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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Half hunter pocket watch

Victor Kullberg Silver Half Hunter Keyless Lever Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This English silver half hunter pocket watch is attributed by the source to Victor Kullberg of London, dating to circa the 1890s. With a silver case measuring 52 mm in diameter, the listing states the case was made by Fred Toms with maker's mark 'FT' and English hallmarks, carrying an inner cover inscription from 1897. The white enamel dial is signed VICTOR KULLBERG LONDON and displays Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, blued steel spade hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The seller reports it contains a keyless lever full plate movement with a tourbillon-style bridge and a diamond endstone.

Dial and open front case of the Victor Kullberg silver half hunter pocket watch
Dial and open front case of the Victor Kullberg silver half hunter pocket watch — Watch Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
watchmuseum.org
Category
Pocket watch · Half hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Victor Kullberg
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
c. 1890s
Country
England

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

Dial and Visual Presentation

The watch features a white enamel dial signed 'VICTOR KULLBERG LONDON' beneath 12 o'clock. Visible elements include black Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock.

The handset is fashioned from blued steel, including a spade-pattern hour hand. The half hunter front cover is shown hinged open toward the left, revealing a polished silver bezel and a ribbed winding crown fitted with a bow at the 3 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel dial signed 'VICTOR KULLBERG LONDON' below 12 o'clock.”
  • “Blued steel hands including spade-pattern hour hand, paired with an outer minute track and Roman numerals.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Hinged front cover open on the left, revealing a polished silver bezel and ribbed winding crown with bow at 3 o'clock.”

Reported Case Construction and Inscriptions

According to dealer statements, the silver case measures 52 mm (2.05 in) in diameter and carries English hallmarks along with the maker's mark 'FT', attributed by the seller to casemaker Fred Toms. The dealer also reports that the outer front cover displays blue enamel Arabic numerals around the half hunter aperture.

The listing further asserts that the watch has a plain back cover and an inner cover inscribed with a date of 1897. Additionally, the source notes the watch is accompanied by an 'associated silver frame pocket watch holder'.

Evidence for this section
  • “The heavy silver half hunter case boasts blue enamel Arabic numerals on the outer front cover and a plain back cover, while the inner cover bears an inscription dating back to 1897.”
  • “The English hallmarked case and maker's mark stamped "FT" indicate that it was made by one of the finest pocket watch case makers of the time, Fred Toms.”
  • “This stunning watch comes in an associated silver frame pocket watch holder to keep it safe and sound.”
  • “Case Dimensions: Diameter: 52 mm (2.05 in)”

Movement Claims and Source Documentation

The seller describes the movement as a keyless lever full plate caliber featuring a compensated balance wheel, a diamond endstone, and a tourbillon-style bridge. However, the movement is not visible in the provided image, leaving its mechanical layout, condition, and finish unverified.

The dealer claims the piece is accompanied by manufacture and cost records obtained from the Guildhall Museum. The source text also contains internal metadata discrepancies, categorizing the period under '19th Century' while listing the 'Date of Manufacture: 21st century'. Specific movement and case serial numbers are not disclosed in the text.

Evidence for this section
  • “keyless lever full plate movement is especially noteworthy, featuring a Tourbillion-style bridge with a diamond endstone for the compensated balance wheel.”
  • “Date of Manufacture: 21st century”
  • “Period: 19th Century”
  • “This incredible pocket watch comes with all records of the manufacture and construction costs, obtained by kind permission from the Guildhall Museum.”

Open research questions

  • What specific inscription text, dates, or recipient names appear on the inner cuvette?
  • What serial numbers are stamped on the dial, movement, and case, and do they correspond with the cited Guildhall Museum ledgers?
  • Which assay office and date letter accompany the 'FT' maker's mark on the case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Victor Kullberg Silver Half Hunter Keyless Lever Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case diameter52 mm“Case Dimensions: Diameter: 52 mm (2.05 in)”
Movement descriptionKeyless lever full plate with tourbillon-style bridge“keyless lever full plate movement is especially noteworthy, featuring a Tourbillion-style bridge with a diamond endstone for the compensated balance wheel.”
Case makerFred Toms“The English hallmarked case and maker's mark stamped "FT" indicate that it was made by one of the finest pocket watch case makers of the time, Fred Toms.”
Front cover detailingBlue enamel Arabic numerals (dealer reported)“The heavy silver half hunter case boasts blue enamel Arabic numerals on the outer front cover”
Inner cover inscription date1897 (dealer reported)“while the inner cover bears an inscription dating back to 1897”
Reported accompanimentsAssociated silver frame holder and Guildhall Museum records“This stunning watch comes in an associated silver frame pocket watch holder to keep it safe and sound.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial signed 'VICTOR KULLBERG LONDON' below 12 o'clock.
  • Blued steel hands including spade-pattern hour hand, paired with an outer minute track and Roman numerals.
  • Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock.
  • Hinged front cover open on the left, revealing a polished silver bezel and ribbed winding crown with bow at 3 o'clock.

Research qualifications

  • The source text erroneously reports 'Date of Manufacture: 21st century' in its metadata table while elsewhere identifying it as 19th-century / c. 1890s.
  • Case back, inner inscription, hallmarks, and movement interior are not visible in the supplied photograph and rely entirely on dealer statements.

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

Consulted source

Victor Kullberg Silver Lever Pocket Watch - C1890s » Watch Museum: Discover The World Of Antique & Vintage Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 37679cfb96

Terms in this record

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

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