Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Glossary · Case & Dial

Hunter case

A pocket watch case fitted with a hinged metal lid covering the dial and crystal.

Explanation

A hunter case has a hinged metal lid over the dial, opened by pressing the crown or a catch; a half-hunter has a glazed or open centre in the lid so the time can be read with it closed. Hunters protected the glass before unbreakable crystals, and the lid was the traditional place for engraving and monograms.

In the object catalogue

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