Hunter
A hunter pocket watch (or "hunting case") is a classic timepiece featuring a spring-hinged metal cover that closes completely over the watch dial and crystal. This iconic design was originally developed in England so fox hunters could open the watch with one hand while holding their horse's reins with the other. The solid metal lid provided critical protection against dust, debris, and impacts that would otherwise shatter fragile glass or porcelain dials during rugged physical activities.
Key Design & Structural Features:
Spring-Hinged Cover: A solid metal lid snaps shut over the front dial. Pressing a release button—usually integrated directly into the winding crown—causes the cover to instantly pop open.
Anatomical Layout: Traditional antique hunter watches feature the lid hinge at the 9 o'clock position and the crown/release button at the 3 o'clock position. Modern variations often place the hinge at 6 o'clock and the crown at 12 o'clock.
Ornate Canvases: Because the outer metal lid is highly visible, full hunters became famous for featuring intricate engravings, coat of arms emblems, or smooth polished surfaces ideal for personalized initials.
The "Savonnette" Shape: In France, hunter pocket watches are widely referred to as savonnettes. This nickname stems from the French word for soap (savon), because the perfectly rounded, closed metal casing strongly resembles a smooth bar of hand soap.
Core Variations of the Hunter Style:
Beyond the traditional design, manufacturers developed several distinct evolutionary branches:
Full Hunter: The standard design featuring a completely solid, un-pierced outer front cover that entirely hides the face until opened.
Half-Hunter: Features a small central viewing window cut directly into the front metal lid. Outer hour markers are engraved around this window, allowing the wearer to check the time at a glance without physically opening the watch cover.
Double Hunter: Includes protective spring-hinged metal covers on both the front and the back of the case. Opening the back lid exposes the mechanical inner movement, often through a secondary glass exhibition window.
Double Half-Hunter: A hybrid design that combines the central viewing window of a half-hunter on the front cover with a fully opening solid lid on the back.
Key Design & Structural Features:
Spring-Hinged Cover: A solid metal lid snaps shut over the front dial. Pressing a release button—usually integrated directly into the winding crown—causes the cover to instantly pop open.
Anatomical Layout: Traditional antique hunter watches feature the lid hinge at the 9 o'clock position and the crown/release button at the 3 o'clock position. Modern variations often place the hinge at 6 o'clock and the crown at 12 o'clock.
Ornate Canvases: Because the outer metal lid is highly visible, full hunters became famous for featuring intricate engravings, coat of arms emblems, or smooth polished surfaces ideal for personalized initials.
The "Savonnette" Shape: In France, hunter pocket watches are widely referred to as savonnettes. This nickname stems from the French word for soap (savon), because the perfectly rounded, closed metal casing strongly resembles a smooth bar of hand soap.
Core Variations of the Hunter Style:
Beyond the traditional design, manufacturers developed several distinct evolutionary branches:
Full Hunter: The standard design featuring a completely solid, un-pierced outer front cover that entirely hides the face until opened.
Half-Hunter: Features a small central viewing window cut directly into the front metal lid. Outer hour markers are engraved around this window, allowing the wearer to check the time at a glance without physically opening the watch cover.
Double Hunter: Includes protective spring-hinged metal covers on both the front and the back of the case. Opening the back lid exposes the mechanical inner movement, often through a secondary glass exhibition window.
Double Half-Hunter: A hybrid design that combines the central viewing window of a half-hunter on the front cover with a fully opening solid lid on the back.