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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

A hallmark is the official struck mark certifying the precious-metal content of a case, applied by an assay office. British hallmarks include the standard mark (lion passant for sterling silver, crown and fineness for gold), the office mark and a date letter. Swiss cases carry the bear for silver and the squirrel for 14k gold, with the St Bernard head used from 1934. Hallmarks date and authenticate cases — but a genuine hallmark in a case proves nothing about the movement inside it.

In the object catalogue

Catalogued objects whose own source record mentions “Hallmark”. The quoted line shows where; it is the seller’s or museum’s wording, not independent verification.