'clock flanked by two push-pieces, accompanied by a sliding lever along the case band.

The condition report notes the case to be in generally very good overall condition with very slight surface wear. The hinged front cover opens to reveal the dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE MATERIAL: Yellow gold”
  • “CASE DIAMETER: 52 mm.”
  • “Winding crown is positioned at 3 o'clock flanked by two push-pieces, with a sliding lever on the case band.”
  • “Case: In generally very good overall condition, very slight surface wear.”
  • “Hinged front hunter cover is opened to reveal the white enamel dial.”

Dial Configuration and Movement Functionality

The white enamel dial features two vertical subsidiary dials: the upper dial display uses Roman numerals and the lower dial uses Arabic numerals. Central sweep hands are present, including a fine pointer with a fleur-de-lis styled counterpoise. The auction condition report notes the dial as original, crisp, and slightly dirty.

The movement is catalogued as a keyless manual caliber featuring split-seconds chronograph and deadbeat seconds functions. According to the condition report, the movement was not ticking at the time of cataloguing, and a service was described as highly required.

Evidence for this section
  • “DIAL: White enamel”
  • “Dial features two vertical subsidiary dials: upper with Roman numerals and lower with Arabic numerals.”
  • “Central sweep hands include a fine pointer with a fleur-de-lis styled counterpoise.”
  • “Dial: Original, crisp. Slightly dirty, normal for the age of the watch.”
  • “MOVEMENT: Manual, keyless”
  • “FUNCTIONS: Split-seconds chronograph, deadbeat seconds”
  • “Movement: The movement is not ticking at the time of cataloguing. A service is highly required as the watch has not been used in a long time.”

Open research questions

  • What specific number and hallmarks are struck on the inside of the hunter cover?
  • Does the movement plate or cuvette reveal any manufacturer trademarks, patent numbers, or caliber signatures?
  • Which control actuates the deadbeat seconds mechanism versus the split-seconds chronograph?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Swiss Yellow Gold Split-Seconds Chronograph with Deadbeat Seconds Hunter-Case Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case MaterialYellow gold“CASE MATERIAL: Yellow gold”
Case Diameter52 mm“CASE DIAMETER: 52 mm.”
DialWhite enamel“DIAL: White enamel”
MovementManual, keyless“MOVEMENT: Manual, keyless”
FunctionsSplit-seconds chronograph, deadbeat seconds“FUNCTIONS: Split-seconds chronograph, deadbeat seconds”
Circa1875“CIRCA: 1875”
Case Number PresenceNumbered on inside cover (specific digits not transcribed)“Number to the inside cover.”
Movement Operational StateNot ticking at time of cataloguing; service highly required“Movement: The movement is not ticking at the time of cataloguing. A service is highly required as the watch has not been used in a long time.”
Reported Dial ConditionOriginal, crisp, slightly dirty“Dial: Original, crisp. Slightly dirty, normal for the age of the watch.”
Reported Case ConditionGenerally very good overall condition, very slight surface wear“Case: In generally very good overall condition, very slight surface wear.”

Visible details

  • Hinged front hunter cover is opened to reveal the white enamel dial.
  • Dial features two vertical subsidiary dials: upper with Roman numerals and lower with Arabic numerals.
  • Central sweep hands include a fine pointer with a fleur-de-lis styled counterpoise.
  • Winding crown is positioned at 3 o'clock flanked by two push-pieces, with a sliding lever on the case band.

Research qualifications

  • No specific maker name is recorded beyond the Swiss origin attribution.
  • Movement condition was reported as not ticking at the time of cataloguing.
  • The internal case number noted in the auction condition report is not transcribed in the listing text.

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

Consulted source

SWISS, YELLOW GOLD SPLIT-SECONDS CHRONOGRAPH WITH DEADBEAT SECONDS HUNTER-CASE POCKET WATCH, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 0747390fc2

Terms in this record

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

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