Eastern Watch Case Co. 9ct gold half hunter pocket watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
This antique half hunter pocket watch is housed in a 9ct gold case measuring approximately 50 mm in diameter. The source reports that the case is hallmarked for Birmingham with the maker's mark 'E.W.C.Co' for the Eastern Watch Case Company, and includes a matching 9ct gold dust cover.
The front cover features a circular glazed aperture framed by an outer ring of black Roman numerals. The source states the white enamel dial is signed Criterion with black Roman numerals and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock. The internal movement is reported as a keyless 15-jewel Swiss mechanism branded Criterion with two adjustments.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Half hunter pocket watch
- Diameter
- Approx. 50 mm
- Movement
- 15-jewel Swiss mechanism, signed Criterion
- Case maker
- Eastern Watch Case Company (E.W.C.Co)
- Assay office
- Birmingham
- Total weight
- Approx. 90.6 g
- Case material
- 9ct gold
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Maker / attribution
- Eastern Watch Case Company
Design
- Visible features
- • Closed front gold cover features a central circular glazed viewing aperture. • Glazed aperture is encircled by an engraved chapter ring featuring black Roman numerals. • Ribbed winding crown and circular suspension bow situated at 12 o'clock. • Portions of the white dial and dark blued steel hands are visible through the glazed front aperture.
- Dating and Source Limitations
- There is ambiguity regarding the exact date of production. The dealer's heading declares the watch to be '19th century', whereas the descriptive text places it more broadly between the 'late 19th / early 20th century' and references 'late Victorian to Edwardian watchmaking'. Direct physical confirmation of the internal hallmark date letter, the movement calibre, and dial inscriptions is currently precluded because only the closed front exterior is illustrated. Consequently, movement specifications, case interior marks, and brand signatures rely entirely on the seller's catalogue description.
- Reported Dial and Movement Details
- Portions of a white surface and dark blued steel hands are visible through the front glazed aperture, but full dial details are obscured while the cover remains closed. The seller states the dial is white enamel bearing the signature 'Criterion', configured with black Roman numerals and a dedicated subsidiary seconds track located at 6 o'clock. The internal mechanism is not visible in the provided exterior photograph. The listing reports it to be a keyless-winding Swiss movement containing 15 jewels and marked for two adjustments, bearing the brand name 'Criterion'.
- Case Construction and Exterior Form
- The timepiece is arranged in a classic half hunter configuration executed in 9ct yellow gold. Visual inspection of the front exterior shows a polished closed lid centered with a glazed viewing aperture, surrounded by an outer chapter ring displaying black Roman numerals. The winding stem, ribbed winding crown, and circular suspension bow are mounted at the 12 o'clock position. According to the dealer documentation, the case diameter measures approximately 50 mm, with a total weight of approximately 90.6 g. The case back is reported to carry standard British assay hallmarks from Birmingham including '9' and '.375', alongside the sponsor's mark 'E.W.C.Co' for the Eastern Watch Case Company. An internal dust cover is also reported to be crafted in 9ct gold.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Dealer headline dates the watch to the 19th century, while description notes late 19th to early 20th century.
- Research required: Internal hallmarks, movement details, and dial signature 'Criterion' are concealed beneath the closed cover in this image.