C.1893 Seth Thomas size 18 55mm Hunter case pocket watch in pink gold filled case with elaborate engravings and a moose

Description

Antique. No box or papers.

This Seth Thomas hunting case pocket watch is over 130years old now and dates to 1893. This watch is presented in excellent condition throughout and takes about 16 winds on the crown to full power reserve. The balance beats strongly and keeps time very well.

Seth Thomas Clock company was founded in 1813, and after several successful decades they entered the watch market for 29 years between 1885-1914. By 1888, they employed 200 staffs and were producing 100 movements a day. The company remained in production until early 2000s and the trademark is still active today.

The hunter cover of this watch features the moose with heavy foliage engravings around it while the back cover features a shield for adding initials but was not taken up on this watch. Case has fine engravings throughout and foliage filligree on the case band for grip. The hinges are tight and strong while the hunter cover opens with vigour upon pressing of the crown. The bow ring is tight and everything points to light use over the passing of time.

The kiln fired, white enamel dial has double sunken layers with a small seconds and is in perfect condition. It is signed in old English font which is very attractive and has black Roman numerals with minutes in red Arabic and remains flawless so so are the blued steel spade style hands. The movement, which is the gem here wows anyone who gets a peek at it. Please open up the images and admire the remarkable American workmanship where the decoration on the movement is known as demaskeening. This skillful art has been lost in time but you can own it now.

The movement is a Model 2, Grade 197 with 15 jewels and adjusted. This was the first hunting case movement by the company and was only produced between 1888-1890 while numbering would come later and in this case, this watch was assembled around 1893.

Here’s the link to a fantastic website dedicated to this company.

Seth Thomas is better known as a clock maker and their clocks from the past two centuries can often be found in South East Asia, usually in some century-old shops, museums or antique shops but their watches are rarely ever seen so this is a very interesting find.

A top quality hunting case pocket watch with American watch making history.