French Half Hunter Case Triple Calendar Moon Phase Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1874
This 18K yellow gold half hunter pocket watch measures 52.3 mm in diameter and is signed 'FRENCH, ROYAL EXCHANGE, LONDON' alongside movement and case number 22'939.
The auction house dates the watch to circa 1874, reporting London hallmarks for 1874 on a heavy gold case crafted by casemaker Alfred Stram. The white enamel dial features Roman numerals, subsidiary dials for the month and continuous seconds, a retrograde date sector, an aperture for the day of the week, and a moon phase indicator below 12 o'clock. The source records a manual keyless three-quarter plate movement featuring a lateral lever escapement, bimetallic balance, blued steel overcoil balance spring, and diamond endstone.
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 triple calendar moon phase pocket watch
- Circa
- 1874
- Diameter
- 52.3 mm
- Casemaker
- Alfred Stram
- Case Material
- 18K gold
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Movement Number
- 22'939
- Maker / attribution
- French
Design
- Visible features
- • Hinged front cover opened to the left revealing an enamel dial with a semicircular moon phase indicator at the top. • Retrograde date arc positioned below the moon phase aperture, spanning from 1 to 31. • Twin subsidiary dials near 6 o'clock displaying calendar months on the left and running seconds on the right, flanking a day aperture displaying 'SAT'. • Engraved control labels reading 'DATE', 'MOON', 'HANDS', and 'WEEK' visible on the surrounding gold bezel edge.
- Case Construction and Maker Attribution
- The 18K gold case measures 52.3 mm in diameter. The cataloguer reports that the heavy gold case bears London hallmarks for 1874 and was produced by casemaker Alfred Stram (1816–1893), who worked predominantly in London after being born in Switzerland. The watch dial is signed 'French, Royal Exchange, London'. While noting that multiple watchmakers with the surname French operated near the Royal Exchange, the auction essay states that the piece was 'almost certainly made by Joseph French who was working at the Royal Exchange at this period'.
- Dial Configuration and Calendar Display
- Visual observation of the open half hunter watch shows an enamel dial with a semicircular moon phase indicator positioned at the top. Beneath the moon phase aperture is a retrograde date arc calibrated from 1 to 31. The lower portion of the dial contains two subsidiary dials flanking a rectangular day aperture displaying 'SAT'. The left subdial displays calendar months, and the right subdial tracks running seconds. Engraved control labels reading 'DATE', 'MOON', 'HANDS', and 'WEEK' are visible along the surrounding gold bezel edge.
- Reported Movement Specifications and Physical Condition
- Because the inner case and calibre are not shown in the available front-facing photograph, mechanical specifications rely entirely on the auction description. The source records a manual, keyless matte gilt three-quarter plate movement featuring a lateral lever escapement, bimetallic balance, blued steel balance spring with overcoil, and a diamond endstone. The seller's condition report notes faint hair cracks on the enamel dial, specifically between the 3 and 4 o'clock numerals extending toward the subsidiary seconds, and another crack between the subsidiary seconds dial and number 31 of the date track. The report also notes small areas of dark blue enamel missing from the outer chapter ring of the front cover.
Identification
- Serial number
- 22'939
- 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: Attribution to Joseph French is proposed as probable by the auction house rather than explicitly proven by the dial signature alone.
- Research required: Case interior, movement, and hallmarks are not visible in the primary image and rely on source documentation.