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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter case pocket watch

Waltham 14K Yellow Gold Box-Hinge Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This American pocket watch by the American Waltham Watch Company dates to circa 1887 and features a 14K yellow gold box-hinge hunter case. The source notes the exterior is decorated with engine turnings and engravings, featuring a foliate design centering an oxford frame surmounted by a crown, with one side depicting a stag in a mountain landscape. The timepiece is driven by a 15-jewel mechanical movement within a 45 mm case. Its white porcelain dial is signed 'AMERICAN WALTHAM WATCH COMPANY' and displays black Roman numerals, blued steel spade hands, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.

Dial and open box-hinge hunter case of the Waltham 14K yellow gold pocket watch
Dial and open box-hinge hunter case of the Waltham 14K yellow gold pocket watch — Renaissance Antiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.renaissanceantiques.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
American Waltham Watch Company
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
MGRE 4 P
Source-reported date
Circa 1887
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
3429799

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

Visual observation shows a white porcelain dial bearing the printed signature 'AMERICAN WALTHAM WATCH COMPANY' positioned below 12 o'clock. The dial displays black Roman numerals for the hours, an outer track for minutes, and blued steel spade hands with an auxiliary blued seconds hand set within a sunken subsidiary dial at 6 o'clock.

The hunter case is displayed open to the left, showing engraved borders along the case rim and the open box-hinge architecture. At the top, a fluted onion-style winding crown is enclosed within a rounded yellow-gold suspension bow.

Evidence for this section
  • “White porcelain dial signed 'AMERICAN WALTHAM WATCH COMPANY' below 12 o'clock.”
  • “Black Roman numerals for the hours and an outer chapter ring for minutes.”
  • “Blued steel spade hands with a blued seconds hand on a sunken subdial at 6 o'clock.”
  • “Fluted onion-style crown enclosed by a rounded yellow-gold suspension bow.”
  • “Box-hinge hunter case configuration open to the left displaying engraved rim borders.”

Case Construction and Exterior Ornamentation

The source describes the watch as housed in a 14K yellow gold box-hinge hunter case, stated to measure 45 mm and described in the dealer listing as a size 18 case. The seller notes that the box structure is believed to enhance protection and longevity for the hinge.

The exterior of the case is reported to feature engine turnings and engravings. Both the front and reverse covers are described as bearing a foliate motif centering an oxford frame surmounted by a crown, with one side left blank for engraving and the other depicting a stag in a mountain landscape.

Evidence for this section
  • “Presented in a 14K yellow gold, box-hinge hunter case. It is thought that the box structure adds protection and longevity to the hinge.”
  • “This fine example in a size 18 case is beautifully ornate with engine turnings and engravings.”
  • “Both the front and reverse are engraved with a foliate motif centering an oxford frame with a crown above.”
  • “The frame on one side is blank for personalization, while the other features a full stag in a mountain landscape.”

Movement and Verification Limits

The seller catalogues the watch with serial number 3429799 and dates it to circa 1887, driven by a 15-jewel mechanical movement. The dealer also claims the piece has received a full restoration.

Direct visual inspection is limited to the single open-dial view. The movement, inner cuvette, and interior case hallmarks are not visible in the provided photograph. Likewise, the exterior case engravings and the described stag motif cannot be verified from the image and remain solely as reported by the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Within the artistically embellished case, a 15 jewel mechanical movement powers the timepiece.”
  • “Serial #3429799”
  • “Circa 1887”
  • “This impressive American timepiece also bears a full restoration and a one-year warranty.”

Open research questions

  • What specific movement model, grade, and damaskeening pattern correspond to Waltham movement serial 3429799?
  • What case maker stamps, serial numbers, and gold purity hallmarks are struck inside the front, back, and cuvette covers?
  • Why does the source list both 'size 18' and '45mm', given that standard American 18s pocket watches typically measure approximately 44.87 mm at the movement pillar plate and substantially larger in outer case diameter?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Waltham 14K Yellow Gold Box-Hinge Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerWaltham Watch Company“expertly crafted by the highly respected Waltham Watch Company of Waltham, Massachusetts.”
Case Material14K yellow gold“Presented in a 14K yellow gold, box-hinge hunter case.”
Movement15-jewel mechanical movement“Within the artistically embellished case, a 15 jewel mechanical movement powers the timepiece.”
Serial Number3429799“Serial #3429799”
Date of ProductionCirca 1887“Circa 1887”
Case Size ClassificationSize 18, 45 mm (source-reported)“Case Size 18, 45mm”
Seller Condition NoteRestored (dealer claim)“Restored, One-Year Warranty”
SKUMGRE 4 P“SKU: MGRE 4 P”

Visible details

  • White porcelain dial signed 'AMERICAN WALTHAM WATCH COMPANY' below 12 o'clock.
  • Black Roman numerals for the hours and an outer chapter ring for minutes.
  • Blued steel spade hands with a blued seconds hand on a sunken subdial at 6 o'clock.
  • Fluted onion-style crown enclosed by a rounded yellow-gold suspension bow.
  • Box-hinge hunter case configuration open to the left displaying engraved rim borders.

Research qualifications

  • Movement and interior case hallmarks are not visible in the photograph.
  • Exterior case engravings, including the reported mountain stag scene, are not visible in the open-dial photo.

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

Consulted source

American 14K Yellow Gold Box-Hinge Pocket Watch by Waltham - Renaissance Antiques

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 0f0d176e6b

Terms in this record

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

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