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What is a hunter pocket watch
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Information on hunter case pocket watches
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The hunter pocket watch, sometimes called the hunter watch, is a classic timepiece. In contrast to an open face pocket watch, the hunter case pocket watches have a hinged metal lid to cover the dial and crystal. The cover protects the crystal from being scratched, and it prevents dust from getting inside the mechanism.
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The winding stem of the hunter pocket watch is often at the 3 o’clock position. In the clockmaker’s lingo, this is called the savonette style. Thus, the hinge of the hunter pocket watch case is under 9 o’clock position.
However, modern pocket watches no longer follow this traditional trend and instead have the winding stem over 12 o’clock and the hinged lid under 6 o’clock. This is called the lepine style.
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Types of hunter pocket watches
Hunter pocket watch cases have different types:
The full hunter pocket watch
Full-hunter pocket watches often have ornately designed cases with hinged covers over the crystal. Many found full hunter pocket watches awkward to use in time keeping since the owner still has to lift the cover to look at the time.
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The half hunter pocket watch
On the other hand, half hunter pocket watches or the demi-hunter watches, have a circular window on their case. This allows the owner to view time without opening the lid.
The double hunter pocket watch
Sometimes called consular watches, these pocket watches are just similar to full hunter pocket watches except that they have an additional cover at the back of the case. The second lid can be opened to view the mechanism inside. Most double hunter pocket watches are in the lepine style.
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Double half hunter pocket watch
The features of the double hunter and the half hunter pocket watches are combined.
Double half hunter pocket watches have hinged covers at the front and back of the case, and they also have a circular glass window to view time.
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How to choose a hunter case pocket watch
The first attribute to look at hunter pocket watches is whether it is in lepine or in savonette styles? This all depends on how you are comfortable in reading time.
For first timers and for those not oriented with the savonette style, it may seem that the hunter pocket watch is “sideways” since the crown is at the 3 o’clock position. If you find this set up inconvenient, go for the lepine style.
Relatively, half hunter pocket watches are much convenient to use in timekeeping. But the full hunter cases are much preferred for customized pocket watches as monograms take up space. Consular pocket watches are well-loved for their old world charm.
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