Pocket watches · Case
Pair-Cased Watches
VerifiedWatches housed in an inner case carrying the movement and an outer protective case, the pair normally hallmarked separately.
Mechanism
A protective strategy against dust and damage in the era before dust covers and tight-fitting bezels.
Typical characteristics
- Inner case pierced or apertured for winding and sound
- Outer case frequently of shagreen, tortoiseshell, horn or silver
- Two sets of hallmarks and casemaker's marks
Identification characteristics
- Compare hallmarks on inner and outer cases — matching date letters support an original pairing
- Check that winding apertures align with the movement's winding square
Collector significance
Original pairings are considerably scarcer than the surviving inner cases suggest; many outer cases are later replacements.
Known variations
- Triple-cased (often for the Ottoman market)
- Shagreen outer
- Repoussé outer
Photographs
Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.
Sources & references
- Priestley, P., Watch Case Makers of England
Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.