1893 John Woodman Silver Half Hunter Pocket Watch - Straul & Helting Movement

Antique 1893 London Silver Half Hunter Pocket Watch by John Woodman, Straul & Helting Movement

Description
This exceptional silver half hunter pocket watch from 1893 is a fine piece of Victorian craftsmanship, with hallmarks for London and a case made by renowned silversmith John Woodman. Inside the solid silver case is a quality movement signed by Straul & Helting, London. Located on Borough High Street, Straul & Helting may have been a specialist or niche watchmaker. The half hunter style, with its distinctive case design, allows easy reading of the time through the Roman numerals on the cover, without fully opening the case—a feature appreciated among Victorian gentlemen.

John Woodman was a respected silversmith in London, known for creating high-quality silver items that reflected the craftsmanship of the Victorian era. His work, especially in pocket watch cases, was valued for its durability and elegance.
Straul & Helting operated out of London and provided high-quality movements for watches. Though less well-known than some major watchmakers, Straul & Helting’s products exhibit the precision and reliability characteristic of fine Victorian horology.

Key Details

• Case Maker: John Woodman, London
• Date Hallmark: 1893 (London silver hallmark)
• Movement Maker: Straul & Helting, Borough High Street, London
• Movement Type: Keyless lever movement, known for reliability
• Dial: White enamel dial with black Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds dial, and blued steel hands
• Case Design: Half hunter with external Roman numeral chapter ring, enabling the time to be read without opening the cover

Dimensions

• Case Diameter: 49.4 mm
• Thickness: 14.3 mm

Condition

• Movement: In good working; however, the date of last service is unknown, so servicing is recommended for optimal performance.
• Case: Good condition for its age, with some minor dents and dings as to be expected. Please note that both crystals are missing.
• Overall: An attractive and collectible pocket watch with minor signs of wear, preserving its authentic Victorian charm.

Type and Features

• Half Hunter Pocket Watch: The half hunter style combines protection with ease of use, featuring an external Roman numeral ring on the case for time reading without fully opening the watch.
• Historical Movement: Straul & Helting’s keyless lever movement represents a quality mechanism from the Victorian period, made for durability and ease of use.
• Collector’s Item: With craftsmanship from both John Woodman and Straul & Helting, this watch is a distinctive piece of horological history.

Brief Summary
A refined and collectible piece, this 1893 silver half hunter pocket watch combines the expertise of silversmith John Woodman and watchmaker Straul & Helting. Its elegant design and high-quality movement make it a desirable addition for collectors of antique watches.

As usual, this item will be packaged carefully and dispatched with tracking. International shipping is available upon request.