Swiss gunmetal and sterling silver half-hunter pocket watch by General Watch Co. (Helvetia), 1903
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1895-1903, hallmarked 1903
This half-hunter pocket watch, produced by the General Watch Co. (Helvetia) in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, dates to circa 1895-1903. The timepiece features a gunmetal case paired with a sterling silver half-hunter cover, which is hallmarked Birmingham 1903 and carries the maker's mark SBW.
The cover displays a foliate monogram engraving and includes a glazed aperture allowing the dial to be viewed. The white enamel dial is accented with Roman numerals, gilt spade hands, and a blued steel subsidiary seconds hand positioned at six o'clock. Internally, the watch houses a gilt three-quarter plate lever movement, serial number 5873, equipped with a going-barrel, a club-tooth lever escapement, and a bimetallic compensation balance.
The watch is accompanied by its original burgundy leather fitted case with green velvet lining. Measuring 50mm in diameter, this timepiece reflects the high-quality production standards established by La Generale in the late nineteenth century. It is presented in working order, complete with its original travel stand.
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.
Physical characteristics
- Diameter
- 50mm
- Material
- gunmetal, sterling silver, enamel, leather
- Dimensions
- 7 x 5 cm
Technical characteristics
- Features
- going-barrel, bimetallic compensation balance
- Movement
- gilt three-quarter plate lever
- Escapement
- club-tooth lever
- Serial number
- 5873
Design
- Dial
- white enamel with Roman numerals
- Cover
- half-hunter with glazed aperture and foliate monogram
- Hands
- gilt spade, blued steel seconds
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- General Watch Co. (Helvetia)
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.