Freesprung English Minute Repeating Hunter Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
20th century
This English pocket watch is a keyless-wound minute repeater in a full hunter case. Constructed from 18-karat gold, the case features a simple, heavy surface with a recessed gold slide for chime activation, a gold pendant, and dual spring-loaded covers.
The white enamel dial displays Roman numerals with a subsidiary seconds dial and blue steel hands. The movement is a gold-plated half-plate design, configured with a raised section to accommodate the winding barrel. Its timing assembly includes a compensation balance, a blued steel overcoil balance spring without a regulator (freesprung), and a simple cock featuring a diamond endstone. The English double-roller lever escapement utilizes jeweled pallet stones, with endstones provided for both the escape and lever pivots.
A minute repeating mechanism, controlled by the side slide, strikes the time on two polished steel gongs. The watch is accompanied by a modern display box with blue leatherette finish.
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
- Dial
- White enamel
- Type
- Minute repeating pocket watch
- Maker mark
- PW inside an oval
- Case material
- 18-karat gold
- Movement type
- Keyless half-plate
- Place recorded
- England
- Escapement type
- English double-roller lever
- Striking mechanism
- Minute repeater
- Maker / attribution
- PW
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in a heavy 18-karat gold full hunter case, designed with a plain, unadorned exterior. The case is constructed with dual spring-loaded covers, which facilitate the opening of the front cover to reveal the dial. A recessed gold slide is integrated into the side of the case band to operate the repeating complication. The white enamel dial is traditional in its layout, featuring black Roman numerals for the hours. It includes a subsidiary seconds track positioned at the six o'clock mark. The hour, minute, and seconds hands are manufactured from blued steel, providing visual contrast against the white enamel background.
- Visible features
- • Case features dual spring-loaded covers • White enamel dial with subsidiary seconds at six o'clock • Recessed slide mechanism for minute repeater activation on the case edge • Blued steel hands contrasting against white enamel surface
- Marks and Presentation
- The case bears the maker mark 'PW' enclosed within an oval frame. The timepiece is supplied with a modern display box finished in blue leatherette, distinguishing it from an original period container. The manufacturing origins are attributed to England, and the watch is dated to the 20th century. No further details regarding specific workshops or hallmarking information beyond the 'PW' mark are documented in the source.
- Movement and Complications
- The movement is a gold-plated, half-plate design, utilizing a keyless winding mechanism. A distinct feature of the plate is a raised area intended to house the winding barrel. The regulating system deviates from standard practice by utilizing a freesprung configuration, which incorporates a compensation balance and a blued steel overcoil balance spring, eliminating the need for a traditional regulator index. The balance cock is fitted with a diamond endstone. The watch employs an English double-roller lever escapement, with jeweled pallet stones and endstones provided for both the escape wheel and lever pivots. The minute repeating mechanism is activated by the slide, which strikes the time on two polished steel gongs located within the case.
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: The exact identity of the maker marked 'PW' is not provided in the source
- Research required: The source describes the object as 20th century but does not provide specific manufacturing years