Global Gemology - Rare Gems & Jewels
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POCKET WATCH CASE TYPES

Picture

There are various types of pocket watch case styles.

Scroll down to see examples of these different case types.

​open face

Open face case with threaded crystal and case back.
This vintage pocket watch has an open face case

​Open face pocket watch cases are self explanatory.  Aside from the transparent crystal, there is nothing covering the face of the pocket watch, allowing the time to be read without opening any covers.

Crystals and case backs were either hinged, threaded, or would snap into place.

hunter

Vintage L.U. Chopard 18K full hunter case pocket watch
The hunter case has a hinged front cover

​Hunter cases have a hinged cover, protecting the watch crystal and either a snap case back or a threaded, screw-down case back.

Demi hunter

Half hunter pocket watch case, 18K gold enameled, by J.W. Benson
Yellow gold and enamel demi hunter pocket watch

The demi hunter, or half hunter case, is similar to a full hunter, but has an opening in the case that acts as a window, allowing the time to be read without having to open the case.

double hunter

Double hunter pocket watch case.
American-Made double hunter pocket watch case, by Elgin

​Double hunter cases are generally the most desirable, and most costly, pocket watch case type.  They have a hinged crystal cover as well as a hinged case back, often with an additional hinged dust cover beneath.

Swing-Out

Open face swing-out pocket watch case
Open face swing-out pocket watch case

Swing-out pocket watches are a variation of an open face case.  The crystal has a hinged opening, as does the dial and movement, allowing it to "swing-out".

Pair Case

Georgian Era antique pair case pocket watch with repoussé sterling silver outer case and ornate dial, circa 1785
Georgian Era pair case pocket watch
Georgian Era antique pair case pocket watch with repoussé sterling silver outer case and ornate dial, circa 1785
Profile view of a Georgian Era, repoussé silver pair case pocket watch

Pair-cased pocket watches were common throughout the 1700s.

An inner case holds the watch movement, with an additional outer case that encloses and protects the inner case.

The outer case would provide protection from dirt and dust, since the inner cases of key-wound watches lacked such coverage.
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • SHOP
  • SERVICES
    • APPRAISALS
    • EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY
    • SELL YOUR JEWELRY
  • GEMOLOGY
    • GEM ENCYCLOPEDIA
    • THE ART OF GEMOLOGY
  • JEWELRY EDUCATION
    • DIAMOND FACTS
    • JEWELER DIRECTORY
    • JEWELRY PERIODS
    • POCKET WATCHES
    • NATIVE AMERICAN JEWELRY
  • GLOSSARY