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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Glossary · Case & Dial

Hallmark

An official assay mark certifying the precious-metal standard of a case.

Explanation

British hallmarks include standard, assay-office town, date letter and maker's or sponsor's mark, so a hallmarked case can often be dated closely — dating the case, not the movement. Continental systems differ, and import marks were applied to foreign cases entering Britain from 1876.