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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunter case pocket watch

Waltham Yellow Gold Hunter Case Pocket Watch

Partially verified

The source reports this antique yellow gold hunter case pocket watch dates to circa 1869, weighing 43.40 pennyweights and measuring 43.00 mm in diameter. It presents a white single-sunk dial signed American Watch Co., accompanied by black Roman numerals, blued steel spade hands, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. The yellow gold hunter case is described by the catalog as engine-turned with a blank cartouche and a polished cuvette. Internally, the watch is fitted with a key-wound and key-set 15-jewel gilt movement with a gold balance wheel, signed Appleton Tracy Co. Waltham.

Front view of open Waltham yellow gold hunter case pocket watch with winding key
Front view of open Waltham yellow gold hunter case pocket watch with winding key — Freeman's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
freemansauction.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunter case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
American Watch Co. / Appleton Tracy & Co. (Waltham)
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
23
Source-reported date
Circa 1869
Source-reported place
United States

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 and Exterior Construction

The timepiece is housed in a yellow gold hunter case with a diameter of 43.00 mm and a recorded weight of 43.40 dwts. The catalog describes the case as engine-turned with a blank cartouche and a polished cuvette.

Visual inspection confirms the presence of reeded or coin-edge case band detailing. The provided photographs do not show the exterior engraving or the interior cuvette.

Evidence for this section
  • “43.00 mm case diameter”
  • “43.40 dwts.”
  • “engine turned case with blank cartouche, polished cuvette”
  • “Reeded or coin-edge case band detailing”

Dial and Visual Features

The watch features a white single-sunk dial signed 'American Watch Co.' Indicators include Roman numerals, a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock, and blued steel spade hands.

The dial includes an outer track for time indication.

Evidence for this section
  • “white single-sunk dial signed American Watch Co.”
  • “Roman numerals, blue steel spade hand, subdial for seconds at 6 o'clock”

Movement and Mechanism

The watch is powered by a 15-jewel gilt movement featuring a gold balance wheel. The movement is signed 'Appleton Tracy Co. Waltham.'

The mechanism is described as key-wound and key-set, and the lot is accompanied by a standalone winding and setting key.

Evidence for this section
  • “key wound and set 15 jewel gilt movement with gold balance wheel”
  • “signed Appleton Tracy Co. Waltham”
  • “Accompanied by a standalone winding and setting key”

Open research questions

  • What is the gold karat purity of the case?
  • What is the mechanical functionality of the movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Waltham Yellow Gold Hunter Case Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Diameter43.00 mm“43.00 mm case diameter”
Dial SignatureAmerican Watch Co.“white single-sunk dial signed American Watch Co.”
MovementKey wound and set 15 jewel gilt movement with gold balance wheel“key wound and set 15 jewel gilt movement with gold balance wheel”
Movement SignatureAppleton Tracy Co. Waltham“signed Appleton Tracy Co. Waltham”
Total Weight43.40 dwts.“43.40 dwts.”
Estimated DateCirca 1869“Circa 1869”

Visible details

  • Open hunter case displaying a white dial signed 'American Watch Co.'
  • Black Roman numeral hour markers and outer track
  • Sunken subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock
  • Blued steel spade hands
  • Reeded or coin-edge case band detailing
  • Accompanied by a standalone winding and setting key

Research qualifications

  • Specific gold karat purity is not stated in the source text.
  • Engine-turned exterior decoration and internal movement are not visible in the provided open-front photograph.

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

Consulted source

A Yellow Gold Hunter Case Pocket Watch, Waltham, Circa... | Freeman's

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 2abbcea251

Terms in this record

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

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