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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter pocket watch

United States Watch Co Asa Fuller hunter pocket watch

Partially verified

This antique pocket watch is dated circa 1869 by the dealer and was manufactured by the United States Watch Co of Marion, New Jersey. The watch is housed in a coin silver hunter case measuring 57 mm in diameter by 20 mm in depth, with a front lid configured to spring open to 90 degrees when pressing the stem button. The white enamel dial is signed "UNITED STATES WATCH CO" and features Roman numerals, blued steel hands, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock. According to the seller, the key-wound movement is an 11-jewel Model No 43 ½ full-plate grade signed "Asa Fuller" with a butterfly-shaped cut-out revealing the escape wheel.

Front view of the coin silver hunter pocket watch with open cover, displaying the white enamel dial signed United States Watch Co
Front view of the coin silver hunter pocket watch with open cover, displaying the white enamel dial signed United States Watch Co — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
United States Watch Co
Reference
Model No 43 ½
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA8 (AB-129955)
Source-reported date
circa 1869
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
80505

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 Construction and Exterior Presentation

The pocket watch is housed in a coin silver hunter case measuring 57 mm wide by 20 mm deep. The case features gold hinges, a hinged back, inner front, and bezel, with a front cover designed to pop open to 90 degrees when the button on the stem is depressed. The exterior exhibits a smooth plain finish featuring a crest on the front.

A bevelled mineral glass crystal covers the dial beneath the front hunter lid. The dealer reports signs of surface wear to the exterior, noting small bruises and scratches on the back cover.

Evidence for this section
  • “the movement comes in a coin silver hunter case, which has a hinged back and a hinged back, inner front and bezel. The front cover pops to 90 degrees when you press the button on the stem in.”
  • “The case has a smooth plain finish with a crest on the front and gold hinges.”
  • “signs of wear on the back with some small bruises and scratches”
  • “The watch measures 57mm wide x 20mm deep”
  • “The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”

Dial Configuration and Display

The watch features a white enamel dial signed in uppercase lettering below 12 o'clock with 'UNITED STATES WATCH CO'. Visible hour markings consist of black Roman numerals accompanied by a perimeter minute track.

Time indication is provided by blued steel hour and minute hands, along with a matching small seconds hand positioned over a sunken subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial featuring black Roman numeral hour markers and a perimeter minute track”
  • “Dial signed in small capital lettering below 12 o'clock: 'UNITED STATES WATCH CO'”
  • “Sunken subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the 6 o'clock position”
  • “Blued steel hour and minute hands and a small seconds hand”
  • “Dial – the white enamel dial has a full set of blue steel hands and is signed “United States Watch Co”.”

Movement Specifications and Reported Condition

While internal mechanism components are not visible in the provided primary photograph, the movement is described by the dealer as a key-wound and key-set 11-jewel Model No 43 ½ gilt full-plate grade. The movement incorporates a lever escapement and a distinctive 'butterfly' cutout in the plate revealing the escape wheel beneath.

According to the listing transcript, the movement is engraved 'Asa Fuller, Marion, NJ, Pat Mch 13th 66, No 80505'. Regarding running condition, the seller explicitly notes that the watch is not working and has a damaged hairspring, though it is accompanied by a vintage winding key.

Evidence for this section
  • “this is a gilt full plate, 11 Jewel model No 43 ½ movement which has a lever escapement and the famous “butterfly” cut out.”
  • “These movements are known for their “butterfly” cut outs on the full plate which reveals the escape wheel below.”
  • “The movement is signed “Asa Fuller, Marion, NJ, Pat Mch 13th 66, No 80505”
  • “This watch has a good balance and spring but a damaged hairpsring and is NOT working.”
  • “The watch is key wound / key set and comes with a vintage key.”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks, purity marks, or case maker stamps are present on the inner case lids?
  • Does direct examination of movement serial number 80505 confirm the reported 11 jewels and gilt full-plate construction?
  • What specific restoration work is required to replace or correct the damaged hairspring?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for United States Watch Co Asa Fuller hunter pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and LocationUnited States Watch Co, Marion, NJ, USA“This pocket watch was made by the United States Watch Co, Marion, NJ, USA”
Movement InscriptionAsa Fuller, Marion, NJ, Pat Mch 13th 66, No 80505“The movement is signed “Asa Fuller, Marion, NJ, Pat Mch 13th 66, No 80505”
Movement Specification11-jewel Model No 43 ½ gilt full plate“this is a gilt full plate, 11 Jewel model No 43 ½ movement”
Case MaterialCoin silver hunter case“the movement comes in a coin silver hunter case”
Dimensions57mm wide x 20mm deep“The watch measures 57mm wide x 20mm deep”
Winding MechanismKey wound / key set“The watch is key wound / key set”
Escapement TypeLever escapement“this is a gilt full plate, 11 Jewel model No 43 ½ movement which has a lever escapement”
Plate FeatureButterfly cutout revealing the escape wheel“These movements are known for their “butterfly” cut outs on the full plate which reveals the escape wheel below.”
Crystal TypeBevelled mineral glass“The watch has a bevelled mineral glass”
Included AccessoriesVintage key“The watch is key wound / key set and comes with a vintage key.”

Visible details

  • Silver-toned metal hunter case with front cover opened to approximately 90 degrees
  • White enamel dial featuring black Roman numeral hour markers and a perimeter minute track
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the 6 o'clock position
  • Blued steel hour and minute hands and a small seconds hand
  • Dial signed in small capital lettering below 12 o'clock: 'UNITED STATES WATCH CO'
  • Pendant stem with knurled push button and round suspension bow

Research qualifications

  • Movement and movement inscriptions are not visible in the provided image
  • Dealer notes a damaged hairspring and that the watch is not currently working

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

Consulted source

Rare United States Watch Co Asa Fuller hunter pocket watch c1869 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record ba0eaff833

Terms in this record

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

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